Commonwealth of Australia · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Permanent residence visa for workers nominated by Australian employers.
- Processing time
- Variable — 6–18 months.
- Government fees
- From AUD 4,770 principal.
- Typical duration
- Permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
Subclass 186 is the employer-sponsored permanent residence pathway. Three streams: Temporary Residence Transition (from 482), Direct Entry (for first-time applicants meeting higher thresholds), and Labour Agreement. TRT pathway requirements broadened after the 2024–25 reforms.
Recent changes to this route
- Australia: Skills in Demand thresholds indexed (1 Jul 2025, again 1 Jul 2026) and the MATES scheme for India1 July 2025
The subclass 482 income thresholds were indexed for FY2025-26, with a further rise scheduled for 1 July 2026, and the MATES early-professionals scheme for India is running its annual ballots.
- Australia replaces 482 TSS with the Skills in Demand visa7 December 2024
Australia launched the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) framework with three income-based streams.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian applicants moving from subclass 482 to 186 ENS via the Temporary Residence Transition stream find it the most com…
British applicants
UK nationals typically reach ENS via either TRT (after 2 years on 482) or the Direct Entry stream with a positive skills…
South African applicants
South African professionals use ENS as the main employer-sponsored PR track. SAPS police certificates (8–12 weeks) shoul…
Filipino applicants
Filipino 186 applicants typically reach ENS via TRT after 2 years on subclass 482 in healthcare or trades roles. AHPRA r…
Chinese applicants
Chinese 186 applicants reach ENS via either TRT (after 2 years on 482) or Direct Entry with positive ACS/Engineers Austr…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Nomination by approved employer.
- ✓Occupation on the relevant list (with TRT broadened post-reform).
- ✓Skills assessment if required.
- ✓Competent English, age under 45 (with exemptions).
Common blockers
- !Occupation not on the eligible list.
- !Age over 45 without exemption.
Typical evidence
- ·Employer nomination approval.
- ·Skills assessment.
Application pathway
Employer nominates
Through approved sponsor process.
Applicant lodges visa
With skills, English, and other evidence.
Grant as permanent resident
Subject to health and character checks.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorNominate and apply for 186 ↗
Employers use this page for nomination requirements; workers use it to lodge the linked permanent visa application.
Department of Home Affairs · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: From AUD 4,770 principal.. A decision then typically takes 6 months – 14 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
How long on a 482 before qualifying for the 186 TRT stream?+
2 years as of the post-2024 reforms (reduced from the former 3-year requirement). Verify current settings on Home Affairs.
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