186 Direct Entry Stream Australia (2026)
Requirements, Skills Assessment & PR Pathway

Last updated: 15 September 2026 · RACC Migration & Education Services

The 186 Direct Entry stream lets skilled workers apply for permanent residency through employer sponsorship without needing to first hold a 482 or 457 visa. It is designed for experienced professionals who have a job offer from an Australian employer and meet the occupation, skills, and age requirements.

Quick Summary of 186 Direct Entry Stream

For skilled workers applying directly for permanent residency

Must be under 45 years old (exemptions apply)

Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

Skills assessment required for most applicants

At least 3 years relevant work experience required (unless exempt)

Grants permanent residency immediately from date of approval

Visa fee: AUD 6,140 main applicant (see Cost section below for family member charges)

Processing time: 50% of applications in 13 months, 90% in 21 months (as at September 2026)

What Is the 186 Direct Entry Stream?

The Direct Entry stream is one of three streams under the 186 visa. Unlike the TRT stream which is for workers already in Australia on a 482 visa, the Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers applying from overseas, or from outside the 482 pathway who have not yet worked for their sponsoring employer in Australia.

Most applicants need a positive skills assessment before they apply, at least 3 years of relevant work experience, and must be under 45.

Who Is the Direct Entry Stream For?

The Direct Entry stream suits you if:

You are applying from overseas and have a job offer from an approved Australian employer
Your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
You have at least 3 years relevant work experience
You are under 45 (or qualify for an age exemption)
You do not hold or have not held a 482 or 457 visa with this employer

If you are already in Australia on a 482 visa, the TRT stream is usually a better fit.

Eligibility Summary

You qualify for the 186 Direct Entry stream if:

Your occupation is on the CSOL
You have a positive skills assessment (unless exempt)
You have at least 3 years relevant work experience (unless exempt)
You are under 45 (unless exempt)
You meet Competent English — IELTS 6.0 each component or equivalent
An approved Australian employer nominates you for a permanent full-time position

186 Direct Entry Eligibility — Full Checklist

You qualify if your occupation is on the CSOL, you have a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years relevant work experience, you are under 45, and an approved Australian employer is willing to nominate you for a permanent position.

Here is the full eligibility checklist:

Eligible occupation

Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Occupations on the CSOL are benchmarked to the 2022 version of ANZSCO.

Skills assessment

You must have a positive skills assessment before you lodge your application. It cannot be more than 3 years old at the time you apply. Skills assessments obtained for a subclass 485 visa are not accepted.

If your occupation classification has changed through ANZSCO updates, an assessment under the earlier classification will generally be accepted if: it is still valid, the assessing authority was specified for that occupation at the time, and the nominated occupation corresponds to the historical classification.

You are exempt from the skills assessment requirement if you:

Are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Level A–E) by an Australian university
Are nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical specialist by an Australian government scientific agency
Currently hold a subclass 444 or 461 visa and have worked for the nominating employer in the nominated position for at least 2 years in the last 3 years

Work experience

Unless exempt from the skills assessment requirement, you need at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your occupation. Applicants exempt from skills assessment are also exempt from this requirement.

Licensing

Registration or membership If your occupation requires a licence, registration, or professional membership in your state or territory, you must hold it.

Nominated by an approved employer

You must be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating. You must apply within 6 months of the nomination being approved.

If your nomination is withdrawn or the position is no longer available, DHA cannot grant your visa. A new nomination cannot be linked to your existing application — you would need to withdraw and reapply.

Age

You must be under 45 when you apply. You are exempt if:

Nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Level B–E) by an Australian university
Nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by a government science agency or Australian university
You currently hold a subclass 444 or 461 visa and have worked for the nominating employer in the nominated position for at least 2 years in the last 3 years (excluding unpaid leave)

English

At least Competent English is required. Home Affairs updated its approved English tests and score tables on 7 August 2025 — test results taken on or after that date must meet the following scores in each of the 4 test components:

IELTS (Academic or General Training): 6.0 listening, reading, writing, speaking
PTE Academic: 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking
TOEFL iBT: 16 listening, 16 reading, 19 writing, 19 speaking — you must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register, or the result is not valid for Australian visa purposes
OET: 290 listening, 310 reading, 290 writing, 330 speaking — OET moved from alphabetical grades (for example "B") to numerical scoring on 7 August 2025
Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, Michigan English Test (MET), and LANGUAGECERT Academic are also accepted, each with its own score table

Test results must not be more than 3 years old at the time you apply. Home Affairs does not accept fully online or remote-proctored tests for Australian visa purposes — this includes IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, OET@Home, CELPIP Online, LANGUAGECERT Academic Online, and MET Digital taken at home.

Health

You and any family members applying with you must meet health requirements. DHA will contact you if examinations are needed.

Character

You and family members aged 16 or over must meet character requirements. Police certificates required.

Australian values statement

If you are 18 or older, you must have read the Life in Australia booklet and sign an Australian Values Statement.

No outstanding debts to the Australian Government

Any debt must be paid or have a formal repayment arrangement in place.

No cancelled visas or refused applications

DHA will consider your immigration history. In some circumstances you may still apply — see Limitations on applications in Australia.

Step by Step 186 Direct Entry Application

The most common reasons for Direct Entry refusals are an invalid or expired skills assessment, insufficient work experience documentation, and missing the 6-month nomination window. Get these right before you lodge.

Step 1 — Before you apply

Get your skills assessment first — you must have a positive outcome before lodging. It cannot be more than 3 years old at the time you apply.
Organise English tests if needed. Results must not be more than 3 years old at lodgement.
Ask your employer to lodge a nomination. They will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) — you need this to apply. You do not need to wait for nomination approval before lodging.
Criminal and civil penalties apply to anyone who offers or receives a benefit in exchange for visa sponsorship.

Step 2 — Gather your documents

Main applicant:

Passport — photo page, personal details, issue and expiry dates. Include name change evidence if applicable.
Licence, registration or membership proof if mandatory for your occupation.
Skills and qualifications documents: positive skills assessment (if required), CV or resume, qualifications and employment references.
If exempt from skills assessment: proof of exemption — academic appointment letter, government agency nomination, or evidence of 2 years work for nominating employer as a 444/461 holder.
Age exemption documents if you are 45 or over.
English test results showing Competent English.
For doctors: AHPRA certificate showing unconditional/general medical registration or conditional specialist registration.
For barristers or solicitors: proof of admission to practise in the relevant state or territory.
Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure only — standard disclosure certificates and certificates issued by state or territory police are not accepted) if you spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16. Valid for 12 months from issue.
Overseas police certificate from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
Military service records or discharge papers if you served in any country's armed forces.

Partner:

Passport and character documents.
Current marriage certificate, or de facto relationship evidence of at least 12 months — joint bank statements, joint billing accounts, joint lease or mortgage, or proof of shared address.
If your partner is 18 or older with less than Functional English: second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

Dependants under 18:

Passport (children under 5 can be included without one).
Birth certificate or marriage certificate proving relationship to you.
Character documents if applicable.
If another person has legal rights over where the child lives and is not coming to Australia: Form 1229 or a statutory declaration with photo ID of the consenting person.

Dependants 18 or over:

Passport and character documents.
Form 47a (Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 or over).
Proof of relationship — birth certificate or adoption papers.
Proof of financial dependence for at least 12 months — evidence of living together, tax records, or proof of study.
If less than Functional English: second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

Translation and scan requirements:

All non-English documents must be translated into English — provide both original and translated versions.
Translators in Australia must be NAATI accredited. Overseas translators must include their full name, address, phone number, and language qualifications on each translation.
No document certification required.
Scan all documents in colour, clearly. Multi-page documents save as one file.

Step 3 — Lodge your application

Apply online via ImmiAccount. Attach all documents and pay the application fee. Note your TRN. DHA will not process your application until payment is received.

Step 4 — After you apply

DHA will confirm receipt.
You can be in or outside Australia when DHA decides.
If in Australia, you will likely receive a bridging visa if your current visa expires before a decision.
DHA may request additional documents or biometrics — respond via ImmiAccount as soon as possible.
Pay the second instalment for family members if invoiced.

Step 5 — Visa outcome

DHA will notify you in writing. If granted: visa grant number, start date, and conditions. Your visa is digitally linked to your passport — no label issued. If refused: DHA will tell you why and whether you have review rights.

Your obligations after grant

You and your family must obey all Australian laws.
DHA expects you to work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years.
Begin employment within 6 months of visa grant (if in Australia) or first entry (if offshore when granted).
Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant date. After that, you need a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Check your travel expiry via VEVO.
If your visa is refused, the visa application charge is not refunded.

186 Direct Entry Visa Cost

The 186 Direct Entry stream costs AUD 6,140 for the main applicant, current as at September 2026. This is the base visa application charge only — check the current figure on the Visa Pricing Estimator before you apply, since visa fees typically change each 1 July.

If you include family members in your application, you pay an additional charge for each one:

Family member aged 18 or over: AUD 3,070
Family member under 18: AUD 1,535

Second Instalment

You must also pay a second instalment of AUD 4,890 for any family member aged 18 or over who applies with you and has less than Functional English. DHA invoices this separately once you have met all other visa requirements.

Lower Visa Cost for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Citizens

From 1 July 2026, a lower visa application cost applies if the primary applicant holds a valid passport from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands. DHA applies this automatically in ImmiAccount based on the passport used in the application, and it extends to family members included on the same application.

Other Costs to Budget For

You may also need to pay for health examinations, police certificates, and biometrics collection. None of these are included in the visa application charge above.

186 Direct Entry Processing Time

Home Affairs takes 13 to 21 months to process most 186 Direct Entry stream applications, as at September 2026.

The full breakdown by percentage of applications processed:

25% of applications: 10 months
50% of applications: 13 months
75% of applications: 16 months
90% of applications: 21 months
Maximum: 695 days

Home Affairs has noted it is receiving a high volume of applications in this group, which has extended assessment timeframes. These figures change regularly — check the current numbers on the Global Visa Processing Times tool before you apply, or see our 186 visa processing time guide for a full breakdown by stream.

Your application can take longer if it is incomplete, missing documents, or needs further verification. Complete applications lodged with all supporting documents generally process faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 186 Direct Entry stream?

The 186 Direct Entry stream lets skilled workers apply directly for permanent residency through employer sponsorship. Unlike the TRT stream, it does not require you to have previously held a 482 or 457 visa with your employer. Most applicants need a skills assessment and at least 3 years of relevant work experience.

Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 Direct Entry stream?

Yes, for most applicants. You must have a positive skills assessment before you lodge your application, issued no more than 3 years before you apply. Home Affairs does not accept skills assessments obtained for a subclass 485 visa. Exemptions apply for academics, scientists, researchers, and holders of a subclass 444 or 461 visa who have worked in the nominated position for the nominating employer for at least 2 of the last 3 years.

Is there an age limit for the 186 Direct Entry stream?

Yes. You must be under 45 years old when you apply. Exemptions apply if you are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Level B–E) by an Australian university, a scientist or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by a government science agency or university, or a subclass 444 or 461 visa holder who has worked for the nominating employer for at least 2 of the last 3 years.

How much work experience do I need?

At least 3 years of relevant work experience in your occupation, unless you are exempt from the skills assessment requirement — in which case the work experience requirement also does not apply.

Can I apply from outside Australia?

Yes. You can be inside or outside Australia both when you apply and when Home Affairs decides your application. If you apply from inside Australia, you must hold a substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A, B or C.

How much does the 186 Direct Entry visa cost?

The visa costs AUD 6,140 for the main applicant, as at September 2026. You also pay an additional AUD 3,070 for each family member aged 18 or over, and AUD 1,535 for each family member under 18, included in the same application. A second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies for any family member 18 or over with less than Functional English. Visa fees typically change each 1 July, so confirm the current figure on the Visa Pricing Estimator before you apply.

How long does 186 Direct Entry processing take?

Home Affairs takes 13 to 21 months to process most 186 Direct Entry applications, as at September 2026. Broken down by percentage of applications processed: 25% in 10 months, 50% in 13 months, 75% in 16 months, and 90% in 21 months, with a maximum of 695 days. Home Affairs has flagged high application volumes as the reason for extended timeframes in this group. Check the current figures on the Global Visa Processing Times tool before you apply, or see our 186 visa processing time guide for a full breakdown.

What is the difference between Direct Entry and TRT stream?

The TRT stream is for workers already in Australia on a 482 or 457 visa who have worked for their sponsor for 2 years. The Direct Entry stream is for workers applying without a prior 482 or 457 visa relationship with the employer. Direct Entry requires a skills assessment and has an age limit of 45 — TRT generally does not require a skills assessment and has no age limit for most applicants.

Can I change employer after getting a 186 Direct Entry visa?

Yes. Once granted, the 186 visa provides permanent residency with no employment restrictions — you can work for any employer anywhere in Australia.

Is there a lower visa cost for Pacific Island or Timor-Leste citizens?

Yes. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa application cost applies if the primary applicant holds a valid passport from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste, or one of six other listed Pacific nations. Home Affairs applies the lower cost automatically in ImmiAccount based on the passport used in the application, and family members included in the same application also qualify.

Sources

This page draws on the following Department of Home Affairs sources: the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) Direct Entry stream page, the Global Visa Processing Times tool, the Visa Pricing Estimator, and the Competent English requirements page.

Why Choose RACC for Your 186 Visa

RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572961, 1172003) specialise in 186 permanent visa applications:

Assess which stream suits your circumstances
Verify occupation eligibility and caveats
Advise on skills assessment requirements
Guide employers through the nomination process
Prepare comprehensive visa applications
Handle complex cases — age exemptions, experience calculations
Monitor application progress and respond to department requests

20+ years experience · Melbourne-based · 4.8/5 customer satisfaction · English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa, Sinhalese, Malay, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi

Book a free 186 visa consultation, speak to a MARA-registered agent today.