The 186 visa is a direct pathway for skilled workers to secure permanent residency in Australia through an employer who values their contribution. It suits professionals ready to put down roots and build a stable future with long-term career prospects. If you’re looking to stay for good, Australia’s 186 visa opens the door to a life where your skills, dedication and family can truly thrive. Let Ten Heads Immigration Consultants help you make that future a reality.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. It allows eligible workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
This visa has three streams:
Below is a more in-depth look into each stream available under the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). The right pathway for you will depend on your current visa status, work history and nomination circumstances.
This stream is designed for skilled workers who are already in Australia on a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 (SID) visa and have worked full-time for their nominating employer in the same occupation for at least two years in the last three years.
This 186 visa stream is for skilled professionals who are either applying from outside Australia or have only briefly worked in Australia and do not hold a 457 or 482 visa.
This stream is for skilled workers nominated under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian Government. These agreements are used in circumstances where standard visa pathways do not meet a business’s workforce needs.
The 186 visa offers a range of long-term advantages for skilled workers and their families. As a permanent residency visa, it gives applicants the ability to settle in Australia with greater freedom, security, and opportunity — making it one of the most attractive migration pathways under the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
Permanent residency — The subclass 186 visa grants you and eligible family members permanent residency in Down Under. This means you can live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare and access many public services.
Grow your career long-term — Unlike temporary visas, the 186 visa offers permanent residency, giving you the freedom to change employers and pursue broader career opportunities.
Access to social and financial benefits — As a permanent resident, you can access Australia’s social security benefits (subject to waiting periods) and enjoy more stability when applying for loans or buying property.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship — Children born in Australia to parents who are PR – become citizens by birth.
Access to Medicare — As a permanent resident, you can enrol in Medicare and access Australia’s public healthcare system.
Education benefits for school-going children — School-aged children can attend public schools without paying international student fees.
Education support for higher education — You and your dependents may be eligible for domestic student rates at Australian universities, as well as access to government-supported programs in some cases.
Social security access — Subject to applicable waiting periods, permanent residents can access a range of social security payments and services through Centrelink.
Easier access to financing — Permanent residency status can improve your eligibility when applying for bank loans or mortgages.
Travel rights — You can travel to and from Australia for up to five years from the date the subclass 186 visa is granted.
Sponsor family members — Once you become a permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members for Australian visas.
Job market advantage — Once your PR is granted, in the future, employers may prefer hiring permanent residents due to fewer sponsorship obligations and reduced administrative burden.
No invitation or points test required — Unlike the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas (e.g., 189 or 190), the 186 visa does not require an invitation to apply or to meet a minimum points threshold.
To qualify for the subclass 186 visa, you and your employer are mandated to meet specific requirements under the relevant stream.
Your employer can nominate a genuine full‑time position listed on the skilled occupation lists and meet salary and labour market conditions.
Applicants generally must be under 45 at the time of application. Exemptions may be available under the TRT Stream and Labour Agreement Stream.
Competent English is required, typically demonstrated by an IELTS score of at least 6.0 in each band or equivalent. Some applicants (e.g. from certain countries like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.) may qualify for exemptions.
You must meet the required qualifications and be able to do the nominated job. Direct Entry applicants need a positive skills assessment.
All visa applicants and included family members must meet Australia’s health and character standards (medical exams, police clearances).
At Ten Heads Immigration, we guide you through the 186 visa process with clarity and personal support — from your first consultation to application lodgement and beyond. Here’s how we work with you:
Consultation & Engagement: Start with a personalised consultation via Zoom or over the phone. We’ll assess your eligibility, map out potential visa pathways, and explain next steps. If you choose to proceed, we’ll formalise our engagement and begin preparing your case.
Preparation & Strategy: Every client is different. We develop tailored visa strategies and prepare written submissions aligned with your unique background, occupation, and long-term goals. Our team ensures your application is supported by robust evidence and fully meets legal requirements.
Employer Nomination & Compliance: We work closely with your sponsoring employer to ensure they meet all obligations, including Labour Market Testing (LMT), salary benchmarks, and nomination requirements.
Employee Application Submission: At the same time, we guide the visa applicant in gathering the required documents: qualifications, work history, English proficiency, health and character evidence, and more.
Application Lodgement & Communication: With both components finalised, we submit the complete application to the Department. From here, we take care of all communications with immigration authorities and keep you informed of progress and timelines.
Decision & Post-Lodgement Support: We notify you promptly once a decision is made.
At Ten Heads Immigration, we provide a full 186 Visa Document Checklist for employers and employees, including identity documents, evidence of skills and experience, nomination documents, and any additional requirements tailored to your case. We’re proud to be trusted by a growing network of Australian businesses who return to us every time they need to sponsor skilled professionals.
Our team has successfully placed 186 visa applicants across key industries, including healthcare, technology, engineering, aviation, startups, and more. Whether you’re already in Australia or applying from overseas — including Singapore, the UK, New Zealand, India, or Southeast Asia — we know how to tailor your strategy and documents for real outcomes.
We also provide a comprehensive 186 visa document checklist for both employers and employees, helping you gather the right evidence from day one.
Learn about our services, explore other options like Skilled Visas and National Innovation Visa, and get the guidance you need to secure your place in Australia. Ready to make the move? Contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. Visa eligibility and requirements may change over time and vary depending on individual circumstances. We recommend booking a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent at Ten Heads Immigration for personalised advice tailored to your situation. For official information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
The subclass 186 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Eligibility depends on the stream but generally includes having a relevant occupation, meeting English, work experience, health and age requirements, and receiving a valid employer nomination.
A skills assessment is required for the Direct Entry stream, but not usually needed for the Temporary Residence Transition stream if you’ve worked with your employer in the same role on a 457 or 482 visa for 2 years in the last 3 years.
Yes, you can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application. If granted, they will also receive permanent residency.
No, unlike the 482 visa, employers nominating for the subclass 186 visa do not need to be approved standard business sponsors. However, they must meet nomination requirements and comply with Australian workplace standards.
Unlike the 189 and 190 visas, the 186 visa requires employer nomination and does not require an invitation to apply or points test. It is a pathway to permanent residency through sponsorship rather than independent or state nomination.
Step into your future in Australia with the skilled visa pathway. At Ten Heads Immigration Experts, we specialise in navigating the complexities of skilled visa applications. Our dedicated team offers tailored advice and expert assistance to streamline your journey.
Let us guide you through each step, ensuring a smoother transition to your professional life in Australia.
Under the skilled visas, points are given for factors like age, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, state nomination and more. The minimum points required are 65 points but generally the invitations are received at higher points. This is because there is high demand for these visas and the applicants with higher point are mostly invited before the applicants with lower points.
Family members can be included. Your partner and dependent children are considered family members. Dependent children have a detailed definition in Migration Law and so if the definition of a Partner.
All occupations can be assessed by a nominated skill assessment body and all skill assessment bodies have their own specific requirements.
Skilled visa process does not require a job offer in Australia unless it is a requirement for a state nomination.
Migration Law keeps on changing as per the needs of the economy. It is best to consult a Registered Migration Agent to make sure that you are aware of the latest changes in the Australian Migration Law and Policy.
Yes, we assist with state nomination process as getting an invitation for you is our highest endeavour.
The minimum requirement for English is competent English, which can be demonstarted through nominated English tests or if you have a passport of a nominated country like United Kingdom, United States etc. In most cases, a higher score is required in English to have a competitive score on the points test to secure an invitation.
Processing times vary greatly and can range between 6 months to about a year on an average.
Primary applicant should be less than 45 years at the time of invitation for the visa.
Generally, a declaration os funds may need to be provided at the state nomination stage but there is no need to provide evidence of funds for the visa application.
If your application was made while you were onshore in Australia, you may have a right to review within a certain period with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). We specialsie in AAT reviews, kindly send us the details and our Registered Migration Agent will set up an initial consultation to discuss your case.
Discover how hiring a migration agent can enhance the efficiency and success of your skilled visa application, providing expert guidance and ensuring compliance with immigration laws. You can read more about it here.
There are many pathways to permanent residency if you currently hold a temporary visa in Autsralia. Dependning on your circumstances and your eligibility, our Registered Migration Agents will discuss the options in details with you.
Yes, all family members will need to undergo a health examination before the visa is finalsied. If you have a question regarding the health criteria, pl get in touch with us.
No, a skilled visa is not possible, if your occupation is not on MLTSSL, STSOL or the ROL list. There may be other options for you to migrate, for exmaple Employer-sponsored visas, family visas, student visa etc.
Stay updated on the latest COVID-19-related immigration policies and how they may affect skilled visa processing, travel, and quarantine requirements.
