Australia Employer Nomination Visa 186 – PR Pathway

Subclass 186 Visa: Work and Permanent Residency Pathway in Australia

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa – Subclass 186 is a permanent residency visa for skilled professionals from overseas who are nominated by an Australian employer to work and settle in Australia.

This visa enables Australian businesses to sponsor skilled workers when they are unable to find an appropriately qualified Australian citizen or permanent resident for the role. The visa is available under three different streams:

• Direct Entry Stream – For skilled workers who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia.
• Labour Agreement Stream – For skilled workers sponsored under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian Government.
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream – For Subclass 457 or TSS visa holders who have worked for the same employer for at least three years.

Each stream has unique eligibility rules. In most cases, this visa grants permanent residence and costs start from AUD 4,640. All applicants must meet health, character, skills, and qualification requirements, along with compliance to Australian laws.

Direct Entry Stream

• Overview: Intended for skilled professionals applying directly from outside Australia or those who have worked here only briefly and do not meet TRT stream requirements.
• Stay: Grants permanent residency.
• Fee: From AUD 4,115.
• Processing Time: Around 6–8 months for most cases.
• Key Criteria: Nomination by an eligible Australian employer, relevant occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List, at least three years of relevant experience, meeting skill assessment, qualification, and English language requirements.
• Note: Skill assessment is mandatory. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6 in each band is required. Dependent applicants aged 18 or over must have Functional English (overall IELTS 4.5 or equivalent) within the last 12 months.

Labour Agreement Stream

• Overview: For applicants sponsored under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian Government to address specific skill shortages.
• Stay: Permanent residency.
• Fee: From AUD 4,115.
• Processing Time: Depends on agreement complexity.
• Key Criteria: Must be nominated by an employer with a valid labour agreement, meet all skills, age, and English requirements as per the agreement, and comply with visa conditions.
• Note: From 19 April 2017, CSOL and SOL were replaced by STSOL (Short-Term Skilled Occupation List) and MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List). Employers must nominate occupations listed on either list.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

• Overview: For holders of Subclass 457 or TSS visas who have worked with their sponsoring employer for at least three years and are offered a permanent role.
• Stay: Permanent residency.
• Fee: From AUD 4,115.
• Processing Time: Typically, 6–8 months.
• Key Criteria: Full-time work for the same employer for at least three years, genuine position requirement, meeting skill and qualification requirements, and employer compliance with laws.
• Note: Skill assessment is not required. Applicants must have English language ability equal to IELTS 5 in each band (unless exempt). Secondary applicants over 18 must have Functional English (overall IELTS 4.5 or equivalent) unless exempt.

General Requirements for All Streams

• Must be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless exemptions apply).
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Application must be submitted within six months of employer nomination.
• From March 2018, all applicants must be aged 45 or younger for all streams.

Benefits of the 186 Visa

• Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
• Enrol in Medicare for healthcare coverage.
• Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible).
• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
• Travel to and from Australia freely for five years from the grant date.

Applicant Eligibility

• Be under the age limit (45 years unless exempt).
• Be nominated by an Australian employer operating legally in Australia.
• Possess the required skills, qualifications, and English proficiency.
• Apply within six months of receiving a nomination.
• Meet all health and character requirements.
• Fulfil the criteria for the specific stream you choose.

Employer Eligibility

• Operate lawfully and actively in Australia.
• Meet training benchmark requirements (1% or 2%).
• Have a genuine need to fill a full-time skilled position for at least two years.
• Comply with workplace and immigration laws.
• Offer salary according to industry standards.
• Meet the stream-specific nomination criteria.
• Have no conflicting or misleading business information.

Health & Character Checks

• Provide recent medical examination certificates (within 12 months of application).
• Provide police clearance certificates showing no serious convictions in the past 10 years.

Eligible Family Members

You can include:

• Your spouse or de facto partner.
• Your children or your partner’s children (biological or stepchildren).

Process to Apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

The process to apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) involves the following steps:

1. Step 1: Check Eligibility – Ensure you meet the requirements, including nomination by an approved Australian employer, relevant skills and qualifications, English proficiency, age limit (generally under 45), and health and character standards.
2. Step 2: Employer Nomination – Your employer must lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs under the appropriate stream — Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, or Labour Agreement.
3. Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents – Prepare documents such as your passport, qualifications, skills assessments (if required), employment references, English language test results, police clearances, and medical certificates.
4. Step 4: Submit the Visa Application – Once the nomination is approved, submit your Subclass 186 visa application online via ImmiAccount along with all required documents and pay the visa application fee.
5. Step 5: Health and Character Checks – You and any family members included in your application must complete medical examinations and provide police certificates.
6. Step 6: Biometrics (if applicable) – Depending on your nationality, you may be required to provide biometrics as part of the application process.
7. Step 7: Visa Decision – If approved, you will receive a visa grant notification outlining your visa details, start date, and conditions.

Processing Time for Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

• Direct Entry Stream: Around 5–8 months
• Temporary Residence Transition Stream: Around 6–10 months
• Labour Agreement Stream: Varies based on agreement terms

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Fees for Indian Applicants

• Primary Applicant: AUD 4,910
• Dependents 18 years and above: AUD 2,455 per person
• Dependents under 18 years: AUD 1,230 per person

Additional Costs

• Biometrics: Approximately AUD 60 per applicant
• Medical Examinations: Approximately AUD 350 per applicant
• Nomination Fee (paid by employer): AUD 540
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy (paid by employer): AUD 3,000–5,000

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – Latest Cost

The application fee for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is structured as follows:

• Primary Applicant: AUD 4,910
• Additional Applicant (18 years or over): AUD 2,455
• Dependent Child (under 18 years): AUD 1,230 each

Additional potential expenses:

• Second Installment Fee: Applicants aged 18 or over with less than functional English may be required to pay a second installment fee of AUD 4,890. This fee is generally applied only if the visa is approved.
• Other Costs: Additional expenses may include health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, and document translations.

The application fee for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400) is structured as follows:

• Primary Applicant: AUD 415
• Additional Applicant (18 years or over): AUD 415 each
• Dependent Child (under 18 years): AUD 110 each

Additional potential expenses:

• Credit Card Surcharge: If paying by credit card, a surcharge may apply, typically around 1.4% of the total fee.
• Other Costs: Additional expenses may include health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, and document translations.

Note: Fees are reviewed annually and may change. Ensure you confirm the latest cost before submitting your application.

Why Choose Apical Immigration Experts for Your 186 Visa Application?

Applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa requires careful planning — from getting a positive skills assessment to selecting the correct stream and meeting exemptions for age, skills, and English requirements.

At Apical Immigration Experts, our team of experienced migration professionals has helped numerous applicants successfully secure the Employer Nomination Scheme visa. With over 8 years of expertise in Australian immigration, we are well-equipped to assess your eligibility, select the right pathway, and maximise your chances of approval.

Get started today — we are committed to helping you achieve your Australian dream!