Last updated: 30 March 2026

Subclass 186 Visa: Employer Nomination Scheme — Your Direct Pathway to Permanent Residency

The subclass 186 visa grants permanent residency in Australia through employer nomination rather than a competitive points test. It operates through two primary streams — Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) — each suited to different applicant situations. If you have an approved employer willing to nominate you for a skilled position, the 186 can take you directly to PR in a single application. No points score required. No invitation round to wait for.

What Is the Subclass 186 Visa?

The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. It sits alongside the employer sponsored visa Australia family as the primary route from employer sponsorship to permanent residency.

Unlike the skills-tested, points-ranked subclass 189 and 190 visas, the 186 does not use a points test. Eligibility is determined by the employer’s nomination, the applicant’s skills and English proficiency, age, and health and character requirements.

There are two main streams you should understand before you apply:

• Direct Entry stream — for skilled workers who have not previously worked for the nominating employer on a 482 visa
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream — for workers already in Australia on a subclass 482 TSS visa who are transitioning to permanent residency with the same employer

A third stream, the Labour Agreement stream, applies in specific industry arrangements negotiated between employers and the Australian government. It follows similar principles but with additional eligibility criteria tied to the relevant agreement.

The 186 is one of the most sought-after pathways for skilled workers already embedded in the Australian workforce, particularly those on temporary employer-sponsored visas who have built a relationship with their employer and want to formalise their status.

What Is the Difference Between the Direct Entry and TRT Streams?

The stream you use depends on your current visa status and your relationship with the nominating employer. Choosing the correct stream from the outset is important — applying under the wrong stream creates delays and potential refusals.

The TRT stream is the more common route for workers already in Australia. If you have been working for your employer on a 482 visa for the required period and your employer is ready to nominate you, the TRT stream is likely your clearest path. The Direct Entry stream suits workers who are being recruited directly into a permanent position without the 482 as an intermediate step.

Note: The subclass 482 is now officially titled the “Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).” References to the 482 or TSS visa throughout this guide refer to the same visa under its current name.

One important distinction: the TRT stream has specific exemptions for the age requirement that do not apply to Direct Entry. If you are close to the age threshold, this distinction could be significant to your application.

What Are the 186 Visa Requirements?

The 186 visa has requirements that apply to both you as the applicant and to your employer as the nominator. Meeting both sets of criteria is necessary for a successful application.

Age You must be under 45 years of age at the time you lodge your visa application. There are limited exemptions within the TRT stream for applicants who have held a 186, 187, or 457 visa and have been working for their employer for a significant period. The age limit does not apply to academic positions at certain educational institutions.

Skills Assessment Most Direct Entry applicants require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation. TRT applicants who had a skills assessment accepted for their 482 visa generally do not need to provide a new one, though this depends on the occupation.

English Proficiency You must demonstrate competent English. This typically means an IELTS overall score of at least 6.0 (with no band below 5.0), or equivalent scores in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Some applicants may be exempt if they hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.

Employer Nomination Your employer must have an approved nomination for the position you are applying for. The nomination must be lodged before or at the same time as your visa application. The employer must be a standard business sponsor or operate under a relevant labour agreement.

Health and Character You and your family members included in the application must meet Australian health requirements, typically assessed through an Overseas Medical Examination. Character requirements include providing police clearances from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

For a broader view of what PR eligibility looks like across all visa types, the permanent residency in Australia overview covers the full landscape.

Do You Need a Points Test for the 186 Visa?

No. The subclass 186 does not require a points test and does not use the SkillSelect expression of interest system.

This is a meaningful distinction from the 189, 190, and 491 visa pathways, which require you to submit an expression of interest, accumulate a competitive points score, and wait for an invitation round before you can apply. With the 186, there is no queue based on your points. Eligibility is assessed against fixed criteria rather than against other applicants in a competitive pool.

If your situation does not fit the employer-sponsored model — for example, if you do not have an employer willing to nominate you — a points-tested pathway may be a more appropriate option. But for workers with a committed employer, the absence of a points test is a real structural advantage of the 186.

What Does Your Employer Need to Do to Nominate You?

The nomination component of the 186 application is the employer’s responsibility. Before your visa application can proceed, your employer must complete a nomination that satisfies the Department of Home Affairs. Here is what that involves:

1. Be an approved standard business sponsor. Your employer must either hold current approval as a standard business sponsor or apply for that status as part of the nomination process. Sponsorship approval involves demonstrating that the business is lawfully operating in Australia.

2. Identify a genuine position. The employer must show that the nominated position is a real, ongoing role in their business — not a position created specifically to support a visa application. The duties of the role must match the nominated occupation.

3. Meet the salary threshold. The employer must offer a salary that meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and is consistent with what an Australian worker in the same role would be paid. Market salary rate evidence is typically required.

4. Demonstrate labour market testing (LMT) where required. For most Direct Entry nominations, the employer must provide evidence they advertised the position and were unable to fill it with an appropriately skilled Australian worker. LMT requirements can be waived in specific circumstances, including for recognised high-income positions.

5. Lodge the nomination application. The employer lodges the nomination through ImmiAccount. Once the nomination is approved (or lodged, if concurrent), you can proceed with your visa application.

6. Maintain the employment relationship during processing. The employer’s commitment is ongoing. Changes to the employment arrangement or withdrawal of the nomination during the processing period can affect the outcome of your application.

How Do You Convert a 482 Visa to PR Through the 186 TRT Stream?

The 482 to PR pathway through the 186 TRT stream is the most common route to permanent residency for workers currently on an employer sponsored visa Australia. It follows a structured sequence that both you and your employer must work through together.

Step 1: Hold a valid 482 visa with the nominating employer. You must currently hold a subclass 482 visa that was granted in relation to the employer who intends to nominate you. Work performed for a different employer does not count toward the TRT requirement.

Step 2: Complete the minimum employment period. You must have worked for the same employer in your nominated occupation for at least two years in a full-time capacity. Part-time work, leave periods, and breaks in employment can affect whether this requirement is met, so it is worth reviewing your employment history carefully before lodging.

Step 3: Your employer lodges the nomination. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, your employer lodges a 186 TRT nomination through ImmiAccount. This application includes evidence of your employment history, the ongoing nature of the role, and salary compliance.

Step 4: You lodge the 186 TRT visa application. After the nomination is lodged, you submit your visa application in ImmiAccount. Both applications can be lodged concurrently, or you can wait for nomination approval first. Your application includes identity documents, English evidence, health examinations, police certificates, and any other documents specific to your situation.

Step 5: Await the decision. The Department assesses both the nomination and the visa application. If approved, you receive permanent residency from the date of the decision.

If you are on a subclass 482 TSS visa and considering this pathway, it is worth understanding the TRT requirements in detail well before your two-year mark. Preparation time matters.

How Long Does 186 Visa Processing Take?

Processing times for the 186 visa vary by stream and fluctuate based on application volumes and departmental priorities. The following figures reflect general benchmarks and should be verified against current Department of Home Affairs data when you are planning your application.

The TRT stream has historically been processed faster than Direct Entry, partly because the employment relationship and work history are already documented and verifiable. Direct Entry applications require more substantive assessment of skills, labour market testing evidence, and the employer’s genuine need for the position.

Several factors can affect how quickly your application moves through assessment:

• Whether your application is complete at lodgement (missing documents extend timelines significantly)
• Whether health examinations are finalised promptly
• Whether the occupation or employer is subject to additional scrutiny
• Current departmental processing priorities and resource allocation

One practical consideration: your 482 visa and any associated bridging visa arrangements continue to be valid during 186 processing, so you maintain lawful status and work rights while you wait. Planning your 186 application before your 482 visa expires gives you the most stable position during the processing period.

If you want to understand how processing timelines interact with your current visa status, we cover this in more detail in the 482 to PR pathway guide.

How Much Does the 186 Visa Cost?

The subclass 186 involves both an employer-side nomination cost and an applicant-side visa application charge. Understanding both components helps you plan for the total financial commitment.

The base visa application charge for the primary applicant is $4,910. If you are including a partner and children in your application, costs increase accordingly for each additional applicant — adult secondary applicants are also charged $4,910 each.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2025-26 program year Skills assessment fees vary significantly depending on which assessing authority covers your occupation — Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS, ANMAC, and TRA all have different fee structures and processing timelines.

There is no refund of the visa application charge if the application is refused, regardless of the reason for refusal. This makes getting the application right before lodgement an important consideration rather than an afterthought.

Some employers cover the visa application charge as part of a relocation or sponsorship arrangement. Whether this applies to your situation depends on your employment agreement.

What Documents Do You Need for the 186 Visa?

A complete application at lodgement is the single most effective way to avoid unnecessary delays. The document requirements for the 186 fall into several categories.

Identity and Status Documents

• Valid passport (all pages, including expired passports held in the past 10 years)
• Current visa grant notice
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship (if including a partner)
• Birth certificates for any dependent children included in the application

Skills and Qualifications

• Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (Direct Entry stream — most occupations)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Professional registration or licences relevant to the occupation

Employment Evidence

• Employment contract for the nominated position
• Payslips covering the required work period (TRT stream)
• Tax assessments and group certificates (TRT stream)
• Statutory declarations from the employer confirming employment (TRT stream)

English Proficiency

• IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced test results
• Or evidence of passport exemption (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland)

Health and Character

• Completed Overseas Medical Examination results (referral provided by the Department after lodgement in most cases)
• Police clearances from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Character declarations for all applicants over 16 years of age

Labour Market Testing (Direct Entry Stream)

• Advertisements for the position (must meet recency and format requirements)
• Evidence of recruitment efforts and outcomes
• Explanation of why no suitable Australian applicant was identified

Organising these documents before lodgement — rather than chasing them after — keeps your application moving without unnecessary holds. Your employer will also need to compile their own documentation for the nomination application.

How Does the 186 Compare to the 482 and 494?

If you are weighing employer-sponsored pathways, it helps to see the differences clearly.

The 186 is the destination, not an intermediate step. The 482 and 494 are temporary visas that can eventually lead to permanent residency — the 482 via the 186 TRT stream, and the subclass 494 regional visa via the subclass 191 after three years of regional living and working.

If your employer is based in a regional area and your occupation qualifies, the 494 can open up PR eligibility through a different route. If you are already in Australia on a 482 and want to convert to permanent residency with your current employer, the 186 TRT stream is the direct path. If you are being recruited for a permanent position without prior 482 sponsorship, Direct Entry is the right stream.

What Pathways Does the 186 Visa Connect To?

The 186 connects to a specific set of visa pathways — both as a destination and as a step within a broader migration journey.

What can lead to the 186:

• Subclass 482 (TRT stream): The most common entry point. Two years of full-time work with your nominating employer on a 482 visa makes you eligible for the TRT stream. See the 482 to PR pathway for the full sequence.
• Direct offshore recruitment: Employers recruiting skilled workers from overseas can nominate them directly under the Direct Entry stream without an intermediate temporary visa.
• Subclass 457 (historical): Workers who held the now-closed 457 visa may have transitioned to the 482 and are now eligible for the 186 TRT stream depending on their work history.

What the 186 leads to:

• Permanent residency from day one: Unlike temporary-to-permanent pathways that require additional applications, the 186 is itself the PR grant. There is no further visa application required once it is approved.
• Australian citizenship: After holding permanent residency and meeting the four-year residency requirement (including at least one year as a PR holder), you can apply for Australian citizenship.
• Family sponsorship: As a permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor certain family members for their own Australian visa pathways.

The 186 sits at the end of the employer-sponsored pathway for most skilled workers. Understanding where you are in that sequence — and what you need to do to bridge the remaining steps — helps you plan with clarity rather than reacting to requirements as they arise.

If you are still mapping out which visa pathway fits your occupation, location, and employment situation, the employer sponsored visa Australia overview gives you a fuller picture of how the different streams and subclasses relate to each other.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 186 Visa

Do you need a points test for the 186 visa?

No. The subclass 186 visa does not require a points test. Unlike the 189, 190, and 491 visas, the 186 assesses eligibility through employer nomination, skills assessment, and English proficiency rather than a competitive points score. There is no SkillSelect expression of interest, no invitation round, and no minimum points threshold. Your eligibility is assessed against fixed criteria, not against other applicants in a competitive pool.

Can you get PR directly from the 186 visa?

Yes. The 186 is a permanent visa granted from the date of decision. Once approved, you hold permanent residency in Australia with unrestricted work rights, unrestricted study rights, access to Medicare, and eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the standard residency requirement. There is no temporary phase after the 186 — the visa itself is the permanent residency outcome.

What is the difference between the 186 Direct Entry and TRT streams?

The Direct Entry stream is for applicants who have not worked for their nominating employer on a 482 visa. It typically requires a positive skills assessment, evidence of labour market testing, and a full employer nomination process. The TRT stream is for 482 visa holders who have worked for the same employer for at least two years in the nominated occupation. The TRT stream often waives the skills assessment requirement and can be processed more quickly because the employment history with the employer is already documented.

How long does 186 visa processing take?

Processing times vary by stream. The Direct Entry stream typically takes 6 to 12 months for 75 percent of applications, while the TRT stream is often faster — reflecting the additional documentation available through the existing employment relationship. Processing times fluctuate based on application volumes and departmental priorities. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for current published processing times before planning your lodgement date.

Can your employer withdraw the 186 nomination?

Yes. An employer can withdraw a nomination at any time before the visa is granted. If the nomination is withdrawn, the visa application is typically refused unless the applicant can demonstrate that exceptional circumstances apply. This underscores why the stability of your employment relationship with your nominating employer matters throughout the processing period. Major changes to your role, salary, or employment status during processing should be communicated to your migration agent promptly.

What happens after the 186 visa is granted?

After grant, you hold permanent residency and can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia without restrictions tied to a particular employer or location. You have full access to Medicare, can open bank accounts and sign contracts without visa conditions, and can sponsor eligible family members for certain Australian visas. After meeting the four-year residency requirement — including at least one year as a permanent resident — you can apply for Australian citizenship. Your travel facilty on a 186 is valid for five years from grant date, after which you may need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia if you travel internationally.

What Should You Do Next if the 186 Visa Fits Your Situation?

Before you or your employer lodges anything, it helps to confirm that the 186 is the right visa for your specific circumstances. Work through this checklist:

• Do you have an employer who is willing and eligible to nominate you?
• Does your occupation appear on the relevant occupation list for your stream?
• Are you under 45 years of age, or do you qualify for a TRT age exemption?
• Have you completed at least two years of full-time work with the nominating employer on a 482 visa (TRT stream), or are you being recruited directly into a permanent role (Direct Entry stream)?
• Do you meet the English proficiency requirement?
• Have you or your employer obtained a positive skills assessment (if required for your stream and occupation)?
• Are your health and character requirements likely to be met?

If you can confirm the answers to these questions, you and your employer are in a position to move toward lodgement. If there are gaps — an occupation not on the right list, an age concern, an English test not yet completed — identifying them now means you can address them methodically rather than discovering them mid-application.

We recommend working with a registered migration agent for any 186 application. The nomination and visa components involve precise documentation requirements, and errors in either part can delay or jeopardise the outcome. An agent can also advise on stream selection, age exemptions, and timing relative to your current visa status.

To understand all your options before committing to the 186, the employer sponsored visa Australia guide covers the full landscape of employer-sponsored pathways — including when the 186 TRT stream, the subclass 494 regional visa, or a different route might be more appropriate for your situation.