If you work in Australia on any temporary visa, there is often a quiet hope in the back of your mind:
“Can I build a permanent life here?”
Living and working in Australia can gradually change the way people see their future. The thing that was initially working as a temporary opportunity often turns into something more meaningful. They started liking here’s work experience, lifestyle, and opportunities.
Naturally, this leads to a bigger question: “Can I move from temporary residency to permanent residency?”
The answer is “YES,” but only with the right immigration strategy, suitable experience, and employer support.
In this article, we will talk about one such case of our client who was in Australia on a 408 visa at the time she contacted Growmore Immigration, and with our help, she successfully got her 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa approval.
Client Background
Our client is holding a passport from Nepal and was working in Australia. Here are her profile and visa-related details:
- Occupation Applied For: Personal Care Assistant – ANZSCO 423313
- Location: New South Wales (NSW)
- Visa Pathway: 408 → 186 Labour Agreement Stream
- Visa Lodged: 06 June 2025
- Visa Granted: 19 February 2026
Our Structured Approach
Step 1: Understanding Her Current Visa Situation
Our client was working in Australia on the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa, which only allows her to stay in Australia for specific activities and for a specific time period, but does not provide permanent residency.
Apart from this, one important factor in her case was that she already had an employer who was willing to sponsor her.
So, after assessing her full profile and employment in Australia, we identified that the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa under the Labour Agreement stream could be a suitable pathway for her toward permanent residency.
Step 2: Labour Agreement for the Employer
As she had to apply through the labour agreement stream for a 186 visa for a personal care assistant occupation, we did a labour agreement for her employer in the aged care sector.
At this stage, detailed documentation was required, including:
- Business registration and operational documents
- Evidence of genuine need for the nominated position
- Workforce details and staffing structure
- Financial documents that demonstrate business capacity
After preparing and submitting the required documentation, the Labour Agreement was approved within approximately one month, which is a strong outcome for such applications.
Step 3: Skills Assessment
The next step was obtaining a skills assessment for the occupation of Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313). This thing helped in proving that her qualifications and work experience meet Australian occupational standards.
Our team did not underestimate this step; we made sure everything was prepared correctly and assisted with:
- Preparing detailed employment reference letters
- Organising supporting documents such as payslips and contracts
- Submit the skills assessment application with proper documentation
Step 4: Nomination and Visa Application
Once the Labour Agreement approval and skills assessment were completed, we moved to the next final stage: lodging the employer nomination and the visa application.
In employer-sponsored permanent visas, the nomination confirms several important things:
• The position is genuine
• The employer requires the worker for the role
• The salary and employment conditions meet Australian standards
• The applicant has the necessary skills and experience
After carefully preparing the required documents, we first lodged the nomination and based on that, we lodged her visa application on 6th June 2025.
Step 5: Visa Approval
After lodging the nomination and visa application, we kept a close eye on every detail to make sure the Department of Home Affairs had everything they needed.
And the result? Our client got the outcome that she was dreaming of: her Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) approval and Australian permanent residency.
This case highlights the impact of strategic planning, detailed documentation, and expert guidance. It proves that with the right approach, you can simply transform your temporary visa into PR.
What This Story Teaches About Moving From a 408 Visa to PR
Many temporary visa holders assume their options are limited. In reality, success depends on:
- Employer willingness to sponsor
- Relevant occupation and skills assessment
- Choosing the correct visa stream
- Proper documentation and immigration strategy
Considering Your Own Pathway to PR?
If you are in Australia on a Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) or any other temporary visa, it is possible to move toward permanent residency.
Eligibility depends on:
- Your occupation and skills
- Employer eligibility and willingness to sponsor
- Australian work experience
- Visa stream requirements
At Growmore Immigration, we assess every profile individually, identify the most suitable pathway, and manage the entire process to maximise your chances of success.
So, get the professional guidance now!
Email: info@growmore.one | WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021 | Phone: +61 3 8764 3334