Visa 186 is often considered the golden ticket that allows skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Australia. However, many applicants still struggle to fully understand the eligibility requirements of this visa and mistakenly believe that simply having a Skills Assessment guarantees approval.
In reality, the visa 186 process is far more complex. It requires careful preparation from meeting employer sponsorship requirements to demonstrating professional qualifications and relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, let Skill Direct guide you through the essential information in this article.
1. What is visa 186?
Visa 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme visa) is a type of permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently through sponsorship from an approved Australian employer.
1.1 Purpose of visa 186
To attract and retain high-quality talent from around the world, the Australian Government introduced the subclass 186 as part of its strategy to strengthen the national workforce. This visa program provides opportunities for professionals, engineers, chefs, and managers to advance their careers and establish long-term lives in Australia through employer sponsorship.
1.2 Benefits of visa 186
Holding a 186 visa opens the door to permanent residency and a range of valuable benefits, including:
- Permanent residence: Live in Australia indefinitely.
- Social welfare: Access Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare).
- Family sponsorship: Sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
- Education and employment: Study and work freely in Australia.
- Travel rights: Travel in and out of Australia freely for five years after the visa is granted.
- Pathway to citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the lawful residence requirements.
1.3 Three streams under visa 186
To support both Australian employers and skilled overseas workers, the Department of Home Affairs divides the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) into three distinct streams, each catering to different applicant profiles and migration pathways.
Depending on your work experience, employment status, and employer sponsorship, you can choose the stream that best suits your situation.
Below is an overview of each stream:
| Visa stream | Temporary Residence Transition stream | Direct Entry stream | Labour Agreement stream |
| Pathway | Transition from visa 457 or 482 . | Direct nomination by an Australian employer; applicants must have a valid Skills Assessment before applying. | For applicants working under a formal labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government. |
| Experience | Must have worked full-time for the same employer in Australia for at least 2 years. | At least 3 years of relevant work experience. | Must be working (or about to work) for an employer under a Labour Agreement. |
For detailed requirements, refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.
1.4 Application process for visa 186
The visa 186 application process varies depending on the stream you apply.
| Step | Temporary Residence Transition stream | Direct Entry stream | Labour Agreement stream |
| 1/ Check eligibility | General requirements:
Specific requirements:
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General requirements:
Specific requirements:
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General requirements:
Specific requirements:
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| 2/ Prepare documents | Personal documents: passport, birth certificate, police clearance, marital status.
Professional documents: qualifications, trade certificates, employment references. Other: English test results, health checks, insurance, etc. |
Personal documents: passport, birth certificate, police clearance, marital status.
Professional documents: qualifications, trade certificates, employment references. Other: English test results, health checks, insurance, etc. |
Personal documents: passport, birth certificate, police clearance, marital status.
Professional documents: qualifications, trade certificates, employment references. Other: English test results, health checks, insurance, etc. |
| 3/ Submit application | Submit once nomination is approved.
Apply online via ImmiAccount. Pay the visa fee and attach all supporting documents. |
Submit once nomination is approved.
Apply online via ImmiAccount. Pay the visa fee and attach all supporting documents. |
Submit once nomination is approved.
Apply online via ImmiAccount. Pay the visa fee and attach all supporting documents. |
| 4/ After submission | Department of Home Affairs will review your application and may request additional documents.
You can track your application status via ImmiAccount. You must maintain legal visa status if applying onshore. |
Department of Home Affairs will review your application and may request additional documents.
You can track your application status via ImmiAccount. You must maintain legal visa status if applying onshore. |
The application will be assessed under Labour Agreement conditions, which may offer flexibility regarding age or English level.
You can track status via ImmiAccount. |
Visa outcome:
- If approved, you will become an Australian permanent resident (PR).
- If refused, the refusal letter will outline reasons and your right to appeal.
2. Is Skills Assessment the key to getting visa 186?
A Skills Assessment is an important requirement but not the deciding factor in whether your subclass 186 visa will be granted.
It serves as an initial evaluation by an authorized Australian assessing authority to verify your qualifications and work experience against the standards for your nominated occupation.
Even with a positive Skills Assessment, your visa 186 application may still be refused if other conditions such as nomination approval, English proficiency, health, or character requirements are not met.
You can fail visa 186 by some reasons:
Once you have obtained a Skills Assessment, you must ensure that you meet all the requirements set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Some common reasons why visa applications are refused include:
- Lack of English proficiency: You do not meet the required English level for your nominated occupation. Typically, you must achieve at least IELTS 6.0 or an equivalent score in other tests such as PTE or TOEFL.
- Insufficient sponsorship evidence: Your sponsoring employer must demonstrate that the nominated position is genuine and that you are the most suitable candidate for the role. If they fail to provide sufficient evidence to support the nomination, your visa application may be refused.
- Lack of proof of work experience: You must provide evidence of your skills and experience through documents such as reference letters, payslips, or employment contracts. However, if your documents fail to clearly outline your roles and responsibilities, the Department of Home Affairs may reject your application.
3. How to assess your visa 186 application
To increase your chances of obtaining the subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme visa), it’s essential to accurately assess your eligibility before submitting your application to the Department of Home Affairs. There are two common ways to do this:
3.1 Self-assessment of core requirements
You can take the initiative to evaluate your eligibility by checking the latest information on the official websites of the Department of Home Affairs. Some key factors to review include:
- English proficiency level
- Skills Assessment results
- Work experience documentation
- Employer nomination that matches an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List
However, self-assessment requires a solid understanding of migration regulations, which may change every financial year. Moreover, the complex paperwork and detailed requirements can easily lead to missing or incomplete documents, potentially affecting your visa outcome.
3.2 Seek professional guidance from migration experts
Instead of struggling through the complicated paperwork and legal requirements on your own, you can seek assistance from registered migration agents (MARA) professionals with in-depth knowledge of Australian immigration law and real-world application processes.
At Skill Direct, our team of migration consultants are well-trained and regularly updated on policy changes from the Department of Home Affairs. We help you accurately assess your case, determine the most suitable visa 186 stream (TRT, Direct Entry, or Labour Agreement), and provide the best strategy for your situation.
Beyond eligibility assessment, Skill Direct also assists you in:
- Understanding clearly employer nomination and Skills Assessment requirements
- Preparing a complete and compliant visa application
- Minimizing risks of visa refusal due to missing or misunderstood documents
- Optimizing processing time and increasing your chance of visa success
With Skill Direct by your side, your journey toward permanent residency and a long-term career in Australia will become smoother, safer, and more achievable than ever before.
Learn more about visa 186 with migration experts from Skill Direct.
