The "Direct Entry" Gamble
In the rush to secure Permanent Residence, many employers and skilled professionals attempt to bypass the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream in favor of Direct Entry (DE). The logic seems sound: "I have 3 years of experience, so why wait?" This impatience is a strategic error. While the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa—specifically the Core Skills Stream—provides a streamlined 2-year pathway to TRT, the Direct Entry stream remains a minefield of higher evidentiary thresholds.
The Department of Home Affairs applies a forensic level of scrutiny to Direct Entry nominations that does not exist for TRT. Why? Because in TRT, the applicant has a proven track record with the sponsor. In Direct Entry, that trust has not been established.
Technical Analysis: The Critical Failure Points
If you are choosing Direct Entry over TRT, you must be prepared for three specific refusal risks:
1. The "Genuine Position" Interrogation (Regulation 5.19) In a TRT application, the "Genuine Position" argument is often satisfied by the fact that the nominee has already been working in the role for two years. The need is self-evident. In Direct Entry, the Department starts from zero. They will question why a business in Joondalup or the Northern Corridor suddenly requires a permanent, highly skilled role that they haven't needed before. If the organizational chart and financial statements don't scream "necessity," the nomination fails.
2. The Skills Assessment Trap This is the most overlooked differentiator.
- TRT Stream: Generally exempts the applicant from a Migration Skills Assessment (mandatory only for specific trades or license-heavy roles).
- Direct Entry:Mandates a positive Skills Assessment for all occupations. We see countless refusals where a candidate is excellent at their job but fails the technical Skills Assessment because their overseas qualifications don't perfectly map to Australian standards. If you can't pass the assessment, DE is off the table.
The Strategic Solution: TRT vs. DE Audit
At Active Migration Australia, we do not simply "lodge forms." We conduct a comparative risk assessment.
- The TRT Strategy: If you are already on a Skills in Demand visa, it is often strategically superior to wait the full 2 years and transition via TRT. The risk profile is significantly lower, and the documentation burden is reduced.
- The DE Strategy: We only recommend Direct Entry if the candidate has an ironclad Skills Assessment and the sponsoring business has impeccable financials (verified by an accountant) that can withstand a forensic audit.
Call to Action
Do not let impatience destroy your pathway to Permanent Residence. Whether you are aiming for Direct Entry or planning a transition from the Skills in Demand visa, you need a strategy, not just a hope.
We filter out "tire kickers" and focus on clients who are ready to treat this process with the seriousness it demands.
Need Strategic Advice? We do not provide free advice via social media. To discuss your specific case with a registered agent:
Book a Consultation:https://www.activemigration.com.au/book-online
Contact Our Joondalup Office:https://www.activemigration.com.au/contact