Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (186) for Skilled Workers
The 186 gives you permanent residence on the strength of your employer’s nomination. Most people we help come to it after working for their sponsor on a 482. We choose the right stream for your history, arrange your skills assessment, English and health checks, and make sure you lodge in time.
The Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent visa with three streams: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement. Most people we assist come through the Temporary Residence Transition stream after working with their sponsor on a 482. We work with you and your employer to find the right stream and gather the supporting documents.
- TypePermanent
- SponsorNominating employer
- StreamsDirect Entry, Transition, Labour Agreement
- Often followsA 482 visa
Two stages to a 186 visa
2 stagesThe 186 has two stages: the employer’s nomination, then the worker’s visa application. The employer must already be an approved sponsor. If it is not, that approval comes first, as a third step.
- Employer
- Visa applicant
Stage 1
Nomination
Lodged by the employer
- A genuine, full-time position in an eligible occupation
- Pay at or above the market rate and the salary threshold
- Transition stream: the worker has about 2 years with the sponsor on an eligible temporary visa
- Direct Entry stream: the worker has the skills and experience, with a skills assessment
Stage 2
Visa application
Lodged by the worker, within 6 months
- Lodged within 6 months of the nomination being approved
- Generally under 45, unless an exemption applies
- English at the level required for the stream
- Health and character requirements, including police checks
This is a summary. Requirements differ by stream and change over time, so we confirm what applies to your situation.
The three streams
| Stream | Best for |
|---|---|
| Direct Entry | Skilled workers, onshore or offshore, who have not worked for the sponsor under a temporary visa. A skills assessment is required. |
| Temporary Residence Transition | People who have worked for their sponsor for about 2 years on an eligible temporary visa such as the 482. |
| Labour Agreement | Workers nominated under a labour agreement the employer has in place. |
Overview
The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by their employer.
- There are two stages: your employer nominates the position, and you apply for the visa within the time allowed.
- There are three streams, and the right one depends on your history with the employer and your circumstances.
Who this suits
Workers who have been with their employer and want permanent residence
Skilled workers nominated directly from outside Australia, where the stream allows
Visa holders on a 482 who are planning the step to permanent residence
Key facts
- Permanent residence, with the freedom to change employers after the visa is granted
- Generally for applicants under 45, unless an exemption applies
- The visa application must be lodged within 6 months of the nomination being approved
- The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate a genuine position
Government application fees
Employer Nomination Scheme (186), all streams
Main applicant$6,140
Additional applicant 18+$3,070
Additional applicant under 18$1,535
A second instalment may be payable for applicants aged 18 and over who do not have functional English. Check the current amount with Home Affairs.
These are the Department of Home Affairs charges only. They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount with the Department before you lodge. Other costs may apply, such as health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Our professional fees are separate.
What you need to qualify
- Your employer must be able to nominate you for a genuine ongoing position.
- Your occupation must be eligible for the stream, and the pay must meet the required market rate and threshold.
- You need the skills, qualifications and work history the stream asks for, a skills assessment where required, and the English level that applies.
- You and any family members must meet health and character requirements.
Skills assessment
Skills assessment, with our help
The Direct Entry stream requires a skills assessment. Other streams may too, depending on the occupation.
Many applicants ask us to help with their skills assessment, because the assessing authority’s rules are strict and a weak application can cost months.
Ask about a skills assessmentAssessing authority fees are set by the authority and are separate from ours.
- The right authorityWe identify the assessing authority and the assessment that applies to your occupation.
- Eligibility firstWe review your qualifications and experience against the requirements before you pay any fees.
- Guidance on your evidenceWe explain what the authority expects, such as employment references and duties, and review what you have gathered before you submit.
- Support to the outcomeWe help you understand and respond to the authority’s requests until the outcome is issued.
Documents you will need
- Passport and identity documents for you and each family member included
- Qualifications, employment history and references
- Evidence of your time with the employer, for the streams that depend on it
- English results and a skills assessment, where required
- Police certificates and health examination results when requested
After the visa is granted
- You become a permanent resident and can live and work in Australia.
- Permanent residence is the starting point for later steps, including citizenship when you are eligible.
- Keep your records and documents safe for those later applications.
How we help
- We choose the stream first. Your work history, age and skills are matched to the right stream before any money is spent.
- We arrange your skills assessment, English test, health and police checks, and time them so none expire before you lodge.
- We track the 6-month window after your employer’s nomination, so it is never missed.
- We tell you what you can and cannot change before the visa is granted, and we plan for your family.
Common pitfalls
- Missing the 6-month window between the nomination being approved and lodging your visa
- Assuming time on any visa counts towards the Temporary Residence Transition work requirement
- Skipping the skills assessment on the Direct Entry stream
- Applying close to the age limit without checking whether an exemption applies
- Changing employer or role before the visa is granted, which can end the nomination
- Letting English test results, health checks or police certificates lapse
Frequently asked questions
How long must I work for my sponsor before the Temporary Residence Transition stream?
The requirement is about 2 years of qualifying sponsored work on an eligible temporary visa such as the 482. Not every period on every visa counts, so we confirm what is recognised in your case.
Which of the three streams is right for me?
It depends on your work history with the sponsor. Direct Entry suits those without sponsored work history and needs a skills assessment, Temporary Residence Transition suits long-serving sponsored workers, and Labour Agreement applies where one is in place.
Is there an age limit?
Generally applicants must be under 45, although some exemptions apply. If you are close to the limit, we check whether an exemption is available before you commit time and money to an application.
Is there a deadline between nomination and visa lodgement?
Yes. You must lodge the visa application within 6 months of the nomination being approved, and missing it is a common pitfall. We track the date for you.
Can I leave my employer after the 186 is granted?
Yes. Once the visa is granted you hold permanent residence and are free to change employers. Before then, the nomination is tied to the position, so please speak with us before making any move.
Can my partner and children be included?
Yes. Members of your family unit can be included in the application, and we check what each person needs, such as health and character checks.