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Subclass 186

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS)

The 186 visa, formally known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, is a permanent residency visa in Australia for skilled workers who have been nominated by a sponsoring employer. This visa allows eligible foreign workers to live and work permanently in Australia. The ENS visa has three streams, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), the Direct Entry (DE) and the Labour Agreement stream (LA)

Key Facts

General Info

Fees $6,140
Location Onshore / Offshore
Age Requirement Under 45

Visa Status

Visa Type Permanent Visa
Direct Entry Stream

Further Requirements

✓ Professional Standing: Must hold required licenses, registrations, or be a member of the relevant professional body.
✓ Skill Assessment: YES — Must be obtained within the last 3 years.
✓ Work Experience: Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience.

Overview of the 186 ENS Visa

The 186 visa, officially the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer. It allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely, with pathways to citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Migration Program Update: As of December 2025, the Australian government allocated 44,000 places for ENS visas (including primary and secondary applicants) in the 2025-26 Migration Program. This employer-sponsored route remains highly popular for professionals seeking stability without points-tested pathways.

The 186 visa has three main streams:

  • Direct Entry — For skilled workers applying without prior Australian work experience on a temporary visa.
  • Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) — For holders of 482 or legacy 457 visas transitioning to PR.
  • Labour Agreement — For unique employer arrangements.

Key 186 Visa Requirements

All applicants must meet health, character, and debts-to-government requirements. The nominating employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or have a labour agreement.

Stream Age Limit Work Experience English Level Occupation List Required?
Direct Entry Under 45 (exemptions apply) At least 3 years relevant Competent Yes (CSOL)
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) No limit 2 years with nominating employer Competent No
Labour Agreement Varies As per agreement Competent No
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What Is the Subclass 186 ENS Visa?

The Subclass 186 is a permanent visa allowing Australian employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers for permanent residence to fill genuine positions. It allows the holder to travel to and enter Australia for 5 years from the date of grant.

It sits within the broader Permanent Employer Sponsored Entry (PESE) program, which also includes the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

The Three ENS Visa Streams

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)

For Subclass 457 or 482 visa holders who have worked in their employer's nominated position for at least 2 years out of the 3 years before the nomination application, and whose employer wants to offer them a permanent role.

Direct Entry (DE)

For overseas workers new to the Australian labour market, or workers in Australia who are ineligible for the TRT stream. The occupation must be on the relevant occupation list at the time of nomination.

Labour Agreement (LA)

For workers sponsored by an employer who holds an approved labour agreement, who are ineligible for the TRT or DE streams.

Making a Valid Application — Schedule 1 Requirements

A valid application must comply with Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994, specifically Item 1114B, which covers the method of application, the required form, location, the VAC, and other visa-specific matters.

Application Form

Almost all applicants must use online Form 1408 via ImmiAccount. An alternative channel exists only in limited circumstances — such as a systems outage or if the applicant is about to turn 45 — and must be specifically authorised by the Department.

Visa Application Charge (VAC)

Paid in instalments. The second instalment is waived for applicants who qualify under the family violence provisions.

Location at Time of Application

Applicants may be inside or outside Australia but must not be in immigration clearance. If in Australia, they must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. If holding only a bridging visa, officers must also confirm there is no Section 48 or other bar on applying.

Declaration About the Nomination

The primary applicant must explicitly declare that the position relates to a nomination made under regulation 5.19.

Declaration: Payment for Visa Sponsorship

All primary applicants must declare whether they or any family member have engaged in conduct that contravenes section 245AS(1) of the Act — that is, offering or providing a benefit in return for a sponsorship event such as an ENS nomination. If such conduct is declared or suspected, the matter must be referred to a manager immediately.

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Combined and Separate Applications

Combined Applications

Family members can apply together by claiming to be a member of the family unit (MOFU). Actual MOFU eligibility is assessed under Schedule 2. Family unit members must have made a combined application with the primary applicant to be granted the visa.

Separate Applications

Family members cannot apply separately as they cannot satisfy the Schedule 2 grant criteria on their own.

Adding a Partner or Dependent Child

A spouse, de facto partner or dependent child can be added under regulation 2.08A before a decision is made. When added this way, the form and qualifying visa requirements do not apply to them, but any applicable bars under the Act still do.

Newborn Children

A child born after the application is lodged but before a decision is made is automatically treated as having made a combined application at the time of birth.

A child born in Australia to an ENS visa holder becomes an Australian citizen under section 12 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. A non-citizen child born in Australia to an ENS visa holder is taken under section 78 of the Migration Act to have been granted a visa of the same kind and conditions as their parent's visa at the time of birth.

Visa Grant — Where Applicants Must Be

All applicants — primary and secondary — may be inside or outside Australia at the time of grant, but must not be in immigration clearance.

The second instalment of the VAC (if applicable) must be paid before the visa is granted.

Visa Conditions

Condition 8504 — First Entry Date

If outside Australia at the time of grant, the applicant must make their first entry before the date specified by the Minister.

Condition 8515 — Secondary Applicants

May be imposed on secondary applicants at the officer's discretion. This means the secondary applicant must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before their first entry into Australia on this visa.

ANZSCO Correlation — Occupation Matching

The nominated occupation is determined by the nomination application, not the visa application form.

Direct Entry (DE) Stream

DE stream applicants who selected the wrong occupation and obtained a skills assessment in the wrong occupation cannot have their application approved.

Where the skills assessment was in the correct occupation but the wrong occupation was selected on the visa form in error, officers should check the nomination — if the skills assessment matches the correctly nominated occupation, no formal correction notice is needed.

TRT Stream

TRT stream applicants with a similar discrepancy should be given the same leniency.

Officers will verify the actual occupation worked in through supporting documents such as employment contracts or payslips to ensure it aligns with the correctly nominated occupation.

Accountability and Responsibility

Role Responsibility
Director, Employer Sponsored Program Management Section Monitoring, reviewing and updating this instruction in line with legislative and regulatory changes.
Director, Employer Sponsored Policy Section Reviewing the instruction where policy changes are involved.
Director, Employer Sponsored Program Delivery Reviewing the instruction where processing changes are involved.

186 Visa Occupation List: CSOL

For the 186 visa direct entry stream, your nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This list targets in-demand roles across sectors like healthcare, engineering, IT, and trades.

The current CSOL (updated 2025) includes hundreds of occupations, from Chief Executives (ANZSCO 111111) to specialised roles in construction and education. Download the full list from the Department of Home Affairs website: Core Skills Occupation List PDF.

Flexibility for Existing Workers: TRT and Labour Agreement streams have no occupation list requirement, making them more flexible for existing Australian workers.

Australia 186 Visa Direct Entry Requirements

The 186 direct entry visa suits applicants overseas or with limited Australian experience. Key requirements include:

  • Positive skills assessment (unless exempt)
  • At least 3 years full-time relevant work experience
  • Age under 45 at lodgement (exemptions for high-income earners or researchers)
  • Competent English
  • Employer nomination with genuine position and market salary rate

Note: This stream prioritises regional, healthcare, teaching, or accredited sponsor nominations under Ministerial Direction No. 105.

PTE Requirement for 186 Visa

Most 186 visa applicants need Competent English. PTE Academic is widely accepted and popular for its fast results.

Test Component Minimum PTE Score
Listening 47
Reading 48
Writing 51
Speaking 54

Other accepted tests include IELTS (6.0 each band), TOEFL iBT, OET, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Passport holders from UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland are exempt.

Family members over 18 may need Functional or Vocational English unless exempt.

Processing Times & Key 2025 Changes

186 Visa Processing Time in 2025

186 visa processing time varies by stream, priority, and workload. Use the official Visa Processing Time Guide Tool for estimates. Recent data (as of late 2025):

Stream 50% Processed In 90% Processed In
Direct Entry 8–12 months 18–19 months
Temporary Residence Transition 6–10 months 12–15 months
Labour Agreement 4–8 months 10–12 months

Direct Entry times improved recently, with 50% of applications processed in 8 months. Regional, healthcare, or accredited sponsor cases receive priority.

Key 2025 Changes for the 186 Visa

TRT Work Experience Rule (from 29 November 2025)

Only time worked for the nominating sponsor on a 482/457 visa counts toward the 2-year requirement. Unsponsored periods no longer qualify.

Income Thresholds

Skilled visa salary thresholds increased by 4.6% from 1 July 2025.

Prioritisation

Faster processing implemented for regional and critical sectors.

Costs and Application Process

Visa application charge starts at AUD 4,910 for the main applicant. Employer nomination is a separate cost.

Application Steps:

  1. Employer approval: Employer becomes an approved sponsor (if needed).
  2. Nomination: Employer lodges the official nomination.
  3. Visa Lodgement: Applicant lodges the visa application within 6 months.
  4. Provide Documents: Provide biometrics, health checks, and police clearances.

Professional advice from a registered migration agent is recommended for complex cases.

The Subclass 186 ENS visa remains a reliable PR pathway for skilled professionals with employer support. With 44,000 places allocated for 2025-26 and ongoing demand for core skills, it's an excellent option for long-term settlement in Australia.

Further Reading & Related Resources

Explore these detailed guides to dive deeper into specific streams, critical exemptions, and essential rules for your Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa journey.

Primary Criteria & PIC Rules Explained

Understand the core public interest criteria, health and character checks, and primary application rules for the 186 visa.

Read Full Guide →

TRT Stream Criteria Explained

A comprehensive guide to successfully transitioning from your 482 or 457 visa to permanent residency via the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Read Full Guide →

Direct Entry Stream Eligibility & Rules

Learn about the specific work experience requirements, mandatory skills assessments, and eligibility rules for the 186 Direct Entry stream.

Read Full Guide →

Labour Agreement Stream Guide

Navigate the unique requirements, language concessions, and processes for applying through an employer's approved labour agreement.

Read Full Guide →

Family Violence Rules & Visa Rights

Important information regarding your visa rights, legal protections, and critical waivers available under the family violence provisions.

Read Full Guide →

Special Exemptions for Skilled Workers

Discover the specific age, English, and skill exemptions that might apply to your occupation or high-income salary bracket.

Read Full Guide →

FAQs

Q: What are the main 186 visa requirements?

Nomination by an approved Australian employer, relevant skills/experience, Competent English, and health/character checks. Direct Entry requires CSOL occupation and skills assessment.

Q: How long is the 186 visa processing time in 2025?

Direct Entry: 8-19 months; TRT: 6-15 months. Check the official tool for latest estimates.

Q: Is there an age limit for the 186 visa?

Direct Entry: Under 45 (exemptions apply). No age limit for TRT stream.

Q: What is the PTE requirement for 186 visa?

Competent level: Minimum 47 Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing, 54 Speaking.

Q: What occupations qualify for the 186 direct entry visa?

Those on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Check the latest PDF on the Home Affairs website.

Q: Can I apply for the 186 visa from inside Australia?

Yes, all streams allow onshore applications if eligible.

Q: What changed for the 186 TRT stream in 2025?

From 29 November 2025, only sponsored work with the nominating employer counts toward the 2-year requirement.

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