Subclass 186

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Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa — overview

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to fill a full-time position. If granted, it lets you live and work in Australia permanently.

Fundamental criteria

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
For applicants who hold a subclass 457/482 (or eligible bridging visa) and have usually worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years with their sponsor.
Note: TRT streams do not use an occupation list in the same way as Direct Entry—eligibility is generally linked to the occupation on your most recently held sponsored skilled visa.

Direct Entry (DE) stream
For applicants who are nominated for a permanent role and generally require a skills assessment (unless an exemption applies), and must meet other criteria such as age/English/experience relevant to the role.

Labour Agreement stream-please refer to our DAMA page
For applicants nominated under an approved labour agreement, where requirements are guided by the terms of that agreement (including age/English concessions if applicable).

Labour Agreement stream (LA)-please refer to our DAMA page

Applies to all streams

Direct Entry stream (DE)

Be nominated for an occupation from prescribed occupation list .
Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience (unless exempt).
Have a positive skills assessment (unless exempt).
Be under 45 at time of application (unless exempt).
Have at least Competent English.

Temporary Residence Transition stream (TRT)

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FAQs

I realized that 186 requires 3 years working experience, How the working experience counted?

You will need 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent, and working experience can only be counted after your relevant qualifications in last 5 years

If my work experience was gained as a contractor or subcontractor, am I still eligible to apply for the visa?

You can still apply, as long as you can provide strong evidence of your work, such as tax invoices, bank statements that match those invoices, and your tax returns. Most importantly, the business you worked for should provide a letter confirming your subcontractor start date, average hours per week, job title/role, and detailed duties.

I currently have 2 years of work experience, so I may only be eligible to apply for a subclass 482 visa at this stage. If i obtain a 482 visa and continue working in the same role, can I apply for the subclass 186 direct entry stream after one more year of continuous work (making 3 years in total), instead of working a further two years to apply under the subclass 186 TRT stream?

Yes, you can, as long as your occupation still on the prescribed list after 1 year, if not, then you have to work two years to do the TRT. Please refer to the link to check the occupation https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01618/latest/text

I have my 186 direct entry granted, can I quit the job or change to another employer immediately after visa grant?

The subclass 186 is a permanent visa and it usually does not include a visa condition requiring you to stay with the nominating employer. However, the Department of Home Affairs expects you to work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years (as per the Job agreement you provided to the department) and to commence employment within 6 Months. If your circumstances genuinely change after grant, you may be able to change employers, but leaving immediately without a genuine reason may create concerns about whether the nomination and visa were lodged with a genuine intention.

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