The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) is one of Australia’s most established pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers. It allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers — or transition temporary visa holders already working in Australia — directly to permanent residency.
What is the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)?
The subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer to live and work in Australia permanently.
Unlike the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), which is a temporary work visa, the subclass 186 grants permanent residency from the date of visa grant. This means you and your eligible family members can remain in Australia indefinitely, work for any employer, and access a pathway to Australian citizenship.
The three streams of the subclass 186 visa
The subclass 186 visa has three distinct streams. The stream you apply under depends on your current visa situation, your relationship with your sponsoring employer, and your occupation.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
The TRT stream is designed for skilled workers who are already working in Australia for their nominating employer on an eligible temporary skilled visa — such as the subclass 482 visa or the former subclass 457 visa.
To be eligible under the TRT stream, you must have worked for the same employer in the same occupation for at least two years on an eligible temporary visa before applying. This stream provides a direct transition from temporary to permanent residency with your current employer.
Key features of the TRT stream
- No separate skills assessment required for most applicants (as skills were assessed at the temporary visa stage)
- Must be nominated by the same employer you have been working for
- At least two years of continuous employment with that employer is required
- English language requirements apply, with some exemptions
Direct Entry stream
The Direct Entry stream is for skilled overseas workers who are being nominated directly for permanent residency without a requirement to have previously held a temporary skilled visa in Australia.
Applicants may be onshore or offshore. A formal skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation is generally required.
Key features of the Direct Entry stream
- No prior Australian temporary visa required
- Skills assessment from a relevant authority is mandatory in most cases
- Suitable for highly skilled workers being recruited directly from overseas
- English language proficiency requirements apply
Labour Agreement stream
The Labour Agreement stream is for workers whose employer has entered into a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. Labour Agreements are negotiated arrangements that allow standard visa conditions to be varied to meet specific industry or company needs.
Concessions available under a Labour Agreement may include relaxed requirements around age, English language proficiency, or salary — depending on the terms of the specific agreement.
Key features of the Labour Agreement stream
- Employer must be party to a formal Labour Agreement
- Concessions on age, English, or salary may be available
- Used in exceptional industry circumstances where standard visa conditions cannot be met
- Agreements may be company-specific or industry-wide
Eligibility requirements for the subclass 186 visa
To be eligible for the subclass 186 visa across most streams, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Employer nomination
You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer who holds or is applying for standard business sponsorship. The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the position and meet all sponsorship obligations.
Age requirement
In most cases, applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination. Some concessions may be available under Labour Agreement arrangements in limited circumstances. There is no age limit for certain high-value occupations or where a specific exemption applies.
Skills assessment
A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body for your nominated occupation is required for Direct Entry stream applicants. Some TRT stream applicants may be exempt if a skills assessment was completed as part of their temporary visa application.
Salary requirements
The nominated position must pay you at least the market salary rate for the occupation and location. This is assessed against the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and must meet or exceed any applicable minimum salary threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs.
English language proficiency
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through an approved test such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Some exemptions apply, including for citizens of certain English-speaking countries and for TRT stream applicants who have held a qualifying visa for a specified period.
Health and character requirements
All applicants must meet the standard Australian health requirements and character requirements, including police clearances from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Processing priorities for the subclass 186 visa
The subclass 186 is subject to Ministerial Direction No. 105, which sets the order in which visa applications are processed. Higher-priority applications are processed before lower-priority ones.
Applications given higher priority
- Nominations for positions located in designated regional areas of Australia
- Positions in healthcare or teaching occupations
- Applications where the nominating employer holds accredited sponsor status
If your application falls outside these priority categories, processing times may be longer. Ensuring your application is complete and error-free from the outset is important for avoiding unnecessary delays.
Subclass 186 visa versus subclass 482 visa: what is the difference?
| Subclass 186 (ENS) | Subclass 482 (TSS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Temporary |
| Residency outcome | Permanent resident from grant date | Temporary — must renew or transition |
| Path to citizenship | Yes | Only via transition to permanent visa |
| Skills assessment | Required (Direct Entry stream) | Required for most occupations |
| Age limit | Under 45 (some exceptions) | Under 45 for most streams |
| Family included | Yes — permanent residency | Yes — temporary |
The subclass 482 is often used as a stepping stone toward the subclass 186 via the TRT stream. Learn more about employer-sponsored visa pathways in Australia.
Get expert help with your subclass 186 application
The subclass 186 is a complex permanent visa, and an application refusal can have significant consequences for your future visa options. Professional guidance from a registered migration agent is strongly recommended.
Immigration AU makes it easy to find and connect with an OMARA-registered migration agent who specialises in employer-sponsored visas — in your city and in your language.
Find a subclass 186 migration agent by location
- Migration agents in Melbourne
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Find a subclass 186 migration agent by language
Our directory includes agents who speak Hindi, Punjabi, Mandarin, Nepali, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, and many more.
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DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all content published on immigrationau.com.au and its associated social media channels. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon for making any visa or migration decisions. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the material may not reflect the most current regulations. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified Australian lawyer before submitting any applications.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
It depends on which stream you are applying under. The TRT stream requires at least two years of employment with the nominating employer on an eligible temporary visa. The Direct Entry stream does not have this requirement — it is open to workers being nominated directly for permanent residency.
In most cases, applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination. Concessions may be available in limited circumstances under a Labour Agreement. Some occupation-specific exemptions may also apply.
Yes. Eligible family members — including your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children — can be included in your application and will also receive permanent residency if your visa is granted.
A skills assessment is generally required for Direct Entry stream applicants. TRT stream applicants are often exempt if a relevant skills assessment was completed at the time of their temporary visa application. Requirements vary by occupation — a registered migration agent can confirm what applies to your situation.
Processing times vary depending on stream, priority category, application completeness, and overall application volumes. Applications in priority categories — such as regional positions or healthcare roles — are typically processed faster. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current indicative processing times.
Yes. Once your subclass 186 visa is granted and you hold permanent residency, you are free to work for any employer in Australia. You are not tied to your sponsoring employer after the visa is granted.
