Permanent employer-sponsored pathway
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa allows an eligible Australian employer to nominate a suitably skilled worker for permanent residence when the employer, position, stream and applicant requirements are met.
The correct pathway depends on the applicant's sponsored-employment history, occupation, skills, age, English ability and whether a labour agreement applies.
- Permanent residencelive and work in Australia indefinitely
- Employer nominationeligible employer and genuine position
- Three streamsTRT, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement
- Family inclusioneligible family members may be included
Stage 1
Understand the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
Subclass 186 is a permanent employer-sponsored visa with no regional-location requirement. The nomination and visa application must be prepared as one coordinated case.
Permanent Residence
Successful applicants can live and work in Australia permanently and may access permanent-resident benefits subject to the applicable rules.
Employer Nomination
An eligible Australian employer must nominate the applicant for a genuine full-time position under the appropriate stream.
Two-Year Employment Offer
The nominated employment is generally expected to be available for at least two years after the visa is granted.
Important: Employer nomination does not guarantee visa approval. The employer, position and applicant must each satisfy the requirements that apply to the selected stream.
Stage 2
Compare the Three Subclass 186 Streams
The stream should be selected only after checking the applicant's visa history, sponsored employment, occupation, skills assessment and any applicable exemptions or labour-agreement terms.
Temporary Residence Transition
For eligible temporary sponsored visa holders transitioning to permanent residence through their nominating employer.
- Typical pathway
- Qualifying sponsored employment with the nominating employer
- Occupation approach
- Available to eligible SID visa holders across occupations, subject to the rules
Direct Entry
For applicants who meet the Direct Entry requirements without relying on the Temporary Residence Transition pathway.
- Experience
- Generally at least three years of relevant work experience, unless exempt
- Skills assessment
- Generally required, unless an exemption applies
Labour Agreement
For workers nominated under an approved labour agreement containing a permanent-residence pathway.
- Eligibility
- Determined by the applicable agreement and nomination terms
- Possible concessions
- May address age, English, salary or experience where agreed
Stage 3
Check the Employer and Position Requirements
The employer and nominated position should be assessed before the applicant relies on the proposed permanent pathway.
Eligible Nominating Employer
The nominating business must be lawfully and actively operating and satisfy the requirements relevant to the nomination.
Genuine Full-Time Position
The nominated role must be genuine, full-time and consistent with the nature and scale of the business.
Occupation and Duties
The occupation, position description and actual duties must align with the selected stream and relevant occupational framework.
Employment Duration
The employment must generally be available for at least two years after the visa grant.
Salary and Market Rate
The salary and employment conditions must satisfy the applicable requirements and be consistent with Australian workplace standards.
Nomination Evidence
The employer should provide coherent financial, organisational and position evidence supporting the genuine need for the role.
Stage 4
Check the Applicant Requirements
Requirements vary by stream, and exemptions should never be assumed without checking the relevant legal criteria.
Age
Applicants generally must be under 45 when applying, unless an age exemption or labour-agreement concession applies.
English Language
Competent English is generally required unless a stream-specific exemption or labour-agreement concession applies.
Work Experience
Direct Entry generally requires at least three years of relevant experience; TRT depends on qualifying sponsored employment.
Skills Assessment
A suitable skills assessment is generally required for Direct Entry unless an exemption applies.
Registration and Licensing
The applicant must hold or be able to obtain any mandatory registration, licensing or professional membership required for the occupation.
Health and Character
The primary applicant and included family members must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements.
Evidence matters: Employment references, payroll records, qualifications, skills assessments, registration documents and nomination evidence should remain consistent across both applications.
Stage 5
Follow the Subclass 186 Application Process
The employer nomination and permanent visa application are separate applications, but they should be planned and prepared together.
- 1
Assess Employer, Position and Applicant
Confirm that the business, proposed role and applicant profile can support a Subclass 186 pathway.
- 2
Select the Correct Stream
Compare TRT, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement requirements before preparing the case.
- 3
Prepare the Employer Nomination
Document the business, genuine position, occupation, salary, employment terms and stream requirements.
- 4
Prepare the Visa Application
Collect the applicant's identity, age, English, skills, experience, licensing, health and character evidence.
- 5
Lodge and Coordinate Both Applications
Submit within the applicable timeframes and ensure the nomination and visa evidence remain consistent.
- 6
Respond and Receive the Outcome
Monitor both matters and respond to any lawful request for further information by the stated deadline.
Stage 6
Review the Benefits and Employer-Sponsored Resources
Subclass 186 provides permanent residence, while the related resources help compare alternative temporary, regional and labour-agreement pathways.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Review the temporary employer-sponsored pathway that may later support a TRT strategy.
Explore Subclass 482Employer Sponsored Visa Gateway
Compare permanent, temporary and regional employer-sponsored visa pathways.
Compare pathwaysCore Skills Occupation List
Review occupations relevant to Direct Entry and connected employer-sponsored pathways.
View the CSOLLabour Agreements and DAMA
Explore industry, company-specific and designated-area arrangements that may include permanent pathways.
Explore DAMA resourcesStage 7
Check Official Fees and Processing Information
Government charges and processing estimates can change. Verify the current information immediately before lodging.
Visa Pricing
Check the current visa application charge and any additional applicant charges directly with Home Affairs.
Check current visa pricingProcessing Times
Processing varies with stream, case complexity, completeness, health, character and Department workloads.
Check processing timesStage 8
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question to expand the answer.
Is Subclass 186 a permanent visa?
Yes. Subclass 186 is a permanent employer-sponsored visa. Its grant does not mean every later benefit or citizenship requirement is automatically satisfied.
Can I apply directly from outside Australia?
Potentially. The Direct Entry or Labour Agreement stream may be available from outside Australia if the employer, position and applicant meet the applicable requirements.
Can a Subclass 482 holder transition to Subclass 186?
Eligible temporary sponsored visa holders may qualify through the Temporary Residence Transition stream after meeting the sponsored-employment and other stream requirements.
How much work experience is required for Direct Entry?
Direct Entry generally requires at least three years of relevant work experience unless an exemption applies. The evidence must establish that the experience is relevant to the nominated occupation.
Do I need a skills assessment?
Direct Entry applicants generally need a suitable skills assessment unless exempt. TRT and Labour Agreement requirements differ and must be checked separately.
Does the employer have to offer employment permanently?
The nominated position must be genuine and full-time, and the employment is generally expected to be available for at least two years after visa grant. This is different from guaranteeing employment forever.
Can applicants over 45 qualify?
Applicants generally must be under 45, but prescribed exemptions or labour-agreement concessions may apply in particular circumstances.
Can eligible family members be included?
Eligible family members may be included if they satisfy the relationship, health, character and other applicable requirements.
Next step
Book an Employer Sponsored Visa Consultation
Need help choosing the correct stream or assessing the employer, nominated position and Subclass 186 evidence?
