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 for workers who have held a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) or 457 visa and worked for their employer for at least two years; the Direct Entry stream for applicants who are applying from outside Australia or without a qualifying temporary visa history, the Direct Entry stream requires the occupation to be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); and the Labour Agreement stream for workers sponsored under a formal labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government.
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.
For the Direct Entry stream, the applicant must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation. This step is not required for the TRT stream.
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.
Timeframes vary depending on the stream, completeness of the application at lodgement, and current processing volumes within the Department of Home Affairs.
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 must be paid at or above the market salary rate, and the terms and conditions of employment must be consistent with those provided to Australian workers in equivalent roles.
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 (if you have worked for the employer on a 482/457 visa for two or more years), Direct Entry (if you are applying from outside Australia or without the qualifying temporary visa history), or Labour Agreement. Each stream has different requirements.
If applying under the Direct Entry stream, lodge a skills assessment with the assessing authority relevant to your occupation. This step is not required under the TRT stream. Allow 4 to 12 weeks for the assessment to be returned.
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) stream is for workers who have held a Subclass 482 or 457 visa and worked for the same employer for at least two years. The Direct Entry stream is for applicants who have not worked in Australia on a relevant temporary visa, or who qualify through other means. The Direct Entry stream requires a skills assessment, while the TRT stream does not.
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.
For the Direct Entry stream, employers must demonstrate that they have tested the local labour market and were unable to find a suitably qualified Australian worker. The TRT stream does not require labour market testing as the applicant has already been working for the employer.
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.
The standard requirement is Competent English, which is an IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge. Some applicants may be exempt from providing an English test, such as passport holders from certain countries.
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.