Employer Sponsored Visa Subclass 186
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) enables an eligible Australian business to nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry or Labour Agreement stream.
Subclass 186 is a permanent employer-nominated visa. Both the employer nomination and the worker's visa application must satisfy the requirements of the selected stream. An approved nomination does not automatically guarantee a visa grant.
What is the Employer Nomination Scheme?
Subclass 186 supports Australian employers that need to retain or recruit suitably skilled workers for genuine, ongoing positions. The nominating business must be actively and lawfully operating, while the applicant must have the skills, qualifications and experience required for the nominated role.
Once granted, the visa provides permanent residence. The visa holder can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
Three Subclass 186 streams
Temporary Residence Transition stream
This stream may suit eligible workers whose current or most recent sponsoring employer is prepared to nominate them. Applicants usually need to hold an eligible Subclass 457, 482 or related bridging visa and have completed at least two years of eligible sponsored full-time employment in Australia during the three years before applying.
The applicant must have the skills and qualifications required for the occupation and generally meet age and Competent English requirements unless an exemption applies. Mandatory occupational licensing, registration or professional membership must also be addressed.
Direct Entry stream
Direct Entry may suit applicants who have not completed the sponsored-employment period required for the transition stream. Most applicants must be under 45, demonstrate Competent English, hold a suitable skills assessment and show at least three years of relevant work experience, unless a prescribed exemption applies.
The nominated occupation and position must satisfy the current legislative settings applying when the nomination and visa applications are lodged. Employers and applicants should confirm the applicable occupation instrument rather than relying on an older list.
Labour Agreement stream
This stream is available where the employer is party to an applicable labour agreement that permits permanent nomination under Subclass 186. The occupation, experience, English, age and any available concessions are determined by the terms of that agreement.
Employer nomination requirements
The employer must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia and nominate a genuine, full-time position expected to be available for at least two years. The role, duties, location, salary and employment conditions must meet the relevant nomination rules and Australian workplace law.
The nomination commonly requires business evidence, organisational information, a detailed position description, employment contract, salary evidence and payment of the applicable Skilling Australians Fund levy. Adverse information about the business or associated persons can affect the outcome.
How the Subclass 186 process works
Select the correct stream
Review the worker's visa history, sponsored employment, occupation, skills and any labour agreement coverage.
Assess the employer and position
Confirm the business is eligible and the role, salary, duties and proposed employment are genuine and compliant.
Prepare applicant evidence
Arrange the required skills assessment, English result, employment evidence, licensing and identity documents.
Lodge the nomination and visa
The employer lodges the nomination; the applicant may use its transaction reference number to lodge the linked visa application.
Respond and commence employment
Provide any requested information and, after grant, begin the nominated employment within the applicable timeframe.
Applicant requirements
Requirements vary by stream but can include age, English ability, work history, qualifications, a positive skills assessment and occupational registration. The primary applicant and included family members must also meet relevant health and character requirements and resolve any outstanding Australian Government debt.
Important points before applying
- Choose the stream that matches the worker's circumstances and employer arrangements.
- Confirm the nominated position is genuine and expected to remain available for at least two years.
- Check occupation, salary, age, English, skills and experience rules at the time of lodgement.
- Secure any mandatory licence, registration or professional membership.
- Use complete and consistent employment, qualification and identity evidence.
- Apply within six months if the employer nomination has already been approved.
- Do not assume nomination approval guarantees approval of the linked visa application.
After visa grant
The Department expects the visa holder to work for the nominating employer for at least two years. Employment should begin within six months of entering Australia if the visa was granted offshore, or within six months of grant if it was granted in Australia. The initial permanent-resident travel facility is generally valid for five years.
Documents commonly required
Evidence may include passports and civil documents, the nomination reference, employment contract, position description, salary and business records, visa history, work references, payslips, tax or superannuation records, qualifications, skills assessment, English results, licences, police certificates, health examinations and family relationship documents.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can review the proposed position and worker profile, identify the suitable Subclass 186 stream, prepare tailored employer and applicant checklists, coordinate nomination and visa evidence, and support both parties through lodgement and Department requests.