If you’re on a subclass 482 visa and have recently changed sponsors — or are planning to — you must follow certain rules. Breaking these rules can cause serious problems with your visa and risk your future in Australia.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Your 180-Day Countdown Starts When You Leave Your Last Sponsor​

As soon as you stop working for your last approved employer (sponsor), you have 180 days (about 6 months) to do one of these:

• Get nominated by a new approved sponsor
• Get a new visa; OR
• Leave Australia.

❌ You cannot work a second job while still sponsored by your current employer.
✅ You can only start a new job if you no longer work for your sponsor. 

Even if you’ve already started working somewhere else, the 180 days still count from the day you left your last approved sponsor, not the new job.

2. Keep Track of Your Dates

To avoid visa problems:

• Contact Milestone Migration right away when your employment ends
• If you’ve found a new employer, ask them to contact Milestone Migration to start your transfer
• Provide the exact date your employment ended (check your final payslip if unsure)
• Transfers can take 30-40 days due to Labour Market Testing (LMT),so don’t delay. 
• If it’s been close to 120 days, contact Milestone Migration urgently to start the nomination process quickly. Don’t leave it too late! 

3. Make Sure Your New Employer Knows About Your Transfer

Be careful before leaving your sponsor – some employees move to a new job and later find the employer isn’t serious about sponsoring them and they risk breaching their visa rules. Before you leave your current sponsor:

• Talk to your new employer and make sure they understand the nomination transfer process
• Ask for proof that they’ve started your nomination transfer
• Ask for proof it was lodged – sometimes employers think their Agent has submitted it, but the application was not sent

4. Do Not Go Over the 180-Day Limit

A nomination transfer must be lodged before the 180 days finish. 

If you stay in Australia without a sponsor for more than 180 days:

• Your visa may be cancelled for breaching visa conditions
• Your employer could face penalties and lose their right to sponsor
• You could lose your chance to stay in Australia

5. You Cannot Be ‘Unsponsored’ for More Than 365 Days

During your entire 482 visa period:

• You must not spend more than 365 days without a sponsor
• Changing jobs too often without getting a new sponsor can break visa rules and risk visa cancellation
• Extended period without sponsorship can also hurt your chance of getting Permanent Residency

❗IMPORTANT – Always get advice from registered migration agents or lawyers – not offshore recruiters, friends or TikTok influencers❗

Talk to a migration agent if you are unsure about your visa application. Our registered migration agents can also be found in the Department of Home Affairs Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Send us a message for a free quote or call +61 8 9463 6624

The information provided is for general use only and should NOT be taken as Migration Advice. For information about your circumstances, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Milestone Migration for immigration assistance.