Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186)
Permanent residence for eligible skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement streams have different requirements.
Advice from Amir Adhikari, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1803796), based in Melbourne.Consultations by phone, Zoom or at our Melbourne office.
- Outcome
- Permanent
- Duration
- Indefinite stay; initial travel facility is 5 years
- Age
- Generally under 45 when applying, unless exempt; agreement rules may differ
- Regional
- No general regional requirement
Important limitations
- Employer nomination does not guarantee a visa grant.
- The TRT qualifying period is not simply two years since the 482 grant. Eligible employment, visa history and nomination criteria must be assessed.
- Direct Entry and TRT are not interchangeable. Skills assessment, occupation and employment requirements differ.
- The Department expects you to work for the nominating employer for at least two years. Assess the genuine employment intention and obligations rather than treating permanent residence as unrelated to the nomination.
Streams
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
For eligible temporary sponsored workers. Generally requires two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment in the three years before application, eligible visa history and employer nomination. Not every period of employment counts.
Direct Entry
For eligible skilled workers, generally with an eligible occupation, three years of relevant experience and a suitable skills assessment before applying, unless exempt. Prior subclass 482 holding is not essential.
Labour Agreement
For eligible nominations under an applicable labour agreement that provides access to permanent residence. Requirements and concessions depend on the agreement and relevant rules.
Worker requirements
- Be nominated by an eligible employer and qualify under the selected stream.
- Meet the relevant age and English requirements, including any applicable exemptions or agreement provisions.
- For Direct Entry, generally have at least three years of relevant experience and a positive skills assessment before lodgement, unless exempt.
- For TRT, establish eligible sponsored employment and visa history; do not count ordinary employment or visa holding alone as sufficient.
- Hold the relevant occupational registration or licensing where required.
- Meet health, character and other applicable visa requirements; eligible accompanying family members are assessed separately.
Employer requirements
- Show a genuine need for the nominated skilled position and meet the stream’s nomination requirements.
- Offer the required employment arrangements, including a position available for at least two years where required.
- Meet the relevant annual market salary rate and applicable income threshold requirements. Meeting a minimum threshold alone is not sufficient.
- Provide evidence of business operations, capacity and compliance with Australian workplace laws.
- Employers cannot transfer or recover certain sponsorship and nomination costs from workers. Check which costs the employer must bear before making any payment arrangement.
Income thresholds change. Check the current official threshold information (opens in a new tab).
What this visa allows
- Live, work and study in Australia as a permanent resident after grant.
- Enrol in Medicare and include eligible family members, subject to the relevant requirements.
- Consider Australian citizenship if separately eligible.
- Receive an initial five-year travel facility. Indefinite residence and return travel rights are different; later travel may require a Resident Return visa or citizenship.
How the process works
- Assess the worker’s history and employer’s proposed role to select the relevant stream.
- Review skills assessment, English, age and qualifying employment evidence as applicable.
- Prepare the employer nomination and supporting employment and salary documentation.
- Confirm nomination approval and visa application timing requirements before lodging a valid visa application.
- Respond to Department requests and understand employment expectations and permanent resident travel requirements after grant.
How we actually help
- Compare Direct Entry and TRT against the actual visa and employment history.
- Review the employer’s position, nomination and salary evidence.
- Prepare the nomination and visa documentation, including any claimed exemptions.
Related pathway
Direct Entry may be available without first holding subclass 482. TRT may be available after eligible sponsored employment. Select the route on evidence, not simply the time spent in Australia.
General information, not an individual eligibility assessment. Requirements, charges and processing change. Check the current position on the Department of Home Affairs page for subclass 186 (opens in a new tab).
About the 186
No. Eligible applicants can qualify through Direct Entry without previously holding subclass 482. Each stream has separate criteria.
Generally at least three years of relevant experience, unless exempt. A suitable skills assessment is also generally required before applying.
No. TRT generally requires two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment in the three years before application, with the required visa history and nomination. Other requirements still apply.
Potentially. Business size alone does not determine eligibility. The genuine position, employment arrangements, financial evidence and nomination criteria need assessment.
No. The initial travel facility lasts five years, not permanent residence itself. Returning to Australia afterwards can require a Resident Return visa unless you have become an Australian citizen.
Your matter:
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186).
Selected service · Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186)
A consultation assesses your circumstances, discusses realistic options and outlines possible next steps. It is not a visa or review application and not a representation agreement. Any further work, its scope and fees are agreed separately.
- 01Book your appointment
Choose an available appointment time and check the details before confirming.
Book appointment (opens booking page in a new tab) - 02Complete the visitor registration form
After booking, add your details and circumstances for your employer nomination scheme visa (subclass 186) consultation.
Complete registration form (opens in a new tab) - 03Attend your consultation
Appointments are normally by phone, via Zoom, or in person at our Melbourne office. Follow your appointment confirmation for the arrangements.
Urgent matter or approaching deadline? Call our office on 03 9620 3195 or mobile +61 415 997 528.Message (SMS)WhatsAppA booking does not lodge anything, preserve rights or extend a deadline.