Register an Account
0
Bookings
Free Assessment
Register an Account
0
Bookings
Free Assessment

Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

  • Home
  • Visa
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

Get Advice on a 186 ENS

Subclass 186

Employer Nomination Scheme

The Subclass 186 is Australia’s primary permanent employer-sponsored visa, giving skilled overseas workers the ability to settle in Australia long-term. What sets it apart from the 482 is that it grants permanent residency from the moment it is approved — there is no temporary period to work through first. For many skilled workers, it represents the end goal of their Australian migration journey.

Get Advice
We can help you with the most up-to-date and detailed guidance for your specific case.
What You Can Do With This Visa

Once granted, holders can live and work in Australia indefinitely, study without restrictions, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and travel freely in and out of Australia for five years. After meeting the residency requirements, holders can also apply for Australian citizenship.

Three Streams

The 186 visa operates across three streams.

1
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
This is designed for people already working in Australia on a Subclass 482 or legacy 457 visa. After two years of employment with the sponsoring employer, the worker can be nominated for permanent residency through this stream. The occupation does not need to be re-assessed against any occupation list, as it was already approved at the 482 stage.
2
Direct Entry Stream
This stream is open to workers both inside and outside Australia who have not held a 482 or 457 visa. It requires at least three years of relevant work experience, a positive skills assessment, and the nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This stream typically has longer processing times than the TRT stream.
3
Labour Agreement Stream
This mirrors the Labour Agreement stream of the 482 visa but leads directly to permanent residency. It applies where the employer holds a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government, and is commonly used in sectors such as aged care, horticulture, and meat processing.

Key Eligibility Criteria

Applicants across all streams must be under 45 years of age at the time of lodgement, meet English language standards, and satisfy health and character requirements. The sponsoring employer must be actively operating, hold a genuine ongoing position, and pay the market salary rate for the role.

Processing Times
Timeframes vary by stream. The TRT stream generally moves faster, while the Direct Entry and Labour Agreement streams can take considerably longer depending on the complexity of the case and current departmental workloads.
Pathway to Citizenship
The 186 visa is not just a permanent residency grant — it is also the stepping stone to Australian citizenship. Once holders meet the required residency period, they are eligible to apply, making this one of the most complete migration outcomes available through the employer-sponsored pathway.
Get Advice
We can help you with the most up-to-date and detailed guidance for your specific case.
+
Visa Submissions
1 %
Visa Approvals
1 +
Years of Experience
1 %
Client Satisfaction

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Common Questions To 186 Employer Nomination Scheme

Considering whether a Employer Nomination Scheme is right for you can be a daunting task.  Here are some of the more common questions we get asked.
What are the prerequisites for a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme?
Applicants across all streams must be under 45 years of age at the time of lodgement, meet English language standards, and satisfy health and character requirements. The sponsoring employer must be actively operating, hold a genuine ongoing position, and pay the market salary rate for the role.
How difficult is the process for a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme?
As with all Visas, preparation is key. Having a sound strategy, collating and structuring documents as required by the department, and preparing submissions accurately are critical to minimise challenges during the process.

Contact Us to discuss your particular case to and map out a plan to achieve your immigration goals.
How much does a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Cost?
Along with migration agency fees, government fees are payable and vary depending on circumstances, and may include registration, nomination, assessment and testing costs.


Contact Us to discuss your particular case to get an estimation of costs involved for you.
How do I begin?
The best first step is to Get Advice from an experienced professional in Immigration Law.

Contact Us to discuss your particular case to and map out a plan to achieve your immigration goals.
LEARN MORE

HOW CAN RELIABLE IMMIGRATION SERVICE HELP YOU

Service Options

1
Get Advice
As a starting point, we can offer you advice on your immigration legal matter so you can make an informed decision.
2
Visa Strategy Planning
For a more comprehensive plan, book a time to develop a immigration strategy to achieve your goals.
3
Professional Visa Service
For your peace of mind, we can take care of your visa matter from start to finish and expertly guide you through the entire process.
5
Document Review
If you have already prepared documents we can review and provide recommendations on how best to improve your visa submission.
4
DIY Products
We offer templates, step-by-step guides and other supporting tools for people who prefer to do their own submissions.
6
Visa Refusal / Appeals
We offer expert review and counsel on visa refusals and advice on options and appeal options.
Contact Us
We can provide advice, strategic planning, document review, DIY templates and guides, as well as end-to-end management of your visa matter.

Navigate Your Migration Journey With Confidence With Reliable Immigration Service

Book Your FREE Initial Assessment

FREE INITIAL ASSESSMENT
0