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Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa is a permanent visa designed for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia long-term. It allows Australian employers to sponsor qualified overseas workers when suitable local talent is not available.

This visa has three key streams:

🔹Direct Entry Stream – Ideal for skilled workers who have limited or no prior work experience in Australia.
🔹Labour Agreement Stream – For candidates nominated under a formal labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.
🔹Temporary Residence Transition Stream – For individuals holding a Subclass 457 or Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa who have worked for the same employer for at least three years.

Each stream comes with its own eligibility criteria. In general, this is a permanent visa, with application costs starting at AUD 4,640. Applicants must meet health and character requirements, hold relevant skills and qualifications, and adhere to Australian laws and visa conditions.

Direct Entry Stream

Overview:
This stream is designed for skilled workers who have not previously worked in Australia or have done so only for a short time. It is ideal for applicants outside Australia or those who don’t qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.

Visa Type: Permanent Residency
Visa Fee: Starting from AUD 4,115
Processing Time: Around 6 to 8 months

✅ Eligibility Criteria:

🔹Must be nominated by an Australian employer
🔹Occupation must be listed on the Skilled Occupation List
🔹Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience
🔹Meet required skill, qualification, and English language levels

✅ Important:

🔹A skills assessment is mandatory
🔹English language requirement: IELTS 6 in each band (or equivalent)
🔹Secondary applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent in the last 12 months)

Labour Agreement Stream

Overview:
This stream is for skilled workers sponsored under a labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government to address labour shortages.

Visa Type: Permanent Residency
Visa Fee: Starting from AUD 4,115
Processing Time: Varies depending on the agreement

✅ Eligibility Criteria:

🔹Must be nominated by an employer with a valid labour agreement
🔹Must meet age, skill, and English language requirements as per the agreement
🔹Must comply with all visa conditions

✅ Note:

🔹Occupation must appear on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
🔹Stay updated as these lists are reviewed regularly

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

Overview:
This stream is for Subclass 457 or TSS visa holders who have worked with the same employer in Australia for at least three years and are now being offered a permanent position.

Visa Type: Permanent Residency
Visa Fee: Starting from AUD 4,115
Processing Time: Around 6 to 8 months

✅ Eligibility Criteria:

🔹Minimum of 3 years of full-time work with the nominating employer
🔹Demonstrate genuine need for the role
🔹Must meet skill and qualification standards
🔹Employer must have adhered to immigration and workplace laws

✅ Important:

🔹No skills assessment is required
🔹English language requirement: IELTS 5 in each band (unless exempt)
🔹Secondary applicants over 18 must meet Functional English criteria

🎁 Benefits of the 186 Visa

With a 186 visa, you and your family can:

🔹Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely
🔹Access Medicare for healthcare services
🔹Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
🔹Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
🔹Travel freely to and from Australia for 5 years from visa grant

✅ Applicant Eligibility Criteria

You must:

🔹Be under 45 years of age (exceptions may apply)
🔹Be nominated by a legally operating Australian employer
🔹Apply within 6 months of receiving your nomination
🔹Demonstrate required skills, qualifications, and English proficiency
🔹Fulfill the health and character requirements
🔹Meet the specific criteria of the stream you are applying under

✅ Employer Eligibility Criteria

🔹To nominate someone, an employer must:
🔹Operate legally and actively in Australia
🔹Meet training benchmark requirements
🔹Have a genuine need to fill a full-time skilled position for at least 2 years
🔹Adhere to immigration and workplace laws
🔹Offer remuneration aligned with industry standards
🔹Provide complete and accurate information

🏥 Health & Character Requirements

All applicants and included family members must submit:
🔹Medical examination certificates (taken within 12 months of applying)
🔹Police clearance certificates showing no significant criminal history over the past 10 years

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Eligible Family Members

You may include:

🔹Your spouse or partner
🔹Your or your partner’s child or step-child

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Visa Class
General Skilled Migration Visa

The General Skilled Migration Visa is ideal for skilled workers who wish to live and work permanently in Australia.

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💡 Let Education Connect Support You!

Applying for a 186 visa is a detailed process that requires accuracy, understanding of migration law, and timely action. From choosing the right stream to providing correct documentation, there’s no room for error.

At Education Connect, our experienced immigration consultants and registered agents bring years of expertise to assist with:

  • Selecting the correct visa stream

  • Guiding through skills assessments

  • Meeting English language and exemption requirements

  • Ensuring a strong, complete application

We’re committed to helping you secure your future in Australia with confidence and clarity.

Ready to take the next step?
Let Education Connect be your trusted partner in your visa journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia on a long-term basis. To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer who is actively operating a legal business in Australia. This visa offers a pathway to Australian permanent residency and opens the door to benefits like Medicare and eventual citizenship.

The Subclass 186 visa includes three different streams to suit various applicant circumstances. These are the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, the Direct Entry (DE) stream, and the Labour Agreement stream. Each stream has its own specific criteria based on your work history, visa status, and employer arrangement, allowing skilled workers to apply according to their individual situation.

To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa, you must have an employer who is willing to nominate you for a skilled position in their organization. You should also meet the required skill levels and hold the necessary qualifications for the nominated occupation. Additionally, all applicants must satisfy Australia's health and character requirements to ensure a smooth visa process and long-term integration.

A skills assessment may be required depending on the stream and the occupation you are applying under. For example, the Direct Entry stream generally requires a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. However, applicants under the Temporary Residence Transition stream may not need one unless the position specifically requires it.

Yes, there is an English language requirement for most applicants of the Subclass 186 visa. The required level of English depends on the stream under which you apply and your nominated occupation. Generally, this means demonstrating proficiency through a recognized English language test like IELTS, unless you are exempt due to your nationality, education, or work background. Secondary applicants over 18 also need to show Functional English ability.

Yes, the Subclass 186 visa allows you to include eligible family members in your application. This includes your spouse or de facto partner, as well as your dependent children or stepchildren. All family members included in the application must also meet the required health and character standards. This inclusion supports family unity while settling permanently in Australia.