Why Apply for Employer Nomination Schema (Subclass 186) Visa?

• Provides Australian Permanent Residency (PR)
• Live and work in Australia permanently
• Include spouse and dependent children
• Travel in and out of Australia freely
• Access Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare)
• Work for an Australian employer on a long-term basis
• Strong pathway to settle permanently in Australia
• Enjoy a high standard of living and stable career growth

* Want to work in Australia? Contact Y-Axis for expert guidance

What is Employer Nomination Scheme?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa designed for skilled professionals who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. This visa allows skilled professionals and their eligible family members to live, work, and settle in Australia permanently.

Both onshore and offshore applicants can apply for this visa. To be eligible, an Australian employer must nominate a skilled worker for a full-time, permanent position in an occupation listed on Australia’s skilled occupation list or under a labor agreement. The employer must also prove that the role is genuine and required for their business operations.

The Subclass 186 visa is commonly chosen by professionals who are already working in Australia on temporary work visas such as Subclass 482, as well as by overseas professionals with strong skills and relevant work experience. This visa provides a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency without a points test.

Once granted, Subclass 186 visa holders can work for their sponsoring employer without time limits and are not restricted by visa expiry dates. They can also access key benefits available to permanent residents, including Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system), education opportunities for dependents, and the ability to sponsor eligible relatives in the future. After meeting residency requirements, visa holders may also become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

*Looking to settle in Australia permanently? Y-Axis can guide you through the entire Subclass 186 process.

Subclass 186 Visa Streams

The Subclass 186 visa has three different streams, designed for different applicants.

Direct Entry Stream

This stream is suitable for skilled workers applying directly for PR from outside Australia or from within Australia.

• Requires a positive skills assessment
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience
• Occupation must be on the skilled occupation list
• Employer must nominate the applicant

Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is for applicants whose employer has a labor agreement with the Australian Government.

• Used when standard visa programs are not suitable
• Designed to fill specific labour shortages
• Eligibility criteria are based on the labour agreement

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

This stream is for applicants who are already working in Australia on a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa.

• Must have worked with the same employer for the required period
• No skills assessment required in most cases
• Common pathway from temporary work visa to PR

Benefits of Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

• Permanent residency from day one
• No points test required
• Work without visa time limits
• Bring eligible family members
• Access Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare)
• Sponsor eligible relatives in the future
• Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency rules

Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 186

You can apply for the Subclass 186 visa if you meet the following conditions:

• Nominated by an approved Australian employer
• Occupation listed on the skilled occupation list or labour agreement
• Meet skills assessment requirements (if applicable)
• Generally under 45 years of age
• Meet English language requirements
• Meet health and character requirements

Documents Required for Subclass 186 Visa Australia

• Valid passport
• Employer nomination approval
• Employment contract
• Skills assessment (if required)
• English language test results
• Educational qualification certificates
• Work experience reference letters
• Resume / CV
• Health examination reports
• Police clearance certificates
• Relationship documents for dependents
• Business documents from sponsoring employer

*Looking for jobs in Australia? Y-Axis is here to guide you at every step.

Steps to Apply for Subclass 186 Visa

Step 1: Your Australian employer must first submit a nomination to the Department of Home Affairs, confirming that they are offering you a genuine full-time position.

Step 2: You need to confirm which Subclass 186 stream you qualify for Direct Entry, Labour Agreement, or Temporary Residence Transition, based on your work history and visa status.

Step 3: Collect all necessary documents, including your passport, work experience letters, qualifications, English test results, and employer-related documents.

Step 4: Once the nomination is approved or submitted, you can apply for the Subclass 186 visa online through the official immigration portal.

Step 5: You will be asked to undergo medical examinations and submit police clearance certificates to meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Step 6: The immigration department will review your application. Processing time may vary depending on the visa stream and completeness of documents.

Step 7: After your visa is approved, you can live and work in Australia permanently and enjoy the benefits of permanent residency.

Subclass 186 Processing Time

The processing time for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa can vary based on several factors. These include the visa stream chosen, the completeness and accuracy of the application, the time taken to submit health and character documents, and the workload of the Department of Home Affairs at the time of application.

Applications with complete documentation and correct information are usually processed faster. Delays may occur if additional information is requested or if the employer nomination requires further assessment. Each stream under the Subclass 186 visa has a different average processing timeline which are given below:

Subclass 186 Visa Cost

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa application fee must be paid at the time of submitting the visa application. The cost is the same for all three streams, Direct Entry, Labor Agreement, and Temporary Residence Transition.

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused or withdrawn. Additional charges apply for dependent family members included in the application, such as your spouse or children.

Other costs may apply, such as medical examinations, English tests, police clearance certificates, and skills assessment fees. These charges are paid separately and are not included in the visa application fee.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis is one of the world’s leading immigration consultancies with extensive expertise in Australia employer-sponsored visas. Our end-to-end services ensure a smooth and compliant application process.

Our Subclass 186 services include:

• Free eligibility assessment using the Australia Immigration Points Calculator
• Expert coaching support for PTE and IELTS exams
• Detailed profile evaluation and eligibility review
• Guidance on employer sponsorship and nomination process
• Complete document checklist support and document verification
• End-to-end assistance with Subclass 482 visa application filing
• Support with professional registration requirements
• Regular status updates and follow-ups with immigration authorities
• Preparation support for visa interviews