Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa Subclass 186 is Australia’s primary employer-sponsored pathway to permanent residence. If an approved Australian employer is willing to nominate you for a skilled position, this visa lets you live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely — with no points test required.

This guide covers every stream, eligibility requirement, cost, processing time, and step of the application process for 2026. All figures should be verified against the official Department of Home Affairs website before you rely on them, as thresholds and fees are updated regularly.

What Is the Subclass 186 Visa?

The Subclass 186 visa — formally known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa — grants permanent residence from the day it is approved. Unlike temporary work visas, there is no expiry date and no requirement to renew. It is one of the most sought-after employer-sponsored visas in Australia because it provides immediate, permanent status rather than a provisional stepping stone.

The process involves two linked applications:

1. A nomination lodged by an approved Australian employer.
2. A visa application lodged by the skilled worker (and any included family members).

No points test applies. Eligibility is determined by your sponsorship, occupation, skills, and work experience.

The Three Streams of the Subclass 186 Visa

The right stream depends on your visa history, your relationship with the nominating employer, and your occupation. There are three streams:

1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

This is generally the smoother and most common pathway. It is designed for workers who are already in Australia on a temporary skilled visa and have built a track record with their sponsor.

• You must hold, or have recently held, a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) or Subclass 457 visa.
• You must have worked full-time for at least 2 years in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer.
• Your nomination must have been approved within the 6 months before you lodge the visa application.
• No upper age limit applies in most cases.
• No separate skills assessment is generally required (the 482/457 pathway already covered this).

If you are currently on a Subclass 482 visa, see our detailed guide: Australian Skilled Visa Subclass 482: The Complete 2026 Guide.

2. Direct Entry Stream

This stream is for skilled workers who do not have the required 482/457 visa history, including many applicants who are applying from overseas or who have not worked for the nominating employer on a temporary skilled visa.

• You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. Limited exemptions exist for academics, scientists, researchers, and certain New Zealand visa holders.
• You need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
• You must have at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience (unless exempt).
• Your occupation must generally appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which covers approximately 456 occupations.
• Competent English is required (see below).

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream applies where the employer has a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements are negotiated for industries or employers facing specific workforce needs that cannot be met through standard visa programs. Age, skills, and English requirements vary according to the terms of the individual agreement.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Regardless of stream, all Subclass 186 applicants must meet certain baseline requirements.

Employer Nomination

An approved Australian employer must nominate you for a genuine, full-time skilled position. The employer must demonstrate it has the financial capacity to pay the full-time salary for the nominated position for at least the next 2 years. Failure to demonstrate this financial capacity is one of the most common reasons for nomination refusal.

Health and Character

All applicants must meet Australian health requirements (typically a medical examination) and character requirements (police clearances from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years).

English Language Requirement

The primary applicant must demonstrate Competent English. You are automatically exempt if you hold a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Otherwise, you must achieve the following minimum scores in an approved English test (taken within the required validity period):

Secondary applicants (partners and children aged 18 or over) generally need Functional English or may pay a second instalment of the visa application charge. Always confirm current test requirements on the Department of Home Affairs Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream page.

Salary Requirements: Core Skills Income Threshold

The nominated position must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation and location — whichever is higher.

• 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026: AUD $76,515 per year
• From 1 July 2026: Approximately AUD $79,423–$79,499 (indexed annually)

The AMSR requirement means the employer cannot simply pay the minimum threshold — they must pay what the market pays for that role in that location. This is assessed at the nomination stage.

Costs: How Much Does the Subclass 186 Visa Cost in 2026?

The total cost involves charges paid by both the employer and the applicant. The figures below are a general guide; use the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the Department of Home Affairs website for your exact situation.

The total cost for the combined process typically ranges between AUD $8,450 and AUD $10,450 or more depending on employer size and the number of family members included. Note that the Visa Application Charge increased from 1 July 2026. Concessions may apply for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.

Processing Times

Processing times for the Subclass 186 vary significantly depending on the stream, the completeness of your application, and the Department’s current caseload. As a general guide based on figures published by the Department of Home Affairs:

• 25% of applications are finalised within approximately 4 months.
• 50% of applications (median) are finalised within approximately 11 months.
• 90% of applications are finalised within approximately 20 months.

TRT stream applications are often processed faster than Direct Entry applications. Processing is also prioritised according to Ministerial Direction — regional positions and healthcare or teaching occupations may receive priority, as do applications from accredited sponsors.

Important: These figures change frequently. Always check the official Visa Processing Times tool on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the most current estimates before planning your application timeline.

What the Subclass 186 Visa Allows You to Do

Once granted, the Employer Nomination Scheme visa provides the following entitlements for the holder and any included family members:

• Live, work, and study in Australia permanently with no restrictions.
• Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence.
• Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health insurance scheme.
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date of visa grant (after which a Resident Return Visa is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident).
• Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements — generally 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident.

No Points Test Required

Unlike the points-tested skilled migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, and 491), the Subclass 186 does not use Australia’s 65-point calculator. Eligibility is assessed entirely on the basis of employer sponsorship, occupation, skills assessment, work experience, and the standard health and character requirements. This makes it an attractive option for skilled workers who may not score highly enough for an invitation through SkillSelect.

To compare the Subclass 186 with points-tested pathways, see our guide: Australian Skilled Visa Subclasses: 189, 190, 491 & 482 Compared (2026 Guide).

Common Reasons for Refusal

Understanding why applications are refused can help you avoid the same pitfalls:

• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation — missing work references, gaps in employment history, or documents not meeting format requirements.
• Salary below market rate — the nominated salary does not reflect what the market pays for the role in that location.
• Skills mismatch — the applicant’s assessed skills or qualifications do not align with the nominated occupation.
• Employer financial capacity — the employer has not demonstrated it can sustain the full-time salary for at least 2 years.
• Position not genuine — the Department determines the role was created primarily to facilitate a visa rather than to fill a genuine business need.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Confirm eligibility: Identify which stream applies to you and check that your occupation appears on the relevant occupation list (CSOL for Direct Entry).
2. Employer lodges nomination: Your employer submits a nomination application online and pays the nomination fee and SAF levy.
3. Obtain a skills assessment (Direct Entry stream): Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
4. Sit an English test (if not exempt): Book and complete an approved English language test.
5. Gather supporting documents: Work references, payslips, qualifications, police clearances, and medical examination results.
6. Lodge the visa application: Submit online via ImmiAccount. You may be able to lodge at the same time as the nomination or after it is approved, depending on your circumstances.
7. Await a decision: The Department may request further information (a section 56 request). Respond promptly and completely.

Subclass 186 vs Other Skilled Visa Pathways

The Subclass 186 is not the only route to permanent residence in Australia. Here is a quick comparison with other common pathways:

For a full comparison, read our guide: Australian Skilled Visa Subclasses: 189, 190, 491 & 482 Compared (2026 Guide). For the points-tested permanent residency pathway, see the Subclass 189 Complete Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I include family members on my Subclass 186 application?

Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in your application as secondary applicants. They will receive the same permanent residence status and entitlements. Secondary applicants aged 18 or over must generally demonstrate Functional English or pay an additional visa charge instalment.

Do I need a skills assessment for the TRT stream?

Generally no — if you have already held a Subclass 482 or 457 visa, a skills assessment was completed as part of that process. However, exceptions exist, and you should confirm the requirements for your specific occupation and circumstances.

Can I change employers while my Subclass 186 application is pending?

This is a complex area. The nomination is tied to a specific employer and position. If you change employers, the existing nomination may no longer be valid and a new nomination may be required. Seek advice from a registered migration agent before making any employment changes while your application is pending.

Is the Subclass 186 affected by occupation lists?

For the Direct Entry stream, your occupation must generally appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The TRT stream is generally not restricted to the CSOL, provided your occupation was eligible under your 482 or 457 visa. Occupation lists are updated periodically, so always verify current eligibility.

What happens if my nomination is refused?

If the nomination is refused, the visa application cannot be granted. You may have review rights depending on the reason for refusal. Common grounds for nomination refusal include failure to demonstrate financial capacity and salary below market rate.

Important Disclaimer

Immigration rules, occupation lists, salary thresholds, and fees change regularly. Significant updates occurred in late 2024 and July 2026. All figures in this article should be independently verified against the official Department of Home Affairs Subclass 186 page before you rely on them. This article is general information only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a MARA-registered migration agent or immigration lawyer.

For a broader overview of how skilled migration works in Australia, see our guide: How to Get a Skilled Visa to Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide.