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Subclass 186

186 Visa

The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa enables Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for Permanent Residence when suitably skilled candidates are unavailable locally. 

Employer Nomination Scheme: Three distinct streams

Supporting Permanent Residence (PR) is an effective way for employers to attract and retain skilled talent while strengthening workforce stability.

The Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement streams of the 186 Visa provide flexibility for long-term labour needs to help businesses secure critical skills and maintain operational continuity.

Interstaff’s comparative analysis highlights key differences between each 186 Visa Stream.

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ENS 186 Visa: Temporary Residence Transition Stream

For Transitioning Current Employees

A PR pathway for employees on a 482 Visa.

Eligibility
  • Two Years of Sponsored Work in Australia on a 482 Visa. 
  • Employer Nomination for permanent position (same occupation as 482 Visa).
  • Qualifications and Work Experience: Relevant to the occupation. Must hold required licensing.
  • Age Limit: 45 years—some exemptions.
  • English Proficiency: Competent English is required via testing unless exempt.
  • Health and Character Tests Apply
Labour Market Testing
  • Not required
  • Streamlined process due to previous 482 visa sponsorship.
Stream Benefits
  • PR certainty for existing sponsored workers, allowing businesses to attract and retain global talent.
Learn more

ENS 186 Visa:
Direct Entry Stream

For Direct Permanent Residence

Suits skilled overseas talent who may not have previously worked in Australia.

Eligibility
  • Positive Skills Assessment to verify qualifications and experience.
  • Employer Nomination for a position on the relevant skills occupation list. 
  • Qualifications and Work Experience: At least three years relevant to occupation.
  • Age Limit: 45 years (limited exemptions).
  • English Proficiency: Competent English required via testing unless exempt.
  • Health and Character Tests Apply
Labour Market Testing

Generally required to prove no suitable Australian workers.

Stream Benefits
  • Workers engaged for PR directly without sponsorship or transition period. 
  • Suits businesses with skill shortages or operating in niche industries.
Learn more

ENS 186 Visa:
Labour Agreement Stream

For Skill Shortages Requiring Flexibility

A PR pathway that provides concessions to the standard eligibility criteria.

Eligibility
  • Labour Agreement: Employer must have or establish a Labour Agreement.
  • Employer Nomination for a position as per the Labour Agreement.
  • Qualifications and Work Experience: As per the Labour Agreement.
  • Age Limit: 45 years, unless Labour Agreement exemptions apply.
  • English Language Proficiency: As per the Labour Agreement.
  • Health and Character Tests Apply
Labour Market Testing
  • May be required
  • To prove no Australian workers.
Stream Benefits
  • Flexible and responsive PR pathway via customised visa requirements. 
  • Several types of Labour Agreement available for roles not on standard occupation lists.
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The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Process

Under both the 186 TRT – Temporary Residence Transition and 186 DE – Direct Entry Streams, sponsoring a worker involves two separate applications: the Nomination and Visa applications.

Talk to our Registered Migration Agents for guidance on sponsored work PR pathways under the Employer Nomination Scheme.

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1. Nomination

Allows Home Affairs to evaluate the genuineness, relevance, and terms of the role.

The financial and operational capacity of the business to nominate the position is also assessed.


2. Visa

Home Affairs assesses your worker’s qualifications, experience and eligibility to perform the nominated role and meet the visa requirements.




Permanent Residence Planning

Offering employees a clear pathway to PR helps businesses attract and retain skilled talent for hard-to-fill roles where local candidates are scarce or specialised expertise is required.

Interstaff assist businesses with Permanent Residence Planning as a strategic approach to building a stable and committed workforce. 

STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

STEP 1

Assess and Strategise:
Permanent Residence Eligibility

Interstaff helps businesses and employees understand suitable PR pathways and plan accordingly. 

We support you by: 

  • Discussing your ongoing and future workforce needs
  • Assessing eligibility and costs for PR pathways for existing or new employees
  • Advising a migration strategy including sponsorship compliance advice to ensure ongoing PR eligibility for the candidate – for example, maintaining role consistency and ensuring salary levels meet regulatory thresholds

Talk to us to explore a migration strategy and discuss 186 Visa requirements.

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What 186 Visa Applicants Should Know

If an employer is wishing to sponsor you for a 186 Visa, it is essential to understand your eligibility. Interstaff provide eligibility assessments to both individuals and employers. 

We also advise on migration pathways after Permanent Residence is established, such as Australian citizenship.

Contact us for an Eligibility Assessment

Experience and Insights

Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visa

Explore more about how we work, our industry experience and insights.

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Permanent Residence Planning

Permanent Residence Planning helps employers retain skilled talent by aligning visa pathways with long-term workforce strategies and employee settlement goals.
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Permanent Residence Planning
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Industries

Migration requirements differ by industry — from occupation eligibility and salary thresholds to labour agreements and compliance considerations. Our industry-specific expertise helps employers understand suitable visa pathways for their needs.
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Industries

186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa FAQs

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No – many businesses support transitions to Permanent Residence for a 186 Visa on a case-by-case basis. The business must have a genuine ongoing need for the position. The benefit of making Permanent Residence policies available to employees is that it ensures the possibilities are clear and upfront.