AUSTRALIA EMPLOYER-SPONSORED MIGRATION
Australia Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa
Direct Employer-Sponsored Australian Permanent Residency
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa is an Australian permanent residency visa for eligible skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Successful applicants can live, work, and study in Australia permanently, subject to applicable laws and visa conditions.
At VO Visas, we assist skilled workers and sponsoring employers with the application process, including nomination preparation, skills assessment guidance, supporting documents, and visa application lodgement.
- Understand the three Subclass 186 application streams.
- Review your occupation, qualifications, and work experience.
- Understand employer nomination and English language requirements.
- Prepare the supporting documents required for your application.
Three Application Streams for Subclass 186
The Subclass 186 visa has three streams. The appropriate pathway depends on your employment history, current visa status, occupation, and whether your employer has an applicable labour agreement.
Direct Entry Stream
This stream is for eligible skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer who meet the applicable occupation, skills, qualification, work experience, age, and English language requirements. A positive skills assessment is generally required unless an exemption applies.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
This stream may suit eligible workers who have held qualifying temporary sponsored work visas and completed the required employment period with their sponsoring employer. The qualifying visa history and employment requirements depend on the rules in force when applying.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for eligible workers nominated by an employer operating under a labour agreement with the Australian Government. The agreement may set specific occupation, experience, English, age, or other concessions and requirements.
Key Benefits of Subclass 186 Permanent Residency
The Subclass 186 visa offers an employer-sponsored pathway to Australian permanent residency for eligible skilled workers and their qualifying family members.
Permanent Settlement
Successful applicants can live, work, and study in Australia permanently, subject to applicable laws and visa conditions.
Healthcare Access
Permanent residents can generally enrol in Medicare if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements, giving access to Australia's public healthcare system.
Family Inclusion
Eligible family members, including a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, may be included in the visa application subject to the relevant requirements.
Travel Facility
The visa generally includes a five-year travel facility from the date of grant. After it expires, a Resident Return Visa or another appropriate travel arrangement may be needed to return to Australia as a permanent resident.
Work Opportunities
Permanent residency provides broad work rights in Australia. Applicants should understand their employment arrangements and any obligations connected with the employer nomination.
Potential Citizenship Pathway
Permanent residency may provide a pathway to Australian citizenship if you meet the applicable residence, character, and other citizenship requirements. Citizenship is not automatic.
Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 186
Eligibility depends on the stream you apply under, your nominated occupation, your employer, and the requirements in force at the time of application.
Employer Nomination
You generally need to be nominated by an eligible Australian employer for a position that meets the requirements of the relevant Subclass 186 stream. The employer and position must satisfy applicable nomination criteria.
Age Requirement
Applicants generally need to be under 45 years old when applying, unless an applicable exemption or concession is available under the relevant stream and circumstances.
Occupation and Skills
Your nominated position and occupation must meet the relevant stream's requirements. A positive skills assessment is generally required for Direct Entry unless an exemption applies; other streams have their own criteria.
Relevant Work Experience
Work experience requirements vary by stream. Direct Entry applicants generally need at least three years of relevant work experience, while the TRT stream uses qualifying sponsored employment and visa history requirements.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants generally need Competent English unless an applicable exemption or concession applies. Accepted tests and score thresholds depend on the rules in force and the relevant stream.
Health and Character Checks
You and any included family members must meet the applicable health and character requirements. Medical examinations, police certificates, and additional information may be requested.
Step-by-Step Subclass 186 Application Process
The application typically involves employer nomination followed by the visa application. The exact process and deadlines depend on the stream and your circumstances.
Employer Nomination
The sponsoring employer prepares and lodges a nomination with the Department of Home Affairs, providing information about the position, business, and proposed employment arrangements.
Document Preparation
Gather identity documents, employment references, qualifications, skills assessment evidence where required, English test results, and other supporting records relevant to your stream.
Visa Application Submission
Prepare and lodge the visa application in accordance with the applicable instructions and deadlines. Check the current rules for how the nomination and visa application should be coordinated.
Health and Character Clearances
Complete any required medical examinations and provide police certificates or other character documents requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
Respond to Further Requests
Provide additional evidence or clarification if requested during processing. Ensure all submitted information is accurate and consistent across the nomination and visa application.
Visa Decision
The Department of Home Affairs assesses the nomination and visa application under the applicable requirements and issues a decision. A visa grant is not guaranteed.
Government Visa Application Charges
The overall cost of a Subclass 186 application may include government visa charges, employer nomination-related costs, skills assessment fees where required, English testing, medical examinations, police certificates, translations, and other expenses. The charges applicable to each party depend on the current rules.
Main Applicant
The primary applicant pays the applicable visa application charge at the time of lodgement.
Additional Applicant Aged 18 or Over
An additional charge generally applies for each eligible family member aged 18 or older included in the application.
Additional Applicant Under 18
A separate, generally lower additional applicant charge applies for eligible family members under 18.
Government charges may change and can depend on the applicant's circumstances. Confirm the current amounts with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application. Employers and applicants should also check which nomination and sponsorship costs each party is legally required to pay.
How VO Visas Can Help
Employer-sponsored migration involves requirements for both the sponsoring business and the nominated worker. VO Visas can help organise the process and clarify the documentation needed for the relevant stream.
Eligibility Review
Review your occupation, qualifications, age, work experience, English proficiency, and potential stream eligibility.
Nomination Preparation
Help organise relevant information and supporting documents for the employer nomination process.
Skills and Employment Evidence
Understand the applicable skills assessment, qualification, employment reference, and experience requirements.
Visa Application Support
Organise supporting documents and prepare for the application and any additional evidence requests.
Eligibility and outcomes depend on the applicant, employer, nominated position, and applicable immigration rules. No migration service can guarantee a nomination approval or visa grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the Australia Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.
1. Is the Subclass 186 visa a permanent residency visa?
Yes. The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is a permanent visa. If granted, it allows eligible applicants to live, work, and study in Australia permanently, subject to applicable laws and visa conditions.
2. What are the three streams of the Subclass 186 visa?
The three streams are Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), and Labour Agreement. Each has different requirements for employer nomination, occupation, work experience, skills assessment, and eligibility.
3. Do I need a positive skills assessment for Subclass 186?
A positive skills assessment is generally required for the Direct Entry stream unless an applicable exemption applies. Requirements differ for the TRT and Labour Agreement streams, so applicants should check the criteria relevant to their circumstances.
4. Is there an age limit for the Subclass 186 visa?
Applicants generally need to be under 45 years old, but exemptions or concessions may apply to certain applicants and streams. Check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements before applying.
5. How much work experience do I need for Subclass 186?
The requirement depends on the stream. Direct Entry applicants generally need at least three years of relevant work experience, while TRT applicants must meet the applicable qualifying employment and visa history requirements. Labour Agreement applicants must satisfy the terms of the relevant agreement and visa criteria.
6. Can I include my family in the Subclass 186 application?
Eligible family members, including a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, may be included if they meet the applicable requirements. Additional application charges and supporting evidence may be required.
7. How long do I have to lodge my visa application after nomination approval?
The applicable timing requirements depend on the nomination and visa application process in force. Check the current Department of Home Affairs instructions and any relevant deadlines rather than relying on a general timeframe.
8. Can I change employers after receiving a Subclass 186 visa?
The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent visa, but applicants should understand their employment arrangements and obligations connected with the nomination. Individual circumstances can matter, so seek qualified advice if you are considering changing employment soon after grant.
9. Can the Subclass 186 visa lead to Australian citizenship?
It may provide a pathway to Australian citizenship if you meet the applicable residence, character, and other citizenship requirements. Permanent residency does not automatically grant citizenship.
10. Why choose VO Visas for my Subclass 186 application?
VO Visas can help you understand the relevant stream, organise supporting documents, review eligibility factors, and prepare for the nomination and visa application process. Outcomes depend on your circumstances, the employer nomination, and the applicable immigration requirements.
