Australia • Immigration Consulting
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. It allows employers to sponsor overseas workers or existing temporary visa holders to fill positions they cannot fill from the local labour market.
The Subclass 186 has three streams: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, the Direct Entry stream and the Labour Agreement stream. The requirements differ by stream and can change, so confirm the current occupation, work-history, nomination and visa criteria with the Department of Home Affairs before relying on this summary.
Once granted, this visa provides permanent residency with unrestricted work rights, access to Medicare, eligibility for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements, and the ability to sponsor eligible family members for their own visa applications.
This visa is for skilled workers whose Australian employer is ready to commit to keeping them long-term. Whether you're already in Australia on a work visa or your employer wants to hire you from overseas, this is the path to permanent residency through your job.
The sponsoring employer must be a lawfully operating Australian business that meets the requirements to nominate a worker. We work with both the employer and the applicant to confirm eligibility.
The employer submits a formal nomination to the Department of Home Affairs, specifying the position, salary and conditions. The role must be genuine, full-time and paid at market salary rates.
A skills assessment may be required depending on the stream, occupation and applicant circumstances. Confirm the current Department and assessing-authority requirements.
Once the nomination is approved or submitted concurrently, the visa application is lodged with all supporting documents including identity records, qualifications, employment references, English test results, police clearances and health examinations.
All applicants and included family members must undergo health examinations with an approved panel physician and provide police clearances from every country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses both the nomination and the visa application. Additional information may be requested. Once approved, the permanent visa is granted.
The total cost of a Subclass 186 application depends on the stream, number of applicants and whether a skills assessment is required.
Exact costs depend on individual circumstances, the stream applied under, family composition and nominated occupation. Government fees are subject to change.
Processing times vary depending on the stream, completeness and current Department of Home Affairs volumes. Check the official processing-time guide for current indicative information; no timeframe is guaranteed.
A job offer from an approved Australian employer is a fundamental requirement for the Subclass 186 visa. The employer must formally nominate the applicant for a genuine, full-time position.
The position and salary must meet the applicable current market-salary and employment-condition requirements, which should be verified before nomination.
New World Immigration works with both employers and applicants to ensure that the nomination meets all regulatory requirements and that the application is properly structured from the outset.
Identify which stream applies to your situation: TRT, Direct Entry or Labour Agreement. Each stream has different requirements, and the current Department of Home Affairs criteria should be checked before relying on any work-history or occupation summary.
A skills assessment may be required depending on the stream, occupation and circumstances. Confirm the relevant assessing authority and current evidence requirements before lodging.
The sponsoring employer submits a formal nomination to the Department of Home Affairs, including the position description, salary details and terms of employment. For the Direct Entry stream, the employer must also demonstrate that the position meets labour market testing requirements.
Competent English is generally required. Some applicants may be exempt based on passport nationality or specific circumstances. Check your individual requirements before booking a test.
Undergo health examinations with an approved panel physician. Obtain police clearances from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Submit the visa application through ImmiAccount, concurrently with or after the nomination. Include all required documents, identity records, qualifications, employment evidence, English test results, health and police clearances.
The Department may request additional evidence during processing. Respond promptly and completely to avoid delays. Once all requirements are satisfied, the permanent visa is granted.
The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Direct Entry streams have different requirements for visa history, work experience, occupation and skills assessment. The applicable criteria can change, so check the current Department of Home Affairs guidance for your circumstances.
Yes. Once the Subclass 186 permanent visa is granted, you are free to work for any employer in Australia. There is no ongoing obligation to remain with the nominating employer.
Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your visa application. Additional visa fees apply for each secondary applicant.
Nomination and labour-market requirements depend on the stream and current rules. The employer should confirm what evidence is required before lodging.
You must generally be under 45 years of age at the time of application. Exemptions may apply for current or former Subclass 457 or 482 holders, certain academics, scientists and researchers, or where specified in a labour agreement.
English requirements and exemptions depend on the stream and circumstances. Check the current Department of Home Affairs criteria and approved evidence before relying on a test score.
Yes. Subclass 186 holders are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the residency requirement, which generally involves living in Australia for at least four years, including at least one year as a permanent resident.
If you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, or if you are currently working in Australia on a temporary visa and considering a permanent pathway, the next step is to complete a structured eligibility assessment.
Our team will review your circumstances, confirm which stream is most appropriate and provide clear guidance on the requirements and process from start to finish.