Are requirements fixed for the 186 Labour Agreement stream?

No. Requirements depend on the labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government. Conditions such as age, English level, and salary may vary.

What happens if the employer withdraws the nomination?

If the employer withdraws the nomination or the position is no longer available, the visa application cannot be approved.

186 Direct Entry Stream 2026

Q: Can I apply for the 186 Labour Agreement stream from outside Australia?

Yes. You can apply from inside or outside Australia. If applying onshore, you usually need to hold a Subclass 457 or 482 visa under a labour agreement.

Last updated: 1 May 2026 · RACC Migration & Education Services

The Subclass 186 Labour Agreement stream is a permanent employer sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

This stream is part of the Subclass 186 visa, which is one of the main pathways under Australia’s employer-sponsored migration system.

It is specifically designed for applicants who are nominated by an employer that has a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government. Unlike other 186 streams, eligibility requirements are not standardised and depend on the individual labour agreement.

What You Can Do With This Visa

Live in Australia permanently

Work and study in Australia

Enrol in Medicare

Sponsor eligible relatives

Travel freely for 5 years

Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)

Visa Overview

Visa Type: Permanent Residency
Stay: Indefinite
Cost: From AUD 4,910
Apply From: Onshore or Offshore
Processing Time: Varies (use official tools)

Who This Visa Is For

This visa is for you if:

You are working, or about to work, for an employer under a labour agreement
Your employer is offering you a permanent role through that agreement
You are on (or were on) a 457 or 482 visa linked to a labour agreement
Your occupation may not be available in standard skilled visa lists

If your employer mentioned “labour agreement” → this is likely your PR pathway.

Basic Requirements (Quick Check)

You may be eligible if you:

Are nominated by an employer under a labour agreement
Meet the conditions written in that agreement
Are usually under 45 years old (unless exempted)
Hold a 457 or 482 visa under a labour agreement (if applying in Australia)
Meet health and character requirements

Final eligibility always depends on your specific labour agreement.

This stream is not based on fixed criteria — everything depends on the labour agreement.

Core Requirement

You must:

Work (or intend to work) for an employer under a labour agreement
Be nominated for a role listed in that agreement
Meet the conditions written in that agreement

What Your Agreement May Require

Depending on the agreement:

English language level
Work experience
Qualifications
Salary level
Work location (e.g. regional)

These are customised — not universal.

Skills Assessment

Not automatically required
The Department may request one
Do not obtain one unless asked

Age Requirement

Usually under 45
May be exempt under the agreement

Visa Requirement (If Applying in Australia)

You must hold:

Subclass 457 or 482 visa under a labour agreement

Licensing or Registration

Required if your occupation needs it
Based on state or territory rules

Health & Character

You must:

Pass health checks
Provide police certificates if requested

Other Conditions

Sign Australian Values Statement
No outstanding government debt
Acceptable visa history

This visa depends heavily on your employer.

Labour Agreement Requirement

The employer must:

Have a valid labour agreement with the government
Have included a PR pathway in that agreement

Not all agreements include permanent residency.

Nomination Process

The employer must:

Nominate you for a role listed in the agreement
Get nomination approved
Keep the position available

Business Requirements

The employer must:

Be actively operating in Australia
Have no serious compliance issues
Follow workplace and immigration laws

Employment Conditions

The employer must:

Pay market salary rate
Provide equal working conditions to Australians

When Things Can Go Wrong

Your visa cannot be granted if:

The nomination is withdrawn
The role is no longer available
There is adverse information about the employer

Visa Costs

Main applicant: AUD 4,910
Additional applicants: extra fees apply

Second Instalment

Applies if a family member:

Is 18+
Does not have functional English

AUD 4,890 per person

Other Costs

Health checks
Police certificates
Biometrics

Application Process (Clear Flow)

Employer submits nomination
You gather documents
Apply via ImmiAccount
Department assesses application
Decision is issued

Processing Time (Important Context)

There is no fixed processing time.

It depends on:

Completeness of application
Document verification
Whether additional information is required

Use official tools:

Visa Processing Time Guide
Visa Pricing Estimator

Including Family Members

You can include:

Partner
Dependent children
Stepchildren

You can add them:

When applying, or
Before a decision is made

Health Requirements (Important)

Family members must:

Complete health examinations if requested
Meet Australia’s health standards

This may apply even if they are not migrating.

Character Requirements

Family members aged 16+ must:

Provide police certificates if requested
Meet character requirements

Cost Impact

Each family member increases total cost
Second instalment may apply

After Visa Grant (Obligations)

You are expected to:

Work for your employer for at least 2 years
Start employment within 6 months

Travel Conditions

Free travel for 5 years
After that → Resident Return Visa required

Citizenship Pathway

You may apply for citizenship if eligible
PR start date depends on where you are when granted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 186 Labour Agreement stream permanent?

Yes. The 186 Labour Agreement stream is a permanent residency visa, which means you can live and work in Australia indefinitely. It also provides a pathway to Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Are requirements fixed for this visa?

No. Unlike other visa streams, requirements under the 186 Labour Agreement stream are defined by the labour agreement between your employer and the Australian Government. This means criteria such as age, English, and salary may vary.

Can I apply for the 186 Labour Agreement stream from outside Australia?

Yes. You can apply from either inside or outside Australia. If you apply onshore, you must usually hold a Subclass 457 or 482 visa granted under a labour agreement.

Do I need a skills assessment?

Not always. A skills assessment is only required if requested by the Department. You should not obtain one unless specifically instructed during the application process.

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes. You can include eligible family members such as your partner and dependent children. All included applicants must meet health and character requirements, and additional visa charges will apply.

What happens if my employer withdraws the nomination?

If your employer withdraws the nomination, your visa application cannot be approved. The nomination must remain valid and the position must still be available at the time of decision.

Why Choose RACC for Your 186 Visa

RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572962, 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.

Book 186 Visa Consultation

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