Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 186 at a Glance
Visa type: Permanent residency. Application cost (2025–26): $4,640 (main applicant). Processing time: 6–12 months (Direct Entry), 6–12 months (TRT stream). No points test required. Occupation list: MLTSSL (both streams). Age limit: Under 45 at time of application (exemptions may apply for TRT stream). English requirement: Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). You need an Australian employer to nominate you. Grants permanent residency — live and work anywhere in Australia.
What is the Subclass 186 Visa?
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is an employer-sponsored permanent residency visa. Unlike the 482 temporary visa, the 186 grants you permanent residency from day one — you become a permanent resident when the visa is granted, with access to Medicare, the right to live and work anywhere in Australia, the ability to sponsor family members for migration, and a pathway to Australian citizenship. The 186 is one of the most direct routes to permanent residency in Australia, particularly for skilled workers who have an employer willing to sponsor them. It is also the natural progression for 482 visa holders whose employers want to keep them permanently.
Understanding the Two Main Streams
The 186 visa has two main streams (plus a third less common one). Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream: For people who already hold a Subclass 482 visa (or the old 457 visa) and have worked for their sponsoring employer for at least 2 years. This is the most common pathway and is designed as the natural transition from temporary to permanent employer sponsorship. Direct Entry stream: For applicants who are being nominated directly for permanent sponsorship without having held a 482 visa first. This stream requires a skills assessment and is typically used for overseas applicants or those already in Australia on a different visa type. Labour Agreement stream: For workers sponsored under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian government. This stream has specific conditions set out in the individual labour agreement.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: Detailed Requirements
The TRT stream is the pathway for existing 482 (or old 457) visa holders to transition to permanent residency. Requirements include: You must have held a 482 or 457 visa for at least 2 years (with the same employer who is now nominating you). You must have worked for the nominating employer in the same nominated occupation for at least 2 years on a full-time basis. Your employer must nominate you for a position in an occupation on the MLTSSL. You must be under 45 years old (some exemptions apply — see below). You must have competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). You must meet health and character requirements. A skills assessment is not required for the TRT stream — your 2 years of full-time work with the employer is considered sufficient evidence of your skills. This makes the TRT stream more straightforward than the Direct Entry stream for eligible applicants.
Direct Entry Stream: Detailed Requirements
The Direct Entry stream is for applicants who do not have the required 482/457 visa work history. Requirements include: Your employer must nominate you for a position in an occupation on the MLTSSL. You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation (obtained within the last 3 years). You must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience (unless you have completed an Australian qualification in the last 6 months in some cases). You must be under 45 years old. You must have competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). You must meet health and character requirements. The Direct Entry stream is commonly used by employers who want to recruit a skilled worker from overseas directly into a permanent position, or by workers already in Australia on student or graduate visas who have found an employer willing to sponsor them permanently.
Employer Requirements and Obligations
The nominating employer must meet several requirements. The employer must be an actively and lawfully operating business in Australia. The position must be genuine — a real, full-time role that the business genuinely needs. The position must pay at least the market salary rate (what an equivalent Australian worker would be paid) and meet the annual market salary rate threshold. For the TRT stream, the employer must have employed the applicant for at least 2 years. For the Direct Entry stream, the employer must demonstrate they have genuinely tested the local labour market (unless certain exemptions apply). The employer must pay a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — a one-off payment of $3,000 for small businesses (turnover under $10 million) or $5,000 for larger businesses. Unlike the 482 visa, the 186 grants permanent residency, so the employer's ongoing sponsorship obligations end once the visa is granted. The employee is free to change employers at any time after the visa is granted.
Age Exemptions
The general age requirement is under 45 at the time of application, but exemptions are available. You may be exempt if: You are a current 482 or 457 visa holder nominated by your employer through the TRT stream and you earn above the Fair Work high income threshold ($175,000 per year as of 2025–26). You are an academic, researcher, or scientist nominated for a senior academic position at an Australian university or research institution. You hold a 444 Special Category Visa (New Zealand citizen). Your employer has a labour agreement that allows the age exemption. These exemptions recognise that some highly experienced workers provide significant value regardless of age. If you are over 45 and believe you may qualify for an exemption, consult a migration agent for advice.
Processing Times and What to Expect
The 186 visa application involves two stages, which can be processed concurrently. Stage 1 — Nomination: The employer lodges a nomination application. Processing time is typically 3–6 months. Stage 2 — Visa application: You lodge your visa application. Processing time is typically 6–12 months from lodgement. The nomination and visa application can be lodged at the same time, but the nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted. During processing, you may be asked to provide additional information, complete a medical examination, or undergo a character check. If you are in Australia on a 482 visa, your 482 remains valid while the 186 is processed. If you are offshore, you may need to remain outside Australia or apply for a separate visa to enter Australia while waiting.
Total Costs Breakdown
Government fees: Visa application fee $4,640 (main applicant), $2,320 (additional adult), $1,160 (dependent child). Nomination fee: $330 (paid by the employer). SAF levy: $3,000 (small business) or $5,000 (turnover $10M+), paid by the employer. Skills assessment (Direct Entry stream only): $300–$1,500 depending on the assessing authority. English language test: $395–$410. Medical examination: $300–$500 per person. Police checks: $50–$200 per country. Migration agent fees: $3,000–$6,000 (may be paid by the employer). Many employers cover some or all of the costs, particularly the nomination fee, SAF levy, and sometimes the visa application fee and agent fees. This is negotiable between you and your employer. Use our cost estimator at /tools/cost-estimator for a personalised breakdown.
186 vs 482: Planning Your Pathway
If you are currently on a 482 visa or considering employer sponsorship for the first time, understanding the relationship between the 482 and 186 is important. Many workers start with a 482 visa and transition to the 186 after 2 years through the TRT stream. This is a well-established pathway that allows both employer and employee to assess the fit before committing to permanent sponsorship. If you are eligible for the Direct Entry stream (have a skills assessment and the right qualifications), going straight to the 186 saves time — you get permanent residency immediately rather than waiting 2+ years on a 482. Discuss the options with your employer and a migration agent to determine the best strategy for your situation. Read our Subclass 482 guide at /guides/subclass-482-temporary-skill-shortage-visa for details on the temporary visa pathway.
Find an Agent for Your 186 Application
The 186 visa involves coordination between you and your employer, and both parties benefit from professional guidance. A migration agent can advise your employer on their obligations, ensure the nomination is correctly lodged, prepare your visa application, and help plan the most efficient pathway to permanent residency. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents specialising in employer-sponsored visas, learn more at /visa/employer-sponsored-visa, or verify any agent's credentials at /tools/mara-check.
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