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Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

Australia's direct pathway to permanent residence through employer sponsorship. Two streams available: Direct Entry for new applicants and Transition for those already working on a 482/457 visa.

Direct Entry vs Transition Stream

Feature	Direct Entry	Transition
Occupation	Must be on CSOL	Must be on CSOL
Work Experience	3 years full-time post-qualification	2 years with nominating employer on 482/457
Skills Assessment	Required (positive assessment)	Not required
Age Limit	Under 45	Under 45 (exemptions possible)
English	Competent (IELTS 6.0 each band)	Competent (IELTS 6.0 each band)
Processing Time	6-10 months	4-12 months
Visa Status	Can apply from any visa or overseas	Must hold 482/457 visa

Key Requirements

Employer Nomination

Your employer must lodge a nomination application for the position before you apply for the visa.

Occupation on CSOL

Your nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which contains 456 occupations.

Skills Assessment (Direct Entry)

A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required for the Direct Entry stream.

English Language

Competent English required: IELTS 6.0 in each band (reading, writing, speaking, listening), or equivalent (PTE, TOEFL, OET, Cambridge).

Age

Under 45 years of age at the time of application. Certain exemptions may apply for Transition stream applicants.

Health & Character

You must meet health requirements (medical examination) and character requirements (police clearance certificates).

Benefits of Subclass 186

Permanent residence from day one
Live and work anywhere in Australia
Access to Medicare (public healthcare)
Enrol in public education for children
Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements
Travel freely to and from Australia for 5 years

Fees & Costs

Visa application (primary applicant)	AUD $4,640
Nomination fee (employer)	AUD $540
Additional applicant (18+)	AUD $2,320
Additional applicant (under 18)	AUD $1,160
Skills assessment (varies by authority)	AUD $300-$1,200

Processing Times (2026)

Stream	Processing Time
Direct Entry Stream	6-10 months
Transition Stream	4-12 months
Nomination (employer)	3-5 months

FAQ

What is the difference between the Direct Entry and Transition streams?

Direct Entry is for applicants who have never worked in Australia on a 482/457 visa, or who want to apply without transitioning. It requires a skills assessment and 3 years of work experience. Transition stream is for those who have worked for their nominating employer on a 482/457 visa for at least 2 years and does not require a skills assessment.

Does the Subclass 186 give permanent residence immediately?

Yes. Unlike the 482 visa which is temporary, the Subclass 186 grants permanent residence from the date the visa is granted. You can live and work anywhere in Australia without restrictions.

Can my employer pay the visa fees?

The nomination fee (AUD $540) must be paid by the employer. The visa application fee can be paid by either you or your employer, depending on your arrangement.

What happens if I lose my job after getting the 186 visa?

The 186 visa is permanent and not tied to your employer after it is granted. You are free to change employers or become self-employed.

Last updated: 2026-03-15