- Visas
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS)
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
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SUBCLASS 186 VISA
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS)
Secure permanent residency in Australia through direct employer sponsorship. We manage the entire Subclass 186 visa process for both sponsoring businesses and skilled professionals—handling nomination compliance, market salary audits, Skills Assessments, and formal Department lodgement.
96%
Agency Approval Rate
3 Streams
Direct Entry, TRT & Agreement
6–11 Mo.
Typical Processing Time
PR
Permanent Residency Visa
CORE CRITERIA
186 Visa Eligibility Requirements
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is an employer-sponsored permanent residency visa. To qualify, both the Australian employer and the skilled employee must satisfy strict legislative criteria.
Genuine Employer Sponsorship
You must be nominated by an actively operating Australian business for a genuine, full-time position available for at least two years.
Eligible Occupation & Skills
Your occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or be eligible under your specific stream.
Work Experience Requirements
You must have at least three years of relevant skilled work experience (Direct Entry) or hold an eligible TSS 482 visa with two years with your sponsor (TRT).
Positive Skills Assessment
Direct Entry applicants must hold a valid, positive Skills Assessment from the designated Australian assessing authority at time of application.
Competent English
You must demonstrate at least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent PTE score) unless an official exemption applies.
Under 45 Years of Age
You must be under 45 years old when the visa application is lodged, unless you meet specific high-income or occupation exemption rules.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Sponsoring a position with a salary below the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), failing to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, or submitting an application without proving three full years of post-qualification work experience are leading causes of nomination and visa refusals.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your 186 Visa Application
We manage the dual-stage application process—protecting the sponsoring employer from compliance breaches while presenting an evidentiary case for the applicant.
01
Stream Audit & Strategy
We evaluate whether Direct Entry (DE) or Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) is optimal based on visa history and work experience.
02
Skills Assessment (If DE)
For Direct Entry applicants, we prepare and lodge formal qualification and employment evaluations with authorities like ACS, VETASSESS, or TRA.
03
Employer Nomination Lodgement
We compile corporate financial evidence, market salary benchmarking reports, and SAF levy calculations to lodge the employer's nomination.
04
Visa Application Submission
We assemble your professional employment references, identity records, and family documentation to lodge the visa linked to the nomination.
05
Liaison to PR Grant
We act as the legal point of contact for both employer and employee with the Department of Home Affairs through to visa grant.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
Documents Required for Subclass 186
A successful Employer Nomination Scheme application requires strict documentation from both the sponsoring Australian business and the skilled applicant.
Employer Sponsoring Evidence
- ASIC corporate registration and active ABN/ACN records
- Recent business tax returns, BAS, and financial statements
- Detailed employment contract offering 2+ years of full-time work
- Evidence of salary meeting AMSR and TSMIT benchmarks
Applicant Professional Proofs
- Positive Skills Assessment outcome letter (Direct Entry)
- 3+ years of formal employment references on letterhead
- Academic degrees, diplomas, and technical transcripts
- PAYG summaries, tax assessments, and bank salary deposits
Identity, Language & Character
- Valid passport bio-data pages for all family applicants
- Valid Competent English test results (IELTS, PTE, etc.)
- Police clearances from any country lived in for 12+ months
- Medical examination completion slips (post-lodgement)
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Costs & Processing Schedule
We believe in transparent budgeting so both sponsoring employers and skilled professionals understand government application charges and professional fees.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
AUD $6,140
This is the standard government visa application charge for a primary applicant. The employer also pays a nomination fee of AUD $540 plus the SAF levy (size-dependent).
* Fees are set by the Department and subject to change — confirm current fees during your initial assessment.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the specific complexity of your case. We evaluate your unique profile and corporate sponsorship structure before providing a clear quotation.
* Our fee covers corporate nomination preparation, salary compliance benchmarking, Skills Assessment guidance, and full visa representation.
Typical Processing Timelines
6 – 11 Months
Processing times apply from the date of final nomination and visa lodgement. Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams can vary based on Department queues.
* Clean, decision-ready applications with complete corporate and individual evidence tend to be processed significantly faster.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Registered Migration Agent for a 186 Visa?
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa is one of the most rigorously audited visas in Australia because it combines corporate financial scrutiny with individual qualification assessments. Unlike independent visas, a 186 application requires an employer to prove that a position is genuinely needed, that local Australian workers could not be sourced, and that the salary meets strict Fair Work and Departmental market rate thresholds.
A frequent cause of visa refusal is an poorly prepared employer nomination—such as failing to justify why a specific role is required within the organizational structure, or miscalculating the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). If the employer's nomination is refused, the employee’s visa application is automatically denied, resulting in lost application fees and potential visa status complications.
As registered MARN professionals, we represent both the sponsoring business and the applicant. We conduct thorough pre-lodgement audits of corporate financials, employment contracts, and applicant work histories to ensure total compliance with Australian Migration Regulations—securing a smooth pathway to permanent residency.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa program.
What are the three streams of the Subclass 186 ENS visa?
The Subclass 186 visa has three streams: Direct Entry (for applicants who meet formal skills assessment and 3 years work experience requirements without prior Australian sponsorship), Temporary Residence Transition (for existing TSS 482 holders who have worked for their sponsor for at least 2 years), and the Labour Agreement stream.
Do I need a positive Skills Assessment for a 186 visa?
A positive Skills Assessment is mandatory for the Direct Entry stream. However, if you are applying through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after holding a Subclass 482 visa, a formal Skills Assessment is generally not required unless specifically requested by the Department.
What is the age limit for the Subclass 186 visa, and are there exemptions?
You must generally be under 45 years of age at the time of application. Exemptions are available for high-income earners (those earning above the Fair Work High Income Threshold for three consecutive years under TRT), certain medical practitioners, and academic researchers.
What obligations does the sponsoring employer have for a 186 nomination?
The sponsoring Australian business must prove the position is genuine, full-time, and available for at least two consecutive years. The employer must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and offer a salary that meets the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
Can I include my family members in my Subclass 186 visa application?
Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application. All secondary applicants are granted permanent residency simultaneously upon approval.
Can I change employers after my Subclass 186 ENS visa is granted?
The Subclass 186 visa grants permanent residency without condition 8607 (employer restriction). However, both you and your sponsoring employer must have a genuine intention to maintain employment for at least two years after visa grant.
Ready to Apply for Your 186 ENS Visa?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss employer sponsorship, Direct Entry, or TRT stream eligibility.