186 Visa — Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Residency)

This guide covers the three streams, eligibility requirements, costs, and how the 186 connects to the 407 Training Visa and 482 Skills in Demand pathways.

Three streams

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream

For workers who hold (or have held) a Subclass 482 visa and have worked full-time in their nominated occupation for approved sponsors for at least 2 years in the 3 years before nomination (Core Skills and Specialist Skills stream holders use the TRT stream; Labour Agreement stream holders use the 186 Labour Agreement stream). Since 29 November 2025 only employment with an employer that held sponsorship approval at the time counts. This is the most common pathway — the worker has already been in Australia, working in the role, and the employer is converting them to permanent.

Key requirements:

• Hold or have held a 482 visa
• Worked for the nominating employer for the required period
• Under 45 years of age when the visa application is made (exemptions apply in limited circumstances)
• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent)
• Skills assessment generally NOT required

Direct Entry stream

For workers who have not held a 482 visa, or who haven't completed the required work period. This stream requires a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years of relevant work experience.

Key requirements:

• Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority — where you have the experience but no formal qualification, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may help you obtain one
• At least 3 years of relevant post-qualification work experience
• Under 45 years of age when the visa application is made
• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent)
• Nominated occupation on the relevant occupation list

Labour Agreement stream

For workers sponsored under a formal labour agreement between their employer and the Australian Government. Requirements depend on the specific agreement. This stream is less common and typically applies to industries or regions with special arrangements, including some DAMA agreements.

Costs

Fees are indexed annually (typically 1 July). Verify current rates at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The nomination fee and SAF levy are employer obligations and cannot be recovered from the worker under Migration Regulation 2.87.

Salary requirements

The nominated salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) — $79,423 per year for applications lodged from 1 July 2026 (it was $76,515 for lodgements up to 30 June 2026, and it indexes annually). For Specialist Skills stream occupations, the threshold is higher ($141,210, rising to $146,576). The salary must also be no less than what an equivalent Australian worker would be paid for the same role.

The 407 → 482 → 186 pathway

A common pathway for workers in training roles:

1. 407 Training Visa — structured workplace training (1-2 years)
2. 482 Skills in Demand Visa — employer sponsors the worker for a skilled position (2-4 years)
3. 186 Employer Nomination — after 2-3 years on the 482, the employer nominates for permanent residence

This is a long pathway (5-7 years total) but it provides structured progression from training to skilled employment to permanent residence. Each stage has its own application, fees, and requirements.

Note: the 407 does not directly lead to the 186. A 482 visa is required as the intermediate step. For businesses considering this pathway, see our guide on how to become an approved sponsor.

Age requirement

Applicants must generally be under 45 — tested when the visa application is made, not when the nomination is lodged and not when the application is decided. Nomination and visa are usually lodged close together, so the distinction only bites for applicants near the limit — but for them it decides the sequencing. Limited exemptions apply — for example, for certain academic, research, or senior executive positions, or where the applicant is nominated for a position earning above a specified salary threshold. The age exemption rules are narrow and should not be relied on without specific advice.

English language requirement

The 186 requires "competent English" — IELTS 6.0 in each band (or PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 12 each, OET B each). Some applicants may be exempt if they hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Republic of Ireland. English test results are generally valid for 3 years.

Processing times

Processing times vary significantly:

• TRT stream: typically 3-8 months
• Direct Entry: typically 6-18 months
• Labour Agreement: varies by agreement

Processing times are published by the Department and change frequently. Check current estimates at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Common reasons for refusal

• Position is not genuine — the Department assesses whether the role is real and necessary
• Salary below the applicable threshold
• Applicant does not meet the age requirement
• English test scores do not meet the minimum
• Skills assessment is negative or expired (Direct Entry stream)
• Employer is not an approved sponsor or has compliance issues
• Insufficient evidence of the required work period (TRT stream)

Discuss your 186 visa pathway

This page contains general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Fees and requirements are subject to change. Verify all figures with the Department of Home Affairs before making decisions. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under section 43 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.