Subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) — Permanent Residency

What Is the 186 Visa?

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely. It is one of the most sought-after Australian visas because it grants the holder full permanent residency status, including the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, access Medicare, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship.

The 186 visa is an employer-sponsored visa, meaning an Australian employer must nominate the worker for a specific position. There are three streams under this visa, each catering to different circumstances and pathways.

Unlike the temporary 482 visa, the 186 visa grants permanent residency from the date of grant. The visa holder is not tied to the sponsoring employer after the visa is granted and can change jobs freely.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

The TRT stream is for workers who have held a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand — or the earlier TSS / 457) visa with a sponsoring employer and are being nominated by that employer for permanent residence. It is the natural progression from temporary employer-sponsored work to permanent residence.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently hold or have held an eligible employer-sponsored temporary visa (Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, or the earlier TSS / 457). Eligible streams / stream-equivalents: Core Skills and Specialist Skills stream holders transition through the 186 TRT stream; Labour Agreement stream holders use the 186 Labour Agreement stream.
• Required period of holding the 482 visa with the nominating employer: 2 years, counted within the 3 years immediately before nomination. Since 29 November 2025 only employment with an employer that held sponsorship approval at the time counts — time spent working during a between-sponsor period does not.
• Required period of full-time work with the nominating employer in the nominated (or closely related) occupation: 2 years of full-time work in the nominated occupation in the 3 years before nomination (time with any approved sponsor counts)
• Be nominated by an approved sponsor for an eligible skilled position
• Be under the maximum age at time of application (currently 45 unless an exemption applies): under 45 at the time the visa application is lodged; exemptions include people earning above the Fair Work high income threshold (A$190,100 from 1 July 2026), academics and researchers nominated by an Australian university or research institution, regional medical practitioners and certain long-term temporary residents
• Meet English language requirements: Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each component, or an equivalent score in PTE Academic (50), TOEFL iBT, Cambridge or OET (B); holders of UK, US, Canadian, NZ or Irish passports are generally exempt
• Meet health and character requirements

Advantages of the TRT Stream

For eligible 482 visa holders, TRT is generally the most straightforward path to permanent residency. A formal skills assessment is generally not required (one was provided for the 482), and the employer's track record of employing the worker is itself evidence the position is genuine.

Direct Entry Stream

The Direct Entry stream is for workers who do not meet the TRT pathway — for example, those who have not held an eligible Subclass 482 / earlier 457 for the required period. It allows employers to nominate overseas workers directly for permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be nominated by an approved sponsor for a position in an eligible skilled occupation. Applicable occupation list under Skills in Demand: Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) — 458 occupations as at August 2026
• Have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation, within the relevant recency window: the skills assessment must be no more than 3 years old at the time of application (or within the validity period stated on the assessment, if shorter)
• Have the required relevant work experience: at least 3 years of full-time (or equivalent) post-qualification work experience in the nominated occupation at the required skill level
• Be under the maximum age (currently 45 unless an exemption applies): under 45 at the time the visa application is lodged; exemptions include people earning above the Fair Work high income threshold (A$190,100 from 1 July 2026), academics and researchers nominated by an Australian university or research institution, regional medical practitioners and certain long-term temporary residents
• Meet English language requirements: Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each component, or an equivalent score in PTE Academic (50), TOEFL iBT, Cambridge or OET (B); holders of UK, US, Canadian, NZ or Irish passports are generally exempt
• Meet health and character requirements

When to Use the Direct Entry Stream

Direct Entry is appropriate when an employer wants to nominate a highly skilled worker from overseas without first using the temporary Subclass 482, or when the worker is in Australia on a different visa (such as student or working holiday) and the employer wishes to sponsor them directly for permanent residency.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream is available to workers whose employer has a labour agreement with the Australian Government that provides for permanent residency. Not all labour agreements include a PR pathway, so it is essential to check the specific terms of the agreement.

Requirements under this stream are governed by the terms of the individual labour agreement and may include concessions to the standard eligibility criteria, such as lower English language requirements or a broader range of eligible occupations.

General Eligibility Requirements

Regardless of the stream, all 186 visa applicants must meet these general requirements:

Age Requirement

Applicants must generally be under the maximum age (currently 45) at the time of application. Exemptions exist for certain situations, including high-income earners above the Fair Work high income threshold (A$190,100 per year from 1 July 2026), academics, scientists, and researchers nominated by an Australian university or research institution, and certain TRT applicants. Confirm current exemptions on the DHA 186 page before relying on them.

English Language

Applicants must demonstrate the required English standard for 186: Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking, or the Department’s equivalent scores in PTE Academic (50 each), TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced or OET (B each). Holders of passports issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland are exempt from the test.

Health and Character

All applicants and family members included in the application must undergo health examinations and provide police clearances. Health examinations must be completed by a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Current police clearance country/period rule: a police clearance is required from every country in which the applicant has spent a total of 12 months or more in the 10 years since turning 16, including Australia.

Employer Requirements

The employer must meet several requirements when nominating a worker for the 186 visa:

• Approved sponsor: The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or apply to become one.
• Genuine position: The nominated position must be genuine, full-time, and for the required minimum period: the position must be genuine, full-time and ongoing (available for at least the period the Department specifies for the nomination).
• Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR): The salary must be at or above AMSR for the position, and meet the applicable income threshold — the 186 income threshold now aligns with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): A$79,423 from 1 July 2026, indexed each 1 July (A$76,515 applied to nominations lodged in 2025–26).
• Labour market testing: LMT requirements (where applicable): labour market testing is not a legislated requirement at the 186 Direct Entry nomination stage, although the employer must still show the position is genuine and paid at the annual market salary rate.
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: Payable at nomination — a one-off A$3,000 for businesses with annual turnover under A$10 million, A$5,000 for larger businesses (the 186 levy is a single payment, not per year).

Benefits of Permanent Residency

Being granted a 186 visa and permanent residency in Australia comes with significant benefits:

• Live and work anywhere: No restriction on where you live or work in Australia. You are not tied to any employer.
• Medicare: Access to Australia's public healthcare system, including subsidised medical treatment and prescription medicines.
• Education: Access to subsidised education for your children, including public schooling.
• Social security: After a waiting period, access to Australian social security payments and benefits.
• Sponsor family: Ability to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency.
• Travel: A five-year travel facility from the date of visa grant, allowing unlimited travel in and out of Australia.
• Citizenship pathway: Eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residence requirements (generally four years of lawful residence, including one year as a permanent resident).

Costs and Government Fees

Current 186 fees: nomination fee A$540 for the Direct Entry and Labour Agreement streams and nil for the Temporary Residence Transition stream; Skilling Australians Fund levy A$3,000 (turnover under A$10 million) or A$5,000 (other employers), paid once at nomination; visa application charge A$6,140 for the primary applicant, A$3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,535 for each child under 18. A second instalment is charged before grant where an applicant aged 18 or over does not have functional English — A$9,800 for the primary applicant, A$4,890 for a secondary applicant (Department of Home Affairs price list, checked 28 August 2026). Fees and the SAF levy are subject to change — confirm on the DHA 186 page before relying on any figure.

Processing Times

Processing times vary by stream and application completeness. Current published targets: Direct Entry — 50% of applications decided within 10 months, 90% within 14 months; Temporary Residence Transition — 50% within 11 months, 90% within 15 months (Department of Home Affairs, 4 August 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change employers after getting my 186 visa?

Yes. Once the 186 visa is granted, you become a permanent resident with full work rights. You are not tied to your sponsoring employer and can work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Australia.

What happens if I am over 45?

The age limit applies at the time of application. If you are over 45, you may still be eligible if you meet one of the exemption criteria, such as earning above the Fair Work high income threshold, or if you are nominated under specific circumstances. Consult a migration agent for advice on your specific situation.

Can I include my family in my 186 visa application?

Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. They will also receive permanent residency.

Do I need to be in Australia to apply?

For the TRT stream, you must be in Australia at the time of application and at the time of visa grant. For the Direct Entry stream, you can be in or outside Australia when you apply, but you must be in Australia at the time of visa grant (unless you applied outside Australia).

Is there a points test for the 186 visa?

No. The 186 visa is not a points-tested visa. Eligibility is based on the employer's nomination, the worker's skills and qualifications, and meeting the specific stream requirements.