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Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Most people use the Temporary Residence Transition stream after working for their sponsor for 2 years on a 482 visa. The Direct Entry stream is for workers with a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years of experience in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. You must usually be under 45 and have at least Competent English.
Employer Nomination Scheme (186) at a Glance
| Visa type | Permanent residence |
|---|---|
| Streams | Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), Direct Entry, Labour Agreement |
| Employer | Must nominate the position, pay the market salary and the Skilling Australians Fund levy |
| Age | Under 45 when you apply, unless exempt |
| English | At least Competent English, for example IELTS 6 in each band |
| Salary | At least the Core Skills Income Threshold, AUD 79,423 from 1 July 2026, and the market rate |
| Apply from | In or outside Australia |
| Government charge | AUD 6,140 main applicant, AUD 3,070 per adult and AUD 1,535 per child (from 1 July 2026) |
| Processing (90%) | About 25 months for TRT and Direct Entry (Home Affairs, updated 29 September 2026) |
Which 186 Stream Fits You?
| Stream | Who it is for | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Transition | Workers already sponsored on a 482 or 457 | At least 2 years full-time with the nominating employer in the last 3 years, in the occupation on your visa. No skills assessment usually needed |
| Direct Entry | Workers who have not been sponsored, or do not meet TRT | Occupation on the CSOL, a positive skills assessment from the 3 years before you apply, and at least 3 years of relevant experience |
| Labour Agreement | Workers nominated under an employer's labour agreement | Age, skills and English as set by the agreement |
Age Exemptions
Most applicants must be under 45 when they apply. Exemptions include:
- university academics and certain scientists, researchers and technical specialists nominated by a university or government science agency
- regional medical practitioners who have held a 457 or 482 for 2 years (TRT)
- 457 or 482 holders who earned at least the Fair Work high income threshold in each of the 2 years (TRT).
Employer Requirements
- Be an actively and lawfully operating Australian business with a genuine need for a paid employee in the position.
- Offer the position for at least 2 years, at the market salary and at least AUD 79,423 for nominations from 1 July 2026.
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy: AUD 3,000 if turnover is under AUD 10 million, or AUD 5,000 otherwise, which cannot be passed on to the worker.
Processing times: Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 90% of Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry applications decided within 25 months (50% within 21 months). Labour Agreement applications were faster. Under Ministerial Direction 122, healthcare, teaching, construction and other priority occupations are processed first.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Turning 45 before lodging without an exemption.
- Using a skills assessment obtained for a 485 visa, or one more than 3 years old, for Direct Entry.
- Counting time that was not full-time sponsored work in the nominated occupation for TRT.
- English test results that are more than 3 years old.
How to Apply
- Choose your streamTRT if you have worked 2 years for your sponsor on a 482, otherwise Direct Entry or Labour Agreement.
- Prepare your evidencePayslips, employment contract and references for TRT, or a skills assessment and 3 years of experience for Direct Entry, plus your English test.
- Employer lodges the nominationYour employer nominates the position for at least 2 years and pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Lodge your visa applicationApply in ImmiAccount within 6 months of the nomination being approved, or at the same time.
- Health, character and decisionComplete health examinations and police checks. You can stay on a bridging visa while you wait if you apply in Australia.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We check whether you meet the TRT or Direct Entry requirements and any age exemption, prepare the employer's nomination and your visa application together, and keep your 482 and bridging visa status in order while the application is processed.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Employer Nomination Scheme (186) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Employer Nomination Scheme (186) · Temporary Residence Transition stream · Direct Entry stream · Salary requirements · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the 186 visa?
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. It has three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement.
When can I apply for a 186 from a 482?
Under the Temporary Residence Transition stream, once you have worked full time for your nominating employer for at least 2 of the last 3 years while holding a 482 (or 457) or an eligible bridging visa, in the occupation on your visa.
What is the age limit for the 186?
You must be under 45 when you apply, unless you are exempt. Exemptions include some academics, scientists and researchers, regional medical practitioners, and 457 or 482 holders who earned at least the Fair Work high income threshold in each of the 2 qualifying years.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 186?
For the Direct Entry stream, yes, usually: a positive assessment issued in the 3 years before you apply, not one obtained for a 485 visa. For the Temporary Residence Transition stream a skills assessment is usually not needed.
What English score do I need for the 186?
At least Competent English, for example IELTS 6 in each of the four components for tests taken from 7 August 2025, or a passport from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada or New Zealand. Test results must be no more than 3 years old.
How long does the 186 take?
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 90% of Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry applications decided within 25 months. Priority occupations under Ministerial Direction 122 are processed first.
Do I have to stay with my employer after the 186 is granted?
The employer must offer the position for at least 2 years, and the Department expects you to intend to work in it for that time. Leaving soon after grant can raise questions about whether the position and your intention were genuine.
How much does the 186 cost?
From 1 July 2026 the base government charge is AUD 6,140 for the main applicant, AUD 3,070 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 1,535 for each child under 18. The employer pays the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy of AUD 3,000 or AUD 5,000.
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