Overview
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa gives a skilled worker permanent residence when an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating nominates them for a genuine position. There are three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, for a worker who has spent at least 2 of the last 3 years working full time for the employer on a 482 or 457; Direct Entry, for a worker in a Core Skills Occupation List occupation with a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years of experience; and Labour Agreement. The worker must usually be under 45 and have competent English, the salary must be at least A$79,423 (for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026) and the market rate, and the visa charge is A$6,140 for the main applicant.
The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is Australia’s main employer-sponsored permanent visa. An Australian employer nominates a skilled worker for a genuine position and the worker gets permanent residence from the day the visa is granted, with full work and study rights, Medicare, and a path to citizenship. Most workers qualify through one of two streams: Temporary Residence Transition, after 2 of the last 3 years working full time for the employer on a 482, or Direct Entry, with a Core Skills Occupation List occupation, a skills assessment and 3 years of experience. For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 the salary must be at least A$79,423 and the market rate.
Which 186 stream fits your worker?
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): the usual route from a 482. The worker must hold a 457 or 482 (any stream) or an eligible bridging visa, and have worked full time in Australia for you for a total of 2 years in the 3 years before applying, in an occupation the 482 or 457 was granted for. You must have been the last employer to sponsor them. Home Affairs names no occupation list for this stream, and a skills assessment is not mandatory, though Home Affairs may ask for one.
- Direct Entry (DE): for a worker without that 482 history, such as a new hire from overseas, someone on a working holiday, graduate or partner visa, or a 482 holder short of 2 years. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the worker needs a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt.
- Labour Agreement: for employers with a labour agreement with the Government; the agreement sets the occupations and may provide concessions on age, English or salary.
The stream-by-stream comparison table is further down this page. For a worked decision guide with six employer scenarios, see 186 Direct Entry vs Temporary Residence Transition.
What are the 186 visa requirements?
To get a 186 visa you need a nomination from an actively and lawfully operating Australian employer for a genuine position paying at least A$79,423 and the market rate. You then need either 2 years of full-time work with that employer on a 482 (Temporary Residence Transition) or a CSOL occupation, a positive skills assessment and 3 years’ experience (Direct Entry). You must usually be under 45, have competent English, and meet health and character requirements. The employer does not need to be an approved sponsor for the 186: the nomination itself is the employer’s application, and the visa can be lodged in or outside Australia.
- Nomination: an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating nominates a genuine position. The worker lodges the visa together with the nomination or, at the latest, within 6 months of the nomination being approved.
- Salary: at least the Core Skills Income Threshold, A$79,423, for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, and at least the annual market salary rate: what an Australian earns for equivalent full-time work at the same workplace and location. The higher of the two applies. The threshold has applied to 186 nominations since 7 December 2024 and is indexed every 1 July.
- Work history: 2 of the last 3 years full time with you on a 482/457 (TRT), or 3 years of relevant experience (DE).
- Skills assessment: required for Direct Entry before lodging, issued no more than 3 years before the application; an assessment obtained for a 485 visa is not accepted.
- Age: usually under 45 when the visa application is lodged (exemptions below).
- English: at least competent English, such as IELTS 6 in each component; UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders generally meet it.
- Health and character: for the worker and every family member included.
Is there an age limit for the 186?
Usually the worker must be under 45 at lodgement. The exemptions differ by stream:
| Exemption | TRT | Direct Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Academics nominated by an Australian university | Yes (Level A–E) | Yes (Level B–E) |
| Scientists, researchers and technical specialists nominated by an Australian government scientific agency | Yes (ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2) | Yes (ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2) |
| Regional medical practitioners with 2 of the last 3 years on a 457/482 in a designated regional area | Yes | No |
| High earners: at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold in 2 of the last 3 years on a 457/482 | Yes | No |
| 444/461 holders with 2 of the last 3 years with the nominating employer | No | Yes |
A transitional rule also lets people who held a 457 on 18 April 2017 apply in the Temporary Residence Transition stream while under 50.
What English level does the 186 need?
At least competent English, for example IELTS 6 in each of the four components or an equivalent score in another accepted test. Holders of UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passports generally meet it. In the Temporary Residence Transition stream there has been no exemption from the English requirement since 16 November 2019.
Does the 186 need a skills assessment?
For Direct Entry, almost always. The assessment comes from the assessing authority for the occupation (for example Trades Recognition Australia, Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, ACECQA or the Australian Pharmacy Council) and is the slowest step, so start it first. Academics nominated by an Australian university, scientists, researchers and technical specialists nominated by an Australian government scientific agency, and eligible 444/461 holders are exempt, and anyone exempt from the skills assessment is also exempt from the 3-year experience requirement. For Temporary Residence Transition there is no mandatory assessment, but Home Affairs may ask for one.
How much does a 186 visa cost?
A 186 visa costs A$6,140 for the main applicant. The employer pays a A$540 nomination fee and a one-off Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$3,000 or A$5,000, depending on turnover.
| Cost | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge, main applicant | Worker (or employer by agreement) | A$6,140 |
| Second instalment, for each applicant aged 18 or over without functional English (usually an adult family member) | Worker | A$4,890 |
| Nomination fee | Employer | A$540 (subject to stream and location) |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10 million | Employer | A$3,000 one-off |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10 million or more | Employer | A$5,000 one-off |
The levy is paid in full when the nomination is lodged, is tax deductible, and cannot be passed on to the worker. Family members’ charges, health examinations, police certificates, translations and the skills assessment are extra. The full stream-by-stream table is on our 186 cost page.
Which 186 applications are processed first?
Applications are decided in the order set by Ministerial Direction 122: construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources occupations first, then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged, then others. Current 75% and 90% figures for each stream are shown below and tracked monthly on our 186 processing-time page. Lodging the nomination and visa together, with every document attached, avoids the two stages running one after the other.
What happens after the 186 is granted?
The worker and their family are permanent residents from the day of grant, with Medicare and full work and study rights. The visa carries a 5-year travel facility; after that, a Resident Return visa renews the right to re-enter as a permanent resident.
Can a 186 holder change employer? Home Affairs says it expects the worker to work for the nominating employer for at least 2 years after grant; anyone thinking of leaving early should get advice first, because the genuineness of the position and the worker’s intention are part of the original decision.
When can a 186 holder become a citizen? After usually 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, the worker can apply for citizenship, and time already spent in Australia on the 482 counts toward the 4 years. Under the current rules, absences in those 4 years must total no more than 12 months, including no more than 90 days in the final year.
482 to 186: the usual employer pathway
For most employers the pattern is simple: sponsor the worker on a 482 Skills in Demand visa, then nominate the same proven employee for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream once they have 2 years of full-time work with the business. The 2-year requirement (down from 3 years) means sponsored employees now reach permanent residence sooner, which makes the 186 one of the strongest retention tools an employer has. Regional employers can also consider the 494 visa, which leads to permanent residence through the 191. Occupation-specific guides: chef, cook, electrician, carpenter, pharmacist, early childhood teacher and more on our employer hub.
General information only, checked against Home Affairs on 29 October 2026 and subject to change; not migration advice for your business or your worker.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 186 visa?
- Be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating, for a genuine position, and lodge the visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved
- Temporary Residence Transition: hold a 457 or 482 (any stream) or an eligible bridging visa, and have worked full time in Australia for the nominating employer in the 482/457 occupation for a total of 2 years in the 3 years before applying
- Direct Entry: an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, a positive skills assessment issued no more than 3 years before the application (not one obtained for a 485), and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt
- Salary at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (A$79,423 for nominations lodged 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027) and the annual market salary rate
- Usually under 45 when you apply (exemptions apply), at least competent English, and health and character requirements for you and any family members
How much does the Subclass 186 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$6,140. An additional A$3,070 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Same charge for the Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement streams. The employer also pays a nomination charge and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 186 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 186 visa take to process?
For the Transition Pathway stream, around 75% of applications are finalised within 24 months, and 90% within 25 months.
| Stream | 75% finalised within | 90% finalised within |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Pathway | 24 months | 25 months |
| Agreement Pathway | 12 months | 12 months |
| Transition Pathway | 24 months | 25 months |
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 186 visa?
- Check the stream. Confirm whether the worker qualifies for Temporary Residence Transition (2 of the last 3 years full time with you on a 482/457) or needs Direct Entry (CSOL occupation, skills assessment, 3 years' experience).
- Prepare the evidence. Employer: business, position, salary and market-rate evidence. Worker: identity, English, skills assessment (Direct Entry) or 482 employment records (Transition), police certificates and health examinations.
- Lodge the nomination. The employer lodges the nomination and pays the nomination fee (A$540) and the Skilling Australians Fund levy (A$3,000 or A$5,000, one-off) at lodgement.
- Lodge the visa. The worker lodges the 186 application within 6 months of the nomination being approved, ideally at the same time, and pays the A$6,140 visa charge.
- Permanent residence. On grant the worker and included family hold permanent residence. Home Affairs expects the worker to work for the nominating employer for at least 2 years.
How it compares
| Requirement | Temporary Residence Transition | Direct Entry | Labour Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | A 482 (or 457) worker already employed by the sponsor | A worker without 2 years on a 482 with the employer | Employers covered by a labour agreement |
| Work history | At least 2 of the last 3 years on a 482/457 with the employer | At least 3 years of relevant work experience | As set by the agreement |
| Occupation list | Same occupation as the 482 nomination | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | Occupations in the agreement |
| Skills assessment | Not mandatory; may be requested | Required (unless exempt) | As set by the agreement |
| Minimum salary | A$79,423 (CSIT) and the market rate | A$79,423 (CSIT) and the market rate | As set by the agreement |
| Age | Under 45 (exemptions apply) | Under 45 (exemptions apply) | Under 45 unless the agreement provides a concession |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 482 and 186 visas?
The 482 Skills in Demand visa is a temporary employer-sponsored work visa of up to 4 years; the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa is permanent residence. Most employers use them in sequence: sponsor the worker on a 482, then nominate them for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream once they have 2 years of full-time work with the business.
What are the requirements for a 186 visa in 2026?
You need a nomination from an actively and lawfully operating Australian employer for a genuine position paying at least A$79,423 and the market rate, and the visa must be lodged within 6 months of the nomination's approval. For Temporary Residence Transition you need 2 of the last 3 years working full time for the employer on a 482 or 457; for Direct Entry, a Core Skills Occupation List occupation, a positive skills assessment and 3 years' relevant experience. You must usually be under 45, have at least competent English, and pass health and character checks.
Is there an age limit for the 186?
Usually you must be under 45 when you apply. In the Temporary Residence Transition stream, exemptions include academics nominated by an Australian university (Level A to E), scientists, researchers and technical specialists at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 nominated by an Australian government scientific agency, regional medical practitioners with 2 of the last 3 years on a 457/482 in a designated regional area, and 457/482 holders who earned at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold in 2 of the last 3 years. Direct Entry exemptions differ: academics nominated by an Australian university at Level B to E, scientists, researchers and technical specialists at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 nominated by an Australian government scientific agency, and 444/461 holders who have worked for the nominating employer for 2 of the last 3 years. The full comparison is in the age table on this page.
How long must an employee work for us before the 186 Temporary Residence Transition?
A total of 2 years of eligible full-time employment in Australia in the 3 years before the visa application, while holding a 457 or 482 (any stream) or an eligible bridging visa, in an occupation the 482/457 was granted for, with you as the last sponsor. Part-time periods do not count. The requirement used to be 3 years.
How much does the 186 visa cost the applicant?
The visa application charge is A$6,140 for the main applicant, with further charges for each family member included. A second instalment of A$4,890 is payable for each applicant aged 18 or over without functional English, usually an adult family member. Health examinations, police certificates, translations and any skills assessment are extra.
What is the minimum salary for a 186 visa in 2026?
At least the Core Skills Income Threshold of A$79,423 a year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 (it was A$76,515 the year before), and at least the annual market salary rate for equivalent full-time work at the same workplace and location, whichever is higher. The threshold has applied to 186 nominations since 7 December 2024.
How long does a 186 visa take?
Home Affairs publishes 75% and 90% processing times for each stream monthly; the current figures are shown on this page and on our 186 processing-time page. 186 applications are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction 122, with construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources occupations and applicants already in Australia decided first.
Can my nominee include their family?
Yes. A partner and dependent children can be included in the application and, on grant, also receive permanent residence with full work and study rights and Medicare. Each family member must meet health and character requirements, and adults without functional English may incur the second instalment.
Can a 186 visa holder become an Australian citizen?
Yes, once the general residence requirement is met: usually 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, within the absence limits. Time spent in Australia on the 482 before the 186 counts toward the 4 years.
Related visas
- Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)
- MATES scheme — Temporary Work visa (Subclass 403, MATES stream)
- Training visa (Subclass 407)
- Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408)
Useful tools
Sponsor by occupation
Employer guides for the roles we're asked about most: list status, caveats, skills assessment, salary and costs for each.
- Accountant visa sponsorship
- Carpenter visa sponsorship
- Chef visa sponsorship
- Cook visa sponsorship
- Early childhood teacher visa sponsorship
- Electrician visa sponsorship
- Engineer visa sponsorship
- Hotel or hospitality manager visa sponsorship
- Motor mechanic visa sponsorship
- Pharmacist visa sponsorship
- Software developer visa sponsorship
Related guides
- 186 Direct Entry vs Temporary Residence Transition: Which Stream Should an Employer Use?
- How to Sponsor an Overseas Worker in Australia (482 Skills in Demand)
- How to Sponsor a Chef on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
- Construction Trades PR Pathway: Carpenters, Electricians & Plumbers
- The medical examination for your Australian visa
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- Home Affairs — 186 Direct Entry stream
- Home Affairs — 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream
- Home Affairs — Salary requirements to nominate a worker (CSIT)
- Home Affairs — Cost of sponsoring (nomination fee and SAF levy)
- Home Affairs — Skilled occupation list (Core Skills Occupation List)