Get Your Permanent Residency in Australia with the Subclass 186 Visa

Apply for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa and secure a direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia through employer sponsorship.

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Visa Snapshot

Visa Type: Employer  Nomination  Scheme |Subclass 186

PR Pathway: Permanent Residency for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer

Processing Time: 3–18 months

Visa Fees:  A $4910  (Base Fee)

Nomination: Must be nominated by an approved Australian employer

Work Experience:  At least  3  years  of  relevant  work  experience

English: English  proficiency  required

Skills Assessment: Required for Direct Entry Stream

Family Inclusion: Yes, spouse  and  dependent  children can be included

Health & Character: Must meet  health  and character requirements 

🧭 Visa Overview & PR Benefits

The Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa offers skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer a direct path to permanent residency in Australia. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely, providing numerous benefits for both you and your family.

Permanent Residency granted immediately

Full Work Rights for you and your family in Australia

Access to Medicare and other social benefits

Pathway to Australian Citizenship after meeting residency requirements

No Points Test: Simplified application process

Why Apply for the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa?

The Subclass 186 Visa is the ideal option for skilled professionals looking to make a long-term impact in Australia’s workforce. With employer sponsorship, this visa offers a smooth and direct pathway to permanent residency, providing career growth and family benefits.

Key Benefits:

No Points Test: Unlike other visas, this one doesn’t require a points test for eligibility.

Direct Pathway to Permanent Residency: Secure your future in Australia with a streamlined process.

Fill Critical Skill Gaps: Contribute to Australia's growing demand for skilled professionals across key industries.

Full Work Rights: Live and work freely across Australia in your nominated occupation.

Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and dependent children along on your journey to Australia.

Visa Streams

Direct Entry Stream
Subclass 186

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream Subclass 186

Labour Agreement Stream
Subclass 186

PR Status: Permanent Residency granted upon approval.
Nomination: The applicant must be nominated by an employer that has a Labour Agreement with the Australian government.
Work Experience: No specific work experience requirement; however, the employer must demonstrate a need for the occupation as part of the Labour Agreement.
Skills Assessment: Not required for Labour Agreement Stream applicants.
Eligibility: This stream is typically used for employers who cannot find a suitable candidate from the Australian workforce and need to sponsor overseas workers.

Subclass 186 Visa Stream Comparison

Feature	Direct Entry Stream	Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream	Labour Agreement Stream
PR Status	Permanent Residency granted immediately	Permanent Residency granted after 2 years	Permanent Residency granted upon approval
Nomination	Must be nominated by an approved employer	Must be nominated by the same employer for 457/482	Employer with a Labour Agreement
Work Experience	Minimum 3 years in nominated occupation	Minimum 2 years with the same employer (on 457/482)	No specific work experience requirement
Skills Assessment	Required (positive skills assessment)	Not required	Not required
Age Limit	Under 45 years old	Under 45 years old	Under 45 years old
English Requirement	English proficiency required	English proficiency required	English proficiency required
Processing Time	3–18 months	6–24 months (2 years for PR transition)	Varies by employer and agreement
Family Inclusion	Yes, spouse and dependent children included	Yes, spouse and dependent children included	Yes, spouse and dependent children included
Skills List Requirement	Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)	No occupation list requirement	No occupation list requirement
Pathway to Citizenship	Available after meeting residency requirements	Available after meeting residency requirements	Available after meeting residency requirements

Eligibility for Subclass 186 Visa

To apply for the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria. The requirements may vary depending on which stream you apply for: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), or Labour Agreement Stream.

General Eligibility Requirements (For All Streams)

Age: Applicants must be under 45 years old at the time of application.
English Proficiency: You must meet the required English language standards (e.g., IELTS, PTE).
Health & Character: Must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
Nomination: You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for an eligible occupation.

Stream-Specific Eligibility Criteria

To learn more about the specific eligibility requirements for each stream, click on the corresponding link below:

🔍 Step-by-Step Guide for Subclass 186

Check Eligibility

Find a Sponsoring Employer

Receive Nomination from Employer

Submit Subclass 186 Application

Meet Health and Character Requirements

Visa Outcome and work as a permanent resident employer

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect Employer Nomination Details

Failure to Meet Eligibility for Work Experience

Outdated Skills Assessments (Direct Entry Stream)

Missing Required Documents (Health/Character)

Wrong ANZSCO Occupation Code

Tips for Strong Application

Ensure Employer Nomination is Correct and Complete

Meet Minimum Work Experience Requirements (for both streams)

Update Your Skills Assessments (Direct Entry applicants)

Provide All Required Health & Character Documents

Confirm ANZSCO Code Matches Your Occupation

Family Members You Can Include 🛤️ After Visa Grant

Family Members

Spouse or De Facto Partner

Dependent Children under 18

Children over 18 (if dependent)

Adopted or declared dependents

After Visa Grant

Full Work Rights

Access to Medicare

Ability to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements

Required Documents

Documents you will need to prepare:

Primary Applicant:

Passport, identity documents, skills assessment, English language test (IELTS/PTE, etc.), health & character documents

Family Members:

Proof of relationship, health & character documents

Fees & Processing Time

Type	Details & Fee (AUD)
🧾 Main Applicant	AUD 4,910
👥 Addtional Applicant 18+	AUD 2,455
👥 Addtional Applicant below 18	AUD 1,230
⏳ Processing Time	Typically 3–7 months (post-invitation)

🧰 Tools & Downloads

For Subclass 186 Visa applicants, the following resources will assist you:

Downcload Complete Subclass 186 Visa Pack

Discover

Check Your Eligibility

Discover

❓Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Subclass 186 Visa?

The Subclass 186 Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It allows workers to transition directly to permanent residency without the need for a points test.

Can I apply for Subclass 186 from offshore?

Yes, you can apply for Subclass 186 from offshore if you meet the eligibility criteria and have an employer nomination.

Can I include family members in the Subclass 186 application?

Yes, you can include your spouse and dependent children in your Subclass 186 application.

How do I transition to PR?

Once granted, you are granted permanent residency and can live and work in Australia indefinitely.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.