Last updated: 11 April 2026 · RACC Migration & Education Services

​

The 186 visa lets skilled workers live and work in Australia permanently through employer sponsorship. Unlike temporary work visas, the 186 visa grants permanent residency from the date it is approved, no further visa required.​

​

Quick Summary of 186 Visa

• Grants permanent residency immediately from date of approval

• Three streams:

  • TRT (from 482/457)

  • Direct Entry (from overseas)

  • Labour Agreement

• Minimum salary: AUD 76,515 (July 2025–June 2026), expected AUD 79,499 from July 2026

• No age limit for TRT stream. Direct Entry requires under 45 (exemptions apply)

• No labour market testing required

• Visa fee: AUD 4,910 main applicant

• No SAF levy, applies to temporary visas only

​

What Is the 186 Visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is Australia's primary employer-sponsored permanent residency visa. It is designed for skilled overseas workers who have a genuine job offer from an approved Australian business.

​

The 186 visa is part of Australia's employer sponsored visa system, if you are new to employer sponsorship, see our Employer Sponsored Visas guide first.

​

With the 186 visa, you can:

• Live and work anywhere in Australia permanently

• Include eligible family members in your application

• Enrol in Medicare

• Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant

• Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements

​

No visa renewal required, permanent residency starts from grant date.

​

186 Visa Streams

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

The TRT stream is for skilled workers who already hold a 482 visa or 457 visa and have worked full-time for at least 2 years with their sponsoring employer in Australia. It is the most common pathway to permanent residency for employer-sponsored workers already in the country.

​

Key requirements:

• Hold a subclass 482, 457, or eligible bridging visa

• Worked full-time for at least 2 years with your sponsoring employer

• No age limit

• English: at least Competent English

If you are on a 482 and planning your next steps, see our detailed guide to the TRT stream.

​

Direct Entry Stream

The Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers applying directly for permanent residency without first holding a temporary work visa. Most applicants need a skills assessment, at least 3 years work experience, and must be under 45.

​

Key requirements:

• Occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

• At least 3 years relevant work experience (exemptions apply)

• Positive skills assessment (exemptions apply)

• Under 45 years old (exemptions apply)

• English: at least Competent English

​

If you are applying from overseas or outside the 482 pathway, see our Direct Entry stream guide.

​

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream is for workers employed under a specific agreement between an employer and the Australian Government. Age, skills and English requirements vary by agreement. Learn more about 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Labour Agreement Stream Visa

​

186 Visa Requirements

To qualify for a 186 visa, you need an approved Australian employer to nominate you for a full-time position in an eligible occupation. Your salary must meet the minimum threshold and the Australian market rate.

​

Sponsorship: your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor.

Nomination: your employer nominates you for a genuine full-time permanent position.

Occupation: must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for Direct Entry and TRT streams.​

Salary: minimum AUD 76,515 per year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, in line with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). Must also meet the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). Expected to rise to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026, subject to DHA confirmation.​

English: at least Competent English:

• IELTS: 6.0 in each component

• PTE Academic: 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking

• TOEFL iBT and OET also accepted

Health and character: health examinations and police certificates required.​

No labour market testing required.

​​​

How to Apply for a 186 Visa

Applying for a 186 visa involves two linked applications: the employer nomination and your visa application. In most cases, these are lodged together.

​

Step 1: Employer Nomination

Your employer must lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs.

They must:

• Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or eligible business)

• Nominate you for a genuine full-time permanent position

• Offer a salary that meets:

  • Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), and

  • Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

• Ensure the position aligns with an eligible occupation

​

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

You must prepare documents based on your stream:

TRT stream:

• Evidence of 2 years full-time work with your sponsor

• Visa history (482 or 457)

• English test (if required)

​

Direct Entry stream:

• Positive skills assessment (if required)

• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience

• English test results

​

All applicants:

• Passport and identity documents

• Employment references

• Health examinations

• Police clearance certificates

​

Step 3: Lodge the Visa Application

You apply online through your ImmiAccount.

You can:

• Lodge at the same time as the nomination, or

• Lodge after the nomination is submitted

​

Step 4: Wait for Processing

During processing, the Department may request:

• Additional documents

• Clarification on employment history

• Updated health or character checks

​

Processing time depends on your stream, occupation, and application completeness.

​

Eligible Occupations for 186 Visa

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) covers 456 occupations eligible for 186 Direct Entry and TRT streams across key industries:

• Healthcare — doctors, nurses, allied health

• IT and technology — developers, analysts, cybersecurity

• Engineering — civil, mechanical, electrical

• Trades — electricians, plumbers, carpenters

• Business and finance — accountants, managers

• Education — teachers, university lecturers

• Sciences and research

​

Some occupations have specific caveats — conditions on business size, work setting, or role type that must be met before your employer lodges a nomination. Always verify your occupation's caveats before applying.

​

482 to 186, PR Pathway

The fastest route to permanent residency for skilled workers already in Australia is through the 482 visa. Work full-time for 2 years with your sponsoring employer, and you can apply for the 186 TRT stream with no age limit.

• Years 1–2: Work on a 482 visa

• Year 2+: Apply for 186 TRT after 2 years full-time work with your sponsor

• Result: Permanent residency, no age limit via TRT stream

​

Key advantages: no age limit via TRT, same occupation as 482, established employment history in Australia, and your employer already knows you.

​

For a full breakdown of the permanent residency pathway from a 482 visa, see our 482 to 186 PR pathway guide.​​

​

186 Visa Processing Time

Processing times vary by stream and individual circumstances. As a guide, Employer Nomination Scheme nominations currently being processed were lodged:

• Regional area, healthcare or teaching occupations: May 2025

• Accredited sponsor nominations: May 2025

• All other applications: June 2024

​

Factors that affect your processing time: application completeness, skills assessment complexity, occupation priority, health and character checks, and Department workload.

​

Check the latest figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. For a deeper breakdown, see our 186 visa processing time guide.

​

186 Visa Cost

Main applicant: AUD 4,910

Additional costs:

• Skills assessment: AUD 500–1,500

• English test: AUD 300–400

• Health examinations: AUD 300–500 per person

• Police certificates: varies by country

​

No Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, this applies to temporary visas only.

​

Your Rights on the 186 Visa

Once granted, the 186 visa gives you:

✓ Live permanently in Australia

✓ Work for any employer anywhere in Australia

✓ Study without restrictions

✓ Enrol in Medicare

✓ Access social security benefits (after applicable waiting period)

✓ Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency

✓ Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years

✓ Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting requirements

​​

Benefits of the 186 Visa (Employer & Applicant)

For the Applicant

The 186 visa provides immediate permanent residency, which comes with long-term stability.

​

Key benefits:

• Permanent residency from grant

• Work for any employer (no sponsorship restriction after grant)

• Access to Medicare

• Include eligible family members

• Travel freely for 5 years

• Pathway to Australian citizenship

​

For TRT applicants, one major advantage is:

• No age limit, making it one of the most accessible PR pathways

​

For the Employer

The 186 visa allows businesses to retain skilled workers permanently, reducing turnover and sponsorship burden.

​

Key benefits:

• Secure long-term employees already trained in the role

• No need to renew temporary visas (like 482)

• No Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

• Stronger workforce stability

• Reduced future visa costs and administration

​

For employers, it is often a natural progression after the 482 visa.

​

Common Reasons for 186 Visa Refusal

Most 186 visa refusals are caused by issues with the employer nomination, eligibility requirements, or inconsistent supporting documents.

• Position not genuine — the role cannot be clearly justified by the business or does not reflect a real ongoing need

• Salary below requirement — does not meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) or Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

• Occupation mismatch — job duties do not align with the nominated occupation under ANZSCO

• Insufficient work experience (Direct Entry) — less than 3 years or not closely related to the occupation

• Invalid or missing skills assessment — required assessment not provided, expired, or incorrect occupation selected

• TRT requirements not met — applicant has not completed 2 years full-time work with the sponsoring employer

• Health or character issues — does not meet standard health or police clearance requirements

• Incomplete or inconsistent application — missing documents or conflicting information across forms and evidence

​

Quick Note

Most refusals are avoidable with a well-prepared nomination and consistent documentation across both the employer and visa application.

​

Frequently Asked Questions of 186 Visa

Does the 186 visa grant permanent residency immediately?

Yes. The 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) grants permanent residency from the date it is approved. You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia, or on the day you first enter Australia if you were offshore when it was granted.

​

Is there an age limit for the 186 visa?

The Direct Entry stream requires applicants to be under 45 years old, with exemptions for academics, scientists, researchers, and certain NZ visa holders. The TRT stream has no age limit.

​

What is the minimum salary for the 186 visa?

The minimum salary is AUD 76,515 per year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, in line with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). You must also meet the Annual Market Salary Rate for your occupation and location. The threshold is expected to rise to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026, subject to DHA confirmation.

​

Does the 186 visa require labour market testing?

No. The 186 visa does not require labour market testing for any of its three streams — Direct Entry, TRT, or Labour Agreement. This is one key difference from the 482 Skills in Demand visa.

​

How long does 186 visa processing take?

Processing times depend on your stream, occupation, and application completeness. As a current guide, most general applications are drawn from nominations lodged around June 2024. Check the latest figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.

​

Can I change employer after getting a 186 visa?

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

​

Can I go from a 407 training visa to a 186 visa?

Yes — via the 407 → 482 → 186 pathway. Complete training on the 407, transition to a 482 work visa, then apply for 186 TRT after 2 years full-time work with your sponsoring employer.

​

​