SC186
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa is a permanent residency visa for highly skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
Benefits of the Subclass 186 Visa
Permanent Residency in Australia
- Live and work in Australia permanently.
- Study at any Australian educational institution.
- Enjoy the benefits of being an Australian permanent resident in many areas.
Access to Australia's Social Benefits
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system.
- Access healthcare services and community support programs available to eligible residents.
Greater Opportunities for Your Family's Future
- Include eligible family members in your visa application or sponsor eligible relatives to migrate to Australia
- Travel freely to and from Australia for up to 5 years from the date your visa is granted.
- Become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once all requirements are met.
Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 186 Visa
To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa application, you must meet the following core requirements:
Employer Sponsorship
Be nominated by an Australian employer for a full-time, ongoing position.
Occupation
Your nominated occupation must be eligible under the relevant visa stream.
Skills & Work Experience
Meet the qualification, skills, and relevant work experience requirements for the nominated occupation.
Skills Assessment (if applicable)
Some visa streams or occupations require a suitable positive Skills Assessment.
English
Meet the English language requirements specified by the Department of Home Affairs or the relevant Labour Agreement.
Age
Generally, you must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless an age exemption applies.
Health and Character Requirements
Complete the required health examinations using your HAP ID.
If you have lived in any country for 12 months or more within the last 10 years, you will be required to provide a police clearance certificate from that country.
Additional Requirements (if applicable)
Some visa streams or Labour Agreements may have additional requirements relating to age, skills, work experience, or English language proficiency.
Subclass 186 visa Streams
(either onshore or offshore)
subclass 186 visa Application Process
Assess Eligibility
Review the nominated occupation and the applicant’s profile to determine eligibility for sponsorship.
Lodge Nomination
Businesses submit applications to nominate employees for sponsorship.
Lodge Visa
After the nomination is approved, the applicant submits visa application if all eligibility requirements are met.
Visa Processing
Wait for your visa application to be processed and provide additional documents if requested.
Visa Granted
The visa granted will be a PR visa; holders of the 186 visa have 5 years of unlimited entry and exit from Australia.
HOW CAN SKILL DIRECT HELP YOU?
We Support You Every Step of the Way Toward Your Australian Migration Goals
Identify your stream and create a suitable roadmap.
Assess your occupation, qualifications, work experience, and eligibility to recommend the most suitable visa pathway
Support Employer Sponsorship & Nomination
Prepare the Visa Application
Gathering and preparing all required documents to ensure the application is complete, accurate, and ready for lodgement.
Ongoing Support Until Visa Grant
Assist with requests during the nomination and visa assessment process, and provide ongoing advice on permanent residency and Australian citizenship pathways.
ARE YOU READY TO START YOUR MIGRATION JOURNEY?
Book a consultation with Skill Direct to develop a visa strategy tailored to your profile.
Frequently asked questions
Below are our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you better understand our services and the migration process at Skill Direct.
1. Is It Difficult to Transition from a Subclass 482 to a Subclass 186?
Transitioning from a Subclass 482 to a Subclass 186 is generally achievable if you meet the relevant requirements, including:
- Your employer continues to require your position.
- Your sponsoring employer remains eligible and is willing to nominate you.
- You meet all eligibility requirements for the Subclass 186 at the time of application.
If these requirements are met, the transition from a Subclass 482 to a Subclass 186 is generally straightforward.
2. Regarding the experience requirement for the subclass 186 visa, is the required 3 years of experience calculated from the date of the skill assessment, or can it be calculated from before that date?
Experience can be considered prior to this, provided that the requirement of at least 3 years of full-time experience and skill level is met; the skills assessment is only a requirement of the subclass 186 visa application.
3. What are the work experience requirements for the 186 TRT (subclass 186) visa?
For the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the subclass 186 visa, applicants must have worked full-time for at least two years on a 457/482 visa within the last three years, and during that time, the sponsoring employer must have maintained a valid SBS permit. Additionally, the salary must meet the minimum wage required by the Department of Immigration and be commensurate with market rates.