Blog

A recent change to Australia’s immigration regulations is set to significantly impact medical practitioners seeking permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (TRT) stream. The Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025, effective for applications lodged on or after 29 November 2025, introduce a key restriction: only employment with a sponsoring employer that is an approved Standard Business Sponsor will now count toward the two-year qualifying employment requirement. Previously, time spent working for a non-sponsoring employer could contribute to meeting this requirement. This shift is particularly consequential for general practitioners, hospital medical officers, specialist doctors, and senior executives in healthcare who have combined employment histories, as any time spent outside a sponsoring employer will no longer be recognized for TRT eligibility.

Applicants who lodge their 186 TRT application before 29 November 2025 are exempt from this new rule, as are those who have already completed the two-year requirement exclusively with an approved sponsor. However, those who cannot meet the deadline will need to consider transitioning to a sponsoring employer or ensuring their current employer becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor. The change underscores the importance of employer sponsorship, not only for securing permanent residency but also for workforce planning within healthcare institutions.

For affected medical practitioners, urgent action is advised. Lodging applications early or aligning employment with approved sponsors can safeguard eligibility. Employers, too, should review their sponsorship status to support key employees’ PR pathways. Given the potential complexity and tight timelines, consulting a registered migration agent or legal professional is strongly recommended. This regulation fundamentally removes a flexibility previously available to medical professionals and highlights the critical role of employer sponsorship in navigating Australia’s skilled migration landscape.