Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa, subclass 186, is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers sponsored by an approved Australian employer. Unlike the points-tested independent visas, subclass 186 is employer-driven: a company identifies a worker it wants to keep permanently and lodges a nomination tied to a specific full-time role.

The visa has two main pathways relevant in 2026. The Direct Entry stream is for applicants who have not worked extensively in Australia and requires a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant work experience. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for those who have already held a subclass 482 or earlier 457 visa with the nominating employer for the qualifying period, usually two years, and rewards that loyalty with a streamlined route to permanent residence.

Because it grants permanent residence outright, subclass 186 is highly sought after. It gives the holder and their family full work rights, access to Medicare, and a clear path to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a position on the relevant occupation list, and the role must be genuine, full-time and ongoing. For the Direct Entry stream you generally need a suitable skills assessment for your occupation and at least three years of relevant work experience.

For the Temporary Residence Transition stream you must have worked for the nominating employer on a subclass 482 or 457 visa for the required qualifying period. Across both streams applicants must usually be under 45 at the time of application, demonstrate competent English, and meet health and character standards. The nominated salary must meet or exceed the relevant income threshold and the market rate for the role. Age and skills exemptions apply in limited circumstances.

The process runs in parallel between employer and worker. First, your employer confirms the position is genuine, ongoing and meets the salary threshold, then prepares a nomination application identifying you and the role.

If you are using the Direct Entry stream, obtain a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation before lodging. Gather evidence of your work experience, qualifications and English test results.

The nomination and the visa application are typically lodged together with the Department of Home Affairs. The employer's nomination establishes that the role and sponsorship are valid; your visa application demonstrates that you personally meet the skills, age, English and health requirements.

The department assesses both components, requests any missing documents, and conducts health examinations and police checks for you and your family. Because subclass 186 grants permanent residence immediately on approval, scrutiny is thorough. Once granted, you and included family members can live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely.

The visa application charge for the primary applicant runs to several thousand Australian dollars, with separate charges for a partner and each child. Employers also pay a nomination fee and a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund levy, the size of which depends on company turnover and the period of sponsorship. Applicants typically pay for their own skills assessment, English testing, health examinations and police certificates. If you engage a registered migration agent, professional fees are additional. Confirm who bears which cost with your employer before lodging, as some are legally the employer's responsibility.

Processing times vary significantly by stream. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is often faster, because the applicant's history with the employer is already documented through their temporary visa. Direct Entry applications generally take longer due to the additional skills assessment scrutiny. The Department of Home Affairs publishes indicative global processing times that shift with demand and programme planning levels. Complete applications with a clear skills assessment and full supporting evidence move faster; gaps that trigger requests for further information add months to the timeline.

Subclass 186 grants permanent residence from the moment it is approved, so there is no provisional period to satisfy. On arrival, or immediately if you are already onshore, you can enrol in Medicare, open the full range of financial products available to residents, and your children can attend public school as residents.

The visa carries an expectation that you take up the nominated role, and you should remain with the sponsoring employer for a reasonable period, but you are not legally bound to that job indefinitely as a permanent resident. After meeting the residency requirements you can apply for Australian citizenship. Keep your travel facility current - permanent visas include an initial five-year travel window, after which you apply for a Resident Return visa to re-enter Australia.