The current 186 visa requirements in Australia generally include being under 45 years of age at the time of application, having at least competent English, holding a genuine nomination from an eligible Australian employer, and meeting the specific criteria of the stream you apply under.
The exact requirements for 186 visa applicants vary depending on whether you are applying through the Temporary Residence Transition stream, Direct Entry stream or Labour Agreement stream.
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa, known as Subclass 186, is one of Australia’s main employer-sponsored permanent residence pathways. Unlike a temporary sponsored visa, the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 grants permanent residence when approved. Home Affairs currently describes the 186 as a permanent employer-sponsored visa with no geographical restriction.
Subclass 186 Visa Requirements Depend on Your Stream
Before checking individual Subclass 186 visa requirements, you first need to determine which stream applies to your circumstances.
Temporary Residence Transition stream. This pathway is generally for eligible workers who have built qualifying sponsored employment in Australia and are being nominated for permanent residence.
Direct Entry stream. This pathway is generally for skilled workers applying directly for permanent employer sponsorship and usually carries additional skills assessment and experience requirements.
Labour Agreement stream. This stream applies where an employer has access to a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government. Labour agreements can include specific concessions or requirements relating to matters such as age, English, salary and work experience.
186 Visa Age Requirements
One of the key 186 visa age requirements is that applicants are generally required to be under 45 years of age when applying.
However, certain exemptions can apply depending on the applicant’s occupation, employment history, income or the particular stream being used.
If you are approaching the age limit, timing can become an important part of your 186 visa strategy.
186 Visa English Requirements
The 186 visa English requirements generally require applicants in the Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry streams to demonstrate competent English unless an exemption applies.
Competent English may generally be demonstrated through an approved English language test or through an eligible passport where the applicant meets the applicable exemption rules.
For example, applicants may need to provide IELTS or another accepted English test result that satisfies the required standard.
Because English test validity and exemption rules can be technical, applicants should check that their evidence remains valid at the time of application.
186 Visa Employer Requirements
The 186 visa employer requirements are just as important as the applicant requirements.
The nominating employer must generally be lawfully and actively operating in Australia and must nominate a genuine position.
The employment must generally be for at least two years after the visa is granted. Home Affairs currently lists this as a core feature of the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186.
The employer must also satisfy the relevant nomination requirements and provide employment terms that meet applicable Australian workplace and salary standards.
186 Visa Nomination Requirements
The 186 visa nomination requirements depend on the stream and the employer’s circumstances.
The employer generally needs to nominate the position through the appropriate process before or in connection with the visa application.
The nominated position must be genuine and suitable for the applicant’s occupation and employment circumstances.
For employer-sponsored visas, Home Affairs explains that employers may need to nominate the role and the person they intend to employ through ImmiAccount.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream Requirements
If you are moving from a Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 toward permanent residence, the Temporary Residence Transition stream may be relevant.
Applicants generally need to demonstrate the required period of eligible sponsored employment during the relevant period before applying.
The employment generally needs to meet the applicable requirements concerning full-time work, visa status and sponsorship arrangements.
In some cases, qualifying employment with more than one sponsoring employer may be able to count toward the relevant employment requirement.
A formal skills assessment is generally not a standard requirement for the Temporary Residence Transition stream, although applicants still need to demonstrate that they satisfy the visa criteria applicable to their circumstances.
186 Direct Entry Visa Requirements
The 186 Direct Entry visa requirements generally involve a higher level of upfront evidence because the applicant may not have built the required sponsored employment history through the TRT pathway.
Direct Entry applicants generally require a positive skills assessment unless an exemption applies. Home Affairs specifically identifies a skills assessment as a requirement for Direct Entry stream applicants, subject to exemptions.
The nominated occupation must also meet the applicable occupation requirements for Subclass 186. The Department currently lists a specific legislative instrument for occupations and assessing authorities for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
186 Visa Work Experience Requirement
The 186 visa work experience requirement varies depending on the stream.
For the Direct Entry stream, applicants generally need to demonstrate relevant skilled work experience in their nominated occupation, subject to any available exemption.
For Temporary Residence Transition applicants, the focus is generally on the required period of eligible sponsored employment before applying.
Applicants should carefully document their work history, including employment references, contracts, payslips and other evidence showing the nature and duration of their employment.
186 Visa Australia Requirements for Skills and Qualifications
The 186 visa Australia requirements can also include evidence that you have the qualifications, skills, registration or licensing needed for your nominated occupation.
Where a professional licence or registration is required to work in the occupation, the applicant generally needs to hold the relevant registration or licensing. Home Affairs specifically notes this requirement for Subclass 186 applicants where applicable.
Applicants in regulated professions such as health, trades or other licensed occupations should check these requirements before lodging.
Health and Character Requirements
Subclass 186 visa requirements also include health and character criteria.
Applicants may need to complete health examinations and provide police clearance certificates depending on their circumstances and residence history.
The exact evidence required can vary between applicants.
Documents Required for a 186 Visa
While the exact document list varies according to stream and individual circumstances, applicants commonly need:
- passport and identity documents
- qualifications and academic transcripts
- employment references and work history evidence
- English language evidence where required
- skills assessment for Direct Entry applicants where required
- registration or licensing evidence where applicable
- health examination evidence
- police clearance certificates
- employment and sponsorship evidence
- nomination-related documents
- evidence of qualifying sponsored employment for TRT applicants
186 Visa Requirements Checklist
A practical 186 visa requirements checklist should normally cover:
- Age eligibility
- English language requirements
- Correct stream selection
- Employer eligibility
- Genuine nomination
- Occupation eligibility
- Skills assessment where required
- Work experience requirements
- Salary and employment conditions
- Health requirements
- Character requirements
- Supporting documents
- Registration or licensing where required
Using a checklist can help identify missing evidence before an application is lodged.
186 Visa Employer Requirements and Salary
Employers nominating a worker under Subclass 186 must satisfy the applicable employment and nomination requirements.
The position should be genuine and reflect a real ongoing need within the business.
Salary and employment conditions must comply with applicable Australian requirements and should not be less favourable than those provided to an equivalent Australian worker.
Employers should also ensure that the nominated role, occupation and supporting business evidence are consistent across the nomination and visa application.
Realistic Processing Time for a 186 Visa
Subclass 186 processing times vary depending on stream, occupation, application quality, Department priorities and application volumes.
Home Affairs currently applies skilled visa processing priorities to Subclass 186 applications under Ministerial Direction 119.
Because processing priorities and published processing times can change, applicants should check the latest Home Affairs processing information before relying on a fixed timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main 186 visa requirements?
The main 186 visa requirements generally include age, English, employer nomination, skills or qualifications, work experience, health and character requirements, plus any stream-specific criteria.
What are the 186 visa age requirements?
Applicants are generally required to be under 45 years of age when applying, although certain exemptions may apply.
What are the 186 visa English requirements?
Applicants in the Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry streams generally need competent English unless an exemption applies.
What are the 186 visa employer requirements?
The employer must generally be lawfully operating in Australia, nominate a genuine position and satisfy the applicable nomination and employment requirements.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 visa?
A positive skills assessment is generally required for Direct Entry applicants unless an exemption applies. It is generally not a standard requirement for the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
What is the 186 visa work experience requirement?
The required employment experience depends on the stream. Direct Entry applicants generally need relevant skilled work experience, while TRT applicants need to satisfy the applicable sponsored-employment requirements.
What are the 186 visa nomination requirements?
The employer must lodge a valid nomination for a genuine position and satisfy the relevant employer and nomination criteria.
Does the 186 visa provide permanent residency?
Yes. The Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 is a permanent visa.
Need Help Understanding the Requirements for 186 Visa Applications?
Understanding the requirements for 186 visa applications can be difficult because the criteria depend on your stream, occupation, work history and employer circumstances.
PATHFINDER Visa & Immigration Services can assist with:
- 186 visa eligibility assessment
- 186 visa employer requirements
- 186 visa nomination requirements
- 186 visa English requirements
- 186 visa work experience requirements
- Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition pathways
- employer nomination and supporting documents
If you want to know whether you currently meet the 186 visa requirements and which Subclass 186 pathway may apply to you, contact PATHFINDER Visa & Immigration Services to discuss your circumstances.
