SUBCLASS 186 Visa
Australia’s Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) is a permanent residence visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely if they are nominated by an Australian employer. Unlike temporary work visas, the 186 visa provides full permanent‑residency benefits such as unrestricted work rights, access to Medicare, the ability to sponsor eligible relatives and a pathway to citizenship.
To qualify, applicants must satisfy strict requirements related to their occupation, skills and English level, and must be nominated by an employer for a full‑time role.
This guide explains the different streams of the 186 visa, the eligibility criteria for both employers and nominees, current government fees, processing times and how Nexor Group can assist you.
What Is The 186 Visa In Australia?
The subclass 186 visa is part of the Employer Nomination Scheme. It is designed to help Australian businesses fill long‑term skill shortages by nominating qualified foreign workers for permanent roles. To be granted the visa, you must:
1. Be nominated for a genuine, full‑time position on the relevant skilled occupation list.
2. Demonstrate the required English language proficiency, skills/qualifications and work experience.
3. Be under 45 years old, unless an exemption applies; and pass health and character requirements.
The visa has three streams, these are the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), Direct Entry (DE) and Labour Agreement.
Each stream has different eligibility criteria, which are summarised below.
1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
The TRT stream is for workers who are already in Australia on a 457 visa, 482 (TSS/SID) visa or associated bridging visa, and who have worked in the approved sponsored employment for at least two years full‑time or equivalent in the 3 years prior to your application. Key points include:
Current visa & employment: Employment must have been undertaken in Australia and in the nominated occupation with a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold(AUD76,515 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025) and the market salary rate.
Nomination timing: The employer’s nomination must be approved within six months of your visa application.
You must start work within six months of visa grant or arrival in Australia and remain with the employer for at least two years.
Permanent residence: On grant of the visa, you and your eligible family members become permanent residents immediately. You can stay and work in Australia indefinitely and travel in and out of Australia for five years.
Pathway from 482: Holders of the Skills in Demand (482) visa may transition to 186 permanent residence after two years. This is an important upgrade from the previous three‑year requirement, making the TRT stream a faster path to PR.
Who the TRT stream suits: Workers already employed in Australia on a 457 or 482 visa who meet the two‑year employment requirement.
2. Direct Entry (DE) stream
The DE stream is for skilled professionals who can demonstrate at least three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment unless exempted with an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Key Requirements include:
Skills assessment: A positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation (unless exempt); most applicants must show their qualifications and experience have been assessed by the appropriate assessing authority.
Work experience: At least three years of relevant full‑time experience at skilled level.
English proficiency: If not exempted, demonstrate competent English. For example, In Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), for test taken on or after 7 August 2025,In each of the test components, at least:47 for listening, 48 for reading, 51 for writing, 54 for speaking;
For test taken on or before 6 August 2025,In each of the 4 test components, at least 50 for each band.
Age requirement: Under 45 years at the time of application, unless you are exempted.
Permanent employment offer: A full‑time role with a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD76,515 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025) and the market salary rate.
3. Labour Agreement stream
The Labour Agreement stream is available when an employer and the Australian Government have entered into a labour agreement to address genuine skill shortages that cannot be met through the standard migration programmes. These agreements may allow concessions to age, salary, English or skills requirements.
Key aspects include:
Negotiated terms: Salary, English language requirements and age limits may differ from the standard 186 visa rules. The employer must demonstrate a strong case for each concession and show that training benchmarks have been met.
Permanent residence: Once granted, visa holders enjoy the same permanent residence benefits as other 186 streams.
If you believe your occupation or sector may suitable for 186 visa, Nexor Group can advise on your stream options and assist in liaising with the Department of Home Affairs.
Employer obligations & nomination requirements
Employers sponsoring a 186 visa must meet stringent requirements to demonstrate that the position and business are genuine:
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Operating lawfully: The business must be actively and legally operating in Australia.
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Genuine position: The nominated role must be genuine and available on a full‑time basis for at least two years.
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Market salary & training: Employers must pay at or above the annual market salary rate and meet the TSMIT (AUD 76,515 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025). They must also satisfy training obligations under the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF).
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No adverse information: There should be no adverse information about the business or its directors; compliance with immigration and workplace laws is essential.
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Nomination fee & SAF levy: Employers must pay a nomination fee plus the SAF levy, calculated at AUD 1,200 per nominee per year for businesses with turnover < AUD 10 million, or AUD 1,800 per nominee per year for larger businesses (same as the 482 visa SAF levy). Nexor Group can help estimate these costs.
186 Visa Requirements
Visa applicants must satisfy several personal requirements in addition to having a suitable employer:
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Age limit: Under 45 years at the time of application, unless exempt.
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Skills & qualifications: Hold qualifications and licensing for the nominated occupation; obtain a positive skills assessment if required. Exemptions apply to senior academics, scientists and certain medical practitioners.
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Work experience: At least three years of post‑qualification experience for the Direct Entry stream; or two years of full‑time employment with the nominating employer for the TRT stream.
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English proficiency: Meet the minimum scores for competent English (see above) or show evidence of exemption.
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Health & character: Undergo health examinations and obtain police clearance certificates.
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No outstanding debts: Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
Fees & processing times
Government fees and processing times can change annually. As of 1 July 2025, the base application fee for the subclass 186 visa increased from AUD 4,770 to AUD 4,910 for the primary applicant.
Additional charges apply for secondary applicants, and a second instalment of AUD 4,890 is payable for family members with less than functional English.
Employers also pay the SAF levy when lodging the nomination.
Processing times vary by stream, your country of passport and the complexity of the case. Recent estimates suggest that 9-18 months is typical.
Applications that are decision‑ready, with complete documentation, skills assessments and clear health and character evidence, are processed more quickly. Our specialist migration agents here at Nexor Group specialise in preparing decision‑ready cases to minimise delays.
Benefits of the 186 visa
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Permanent residence: Live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely.
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Medicare & social security: Access Australia’s public healthcare system and, after meeting eligibility requirements, certain social security benefits.
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Sponsor relatives: Once a permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
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Pathway to citizenship: After meeting residence and character requirements, you may apply for Australian citizenship.
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Job security: Employers must offer a genuine, long‑term role with market‑rate remuneration.
186 visa processing timeline (what to expect)
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Initial consultation & eligibility check: Identify the appropriate stream (TRT, DE or Labour Agreement) and confirm that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list. Nexor Group will assess your skills, qualifications and English level.
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Sponsorship & nomination: Your employer lodges a nomination demonstrating the genuine position, salary and training commitments.
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Gather documents & skills assessment: Collect evidence of qualifications, employment, English test results and police/health checks. Arrange a skills assessment if required. For the DE stream, ensure your experience totals at least three years after qualifying.
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Lodge visa application: Submit the application online within six months of nomination approval. Include all documents and pay the application fee and any second instalments.
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Await decision: The Department of Home Affairs may request further information. 186 Visa processing typically takes 9-18 months.
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Visa grant & move to PR: Once approved, you become a permanent resident immediately. Begin working for your employer within six months and continue for at least two years.
Don’t just take our word for it,
book a consultation!
Request an appointment today for your initial consultation with one of our experts. Call us on 03 9111 0009
How Nexor Group Can Help
Navigating Australia’s immigration rules can be challenging. Nexor Group is a trusted migration and education consultancy that has helped thousands of clients secure visas.
Nexor Group provides end‑to‑end support for employers and applicants, including:
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Eligibility assessments: Determine the correct stream and verify your occupation on the MLTSSL.
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Skills assessments & English testing: Coordinate skills assessments, recommend appropriate English tests and track validity periods.
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Nomination & sponsorship: Assist employers with sponsorship approval, market salary benchmarking and SAF compliance.
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Document preparation: Compile decision‑ready applications to reduce processing delays.
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Permanent residency planning: Advise on transitioning from temporary visas to permanent residence and eventual citizenship.
Contact us for a consultation or to subscribe to visa updates.
186 Visa FAQs
The 186 visa Direct Entry stream uses the Core Skills Occupation List. Typical roles include engineers, healthcare professionals, ICT specialists, teachers and tradespeople. Nexor can confirm whether your role is eligible.
Don’t just take our word for it,
book a consultation!
Request an appointment today for your initial consultation with one of our experts. Call us on 03 9111 0009
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