Australia Employer Nomination Visa: Get Permanent Residence

The Australia Employer Nomination visa, officially called the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), allows eligible skilled workers nominated by Australian employers to live and work in Australia permanently.

Unlike a temporary sponsored work visa, subclass 186 provides permanent residence from the time the visa is granted. This makes it an important option for skilled professionals who want to establish a long-term career and life in Australia.

However, you cannot simply apply independently. You need an Australian employer to nominate you, and you must satisfy the requirements of the particular subclass 186 stream you use.

What Is the Australia Employer Nomination Visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme is an employer-sponsored permanent residence programme.

If your application is approved, you can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. You can also enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and potentially apply for Australian citizenship later if you meet the citizenship requirements.

The visa also provides a five-year travel facility from the date of grant.

You can check the official subclass 186 visa information before beginning the process.

Three Subclass 186 Visa Streams

There are three main streams under the Employer Nomination Scheme. Choosing the correct one depends largely on your employment history and your employer.

Direct Entry Stream

The Direct Entry stream can provide permanent residence to skilled workers nominated directly by an Australian employer.

You generally need to:

• Be under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies.
• Be nominated by an Australian employer.
• Have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List.
• Have at least three years of relevant work experience, unless exempt.
• Obtain a positive skills assessment before applying, unless exempt.
• Meet the required English standard.
• Meet health and character requirements.

This stream can be particularly relevant to experienced professionals who have not previously worked for the sponsoring employer in Australia.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is aimed primarily at eligible workers who have already been working in Australia through employer sponsorship.

You generally need to hold a subclass 457, subclass 482 or an eligible bridging visa.

Applicants usually need to have completed at least two years of full-time eligible sponsored employment while holding a subclass 457 or 482 visa.

Your Australian employer must also nominate you for permanent residence.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream is available in particular circumstances where an employer operates under an appropriate labour agreement with the Australian Government.

Labour agreements are used where employers have demonstrated a need for overseas workers that cannot be adequately met through Australia’s standard skilled migration programmes.

The conditions depend on the relevant labour agreement.

Do You Need an Australian Employer?

Yes. Employer nomination is fundamental to the Australia Employer Nomination visa.

For Direct Entry, the nominating business must be actively and lawfully operating. The employer submits a nomination for the position, while you submit your visa application.

You need the employer’s nomination Transaction Reference Number when completing the visa process.

Your employer’s nomination must ultimately be approved before the Department of Home Affairs can grant your subclass 186 visa.

Which Occupations Qualify for Direct Entry?

Direct Entry applicants must be nominated for an occupation on Australia’s Core Skills Occupation List.

The list covers many professional and skilled occupations across sectors such as:

• Healthcare.
• Engineering.
• Information technology.
• Construction.
• Education.
• Finance and accounting.
• Professional services.
• Skilled trades.

Do not assume that working in one of these industries automatically makes your job eligible.

Your exact occupation matters. Check the official skilled occupation information to confirm your occupation before planning an application.

How Much Work Experience Do You Need?

For the Direct Entry stream, applicants generally need at least three years of relevant work experience unless an exemption applies.

Your experience should correspond appropriately with the occupation for which your employer is nominating you.

You should be prepared to provide evidence supporting your employment history. Depending on your circumstances, this could include employer references, employment records and other documents requested during the assessment.

The Temporary Residence Transition stream has different requirements. Applicants usually need two years of eligible sponsored full-time employment while holding a qualifying temporary visa.

Do You Need a Skills Assessment?

Direct Entry applicants generally need a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation before submitting the visa application.

The assessment normally cannot be more than three years old when you apply, unless a shorter validity period has been specified.

The organisation responsible for assessing you depends on your occupation.

Some applicants are exempt from the skills assessment requirement. These include certain academics and specified scientists, researchers or technical specialists, as well as some eligible New Zealand visa holders who meet specific employment conditions.

English Language Requirements

Direct Entry applicants generally need at least Competent English.

There are several ways to demonstrate English proficiency under Australia’s immigration rules, depending on your nationality, test results and circumstances.

If you need an English examination, make sure the test and scores are accepted for subclass 186.

The Department of Home Affairs states that relevant English test results for Direct Entry generally cannot be more than three years old when you apply.

How Much Does the Subclass 186 Visa Cost?

The current starting application charge for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa is AUD $6,140 for the main applicant. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Additional charges apply when family members are included.

A second instalment may also apply to an accompanying family member aged 18 or older who has less than Functional English. The current second instalment for such a family member is AUD $4,890. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

You should also budget separately for possible expenses such as:

• Skills assessments.
• English tests.
• Medical examinations.
• Police certificates.
• Biometrics where requested.
• Document translations or certification.

Visa charges can change. Always use the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing information before making payment.

How to Apply for the Australia Employer Nomination Visa

The employer nomination and visa application are connected, but they are separate processes.

A typical Direct Entry application involves these steps:

1. Identify your occupation: Confirm that your occupation is eligible for Direct Entry.
2. Check your experience: Make sure you satisfy the relevant work experience requirement.
3. Complete your skills assessment: Obtain a positive assessment where required.
4. Check your English: Complete an accepted English examination if necessary.
5. Secure employer nomination: Find an Australian employer prepared to nominate you for an eligible permanent position.
6. Obtain the nomination reference: Your employer receives a Transaction Reference Number after submitting the nomination.
7. Prepare your documents: Gather your identity, employment, qualification, English and skills assessment evidence.
8. Apply through ImmiAccount: Submit your visa application online and pay the applicable charge.
9. Complete additional checks: Provide health examinations, police certificates or biometrics where required.
10. Wait for a decision: Respond promptly if the Department requests additional information.

Can You Apply From Outside Australia?

Yes. Subclass 186 applications can be made from inside or outside Australia.

This is particularly useful for Direct Entry applicants because an experienced skilled worker overseas may potentially qualify without first obtaining a temporary Australian work visa.

If applying from within Australia, additional requirements concerning your current visa status can apply.

Can Your Family Get Permanent Residence?

Eligible family members can be included in a subclass 186 application.

This can include your partner and eligible dependent children or stepchildren.

Family members included in the application must satisfy the relevant health and character requirements. Additional application charges can also apply.

If the visa is granted, eligible included family members receive Australian permanent residence as part of the application.

What Do You Get as an Australian Permanent Resident?

Subclass 186 is significantly different from a temporary employer-sponsored visa because it grants permanent residence.

Successful applicants can:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely.
• Work and study in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Sponsor eligible relatives.
• Travel to and from Australia using the visa’s five-year travel facility.
• Apply for Australian citizenship later if eligible.

Permanent residence does not automatically make you an Australian citizen. Citizenship is a separate process with its own eligibility requirements.

Subclass 482 vs Subclass 186

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is temporary, while the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is permanent.

A subclass 482 visa can generally allow eligible sponsored workers to remain in Australia for between one and four years. Subclass 186 grants permanent residence. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

The two routes can also connect. Eligible subclass 482 workers may later qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of subclass 186 after satisfying the required sponsored employment conditions.

Watch Out for Employer Sponsorship Scams

The prospect of Australian permanent residence makes employer nomination attractive to scammers.

Be cautious of anyone offering a guaranteed subclass 186 visa or claiming that you can simply purchase an Australian employer nomination.

Warning signs include:

• Guaranteed permanent residence without assessing your eligibility.
• Fake employment contracts.
• Jobs that cannot be independently verified.
• Requests to pay money into personal bank accounts.
• Claims that work experience or skills assessments can be ignored.
• Pressure to provide money or personal documents immediately.

If you use immigration assistance, Australia restricts who can legally provide immigration assistance. Verify the person before paying for professional services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does subclass 186 give permanent residence immediately?

Yes. The Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 is a permanent visa. If granted, you become an Australian permanent resident.

Can I apply without previously working in Australia?

Potentially, yes. The Direct Entry stream is available to qualifying skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer and does not require you to have first spent two years on a subclass 482 visa.

Do I need three years of experience?

Direct Entry applicants generally need at least three years of relevant work experience unless an exemption applies.

Can my spouse and children be included?

Eligible partners and dependent children can generally be included, subject to the applicable requirements and additional visa charges.

Do I need an employer to apply?

Yes. You must have an eligible nomination from an Australian employer. Subclass 186 is not an independent skilled migration visa.

Final Thoughts on the Australia Employer Nomination Visa

The Australia Employer Nomination visa provides eligible skilled workers with a direct route to Australian permanent residence through employer nomination.

For experienced overseas professionals, the Direct Entry stream can be particularly interesting because qualifying applicants may obtain permanent residence without first holding a temporary sponsored visa.

Start by checking your occupation, experience, skills assessment and English requirements. Then focus on finding genuine Australian employers recruiting professionals with your skills.

Disclaimer: Australian immigration rules, visa charges, occupation lists and eligibility requirements can change. Always confirm current information through the Australian Department of Home Affairs before applying or making financial decisions.