186 Visa Australia: Employer Nomination Scheme
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa is a permanent residence pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify through the Direct Entry stream, Temporary Residence Transition stream, or Labour Agreement stream.
What Is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa?
The Subclass 186 visa allows eligible skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer to become permanent residents of Australia. Unlike the temporary subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa, the 186 visa provides permanent residence rather than a temporary period of stay.
The 186 is an employer nominated pathway rather than a points tested visa. Once granted, it allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
There are three pathways:
- Direct Entry: For eligible skilled workers who meet the occupation, experience, skills assessment, English, and other requirements.
- Temporary Residence Transition: Primarily for eligible temporary sponsored workers progressing to permanent residence.
- Labour Agreement: For workers nominated under an applicable labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government.
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186 Visa Benefits
Requirements vary by stream, but can include:
- Nomination by an eligible Australian employer
- Usually being under 45, unless exempt
- Competent English for Direct Entry and TRT
- Relevant work experience
- A positive skills assessment where required
- An eligible occupation or sponsored employment history
- Health and character requirements
How We Can Help You
- Assess which 186 visa stream may apply
- Review your age, occupation, work experience, and English eligibility
- Check skills assessment requirements
- Review your employer nomination pathway
- Identify potential issues before lodgement
- Prepare or review your visa application and supporting evidence
Which 186 Visa Stream May Apply to You?
The correct Subclass 186 pathway depends on your employment history, current visa, occupation, employer, and the type of nomination available.
Direct Entry Stream
Direct Entry may suit skilled workers who are not relying on the TRT sponsored employment pathway. Your occupation must generally be eligible under the Core Skills Occupation List, and most applicants need three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
The TRT stream is mainly for eligible temporary sponsored workers moving to permanent residence. Applicants generally need two years of eligible sponsored employment within the three years before applying and must meet the applicable visa, employer nomination, age, and English requirements.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream applies where your employer is party to an applicable labour agreement. Requirements for occupation, age, English, work experience, skills, and salary can depend on the terms of that agreement.
Step by Step
Our Process
1. Free Eligibility Check
We review your occupation, visa history, employment, English, skills, age, and employer circumstances to determine which 186 pathway may apply.
Within 48 working hours, we will provide a free written assessment of Visa options.
2. Online Consultation
Book a 75–90 minute paid online consultation to explore your visa options and get answers to all your questions.
3. Visa Application
Once you decide to proceed, we will handle the preparation and processing of your visa application.
About Our Strategy Consultation
If your initial FREE assessment is evaluated as positive you will qualify for a Strategy Consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
The Strategy Consult is:
A professional assessment by a registered migration agent
A review of your most realistic visa pathways
An explanation of timelines, risks, and trade-offs
Guidance before you invest significant time or money
The Consult is NOT:
A guarantee of eligibility or visa approval
A sales call
Generalised or automated advice
People seeking guarantees
(This saves everyone time)
35 years of experience in the migration industry
Government registered/licensed migration agents with offices in Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand)
Success oriented fee structure with instalments paid on reaching milestones in the process.
Alternative Visas
A 186 visa will not be the right pathway for every skilled worker. Depending on your occupation, employer, location, points, and visa history, other Australian skilled migration options may be available.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa
A temporary employer sponsored visa that can allow eligible skilled workers to work in Australia for an approved employer.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
An employer sponsored provisional visa for eligible skilled workers nominated for positions in designated regional areas.
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
A points tested permanent visa that does not require employer or state nomination.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
A points tested permanent residence pathway requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Competent English currently requires at least 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 51 in Writing, and 54 in Speaking. Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 use the previous score framework of 50 in each component.
The 186 visa includes a government application charge for the primary applicant, with additional charges possible for family members. Other costs may include skills assessments, English testing, health examinations, police certificates, translations, and professional migration assistance. The current Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator should be checked before lodgement.
For the TRT stream, you generally need two years of eligible sponsored employment within the three years before applying. Separately, the nominated position is intended to remain available for at least two years after visa grant. Home Affairs also expects 186 visa holders to work for their nominating employer for at least two years.
Processing times vary according to the stream and individual application. Home Affairs currently reports a median of eight months for the Skilled Permanent visa category for July 2026, although this is broader than Subclass 186 alone and does not guarantee an individual processing timeframe. Application completeness, nomination processing, document verification, and application volumes can affect timing.
Yes. A subclass 482 visa is mainly relevant to the Temporary Residence Transition stream. You may still qualify for a 186 visa through the Direct Entry stream or Labour Agreement stream if you meet the requirements for that pathway.
The 186 visa grants permanent residence, but Home Affairs expects visa holders to work for their nominating employer for at least two years. Your intention to work in the nominated position must also have been genuine when the nomination and visa were assessed.
You generally need to be under 45 when you apply for a 186 visa. Age exemptions can apply in specific circumstances, and some Labour Agreements may provide different age requirements or concessions.
Yes. Eligible partners and dependent children can generally be included in a 186 visa application if they meet the relevant relationship, health, character, and other requirements. Functional English requirements may also apply to some adult secondary applicants.
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