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Permanent · Employer sponsored

Subclass 186Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa

A permanent, employer-sponsored visa with three pathways, for workers already meeting Australia's skills-assessment and employment-history requirements.

The 186 is the primary employer-sponsored PR route. Most applicants come through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after 2+ years on a 482 / SID visa; the Direct Entry stream sits alongside for eligible offshore or newly-arrived applicants.

Check 186 eligibility
At a glance

The essentials

Visa type
Permanent, employer-sponsored
Streams
Temporary Residence Transition · Direct Entry · Labour Agreement
Occupation list
The 186 Core Skills Occupation List
English requirement
IELTS 6 (or equivalent) in each component
Age limit
45 at application (Direct Entry and Transition streams)
Employment requirement
3+ years full-time employment in the nominated occupation (not necessarily continuous or immediately prior)
Eligibility

Do you qualify?

  • Nominating employer approved (SBS or on-hand ENS nomination)
  • Nominated occupation on the 186 CSOL
  • Positive skills assessment matching the exact 6-digit ANZSCO code
  • 3+ years full-time employment in the nominated occupation
  • IELTS 6 in each component, or equivalent
  • Under 45 at application (Direct Entry / TRT streams)
  • Health and character requirements met
Process

How to apply

  1. 1
    1. Sponsor + nomination
    Employer becomes/renews their sponsorship and lodges a nomination for the position.
  2. 2
    2. Skills assessment (Direct Entry)
    Must be obtained BEFORE the visa application is lodged — an assessment obtained later doesn't count.
  3. 3
    3. Visa application
    Applicant lodges the visa application with supporting evidence and remains eligible until decision.
Skills-assessment mechanics that cause the most refusals
Must be obtained BEFORE the visa application is lodged. Must match the exact 6-digit ANZSCO code — an assessment for a related-but-different code (e.g. Fitter and Turner vs Metal Machinist) doesn't satisfy the requirement, even within the same occupation group. If the assessing authority doesn't specify an expiry, the assessment is valid for 3 years from issue.
Integrity requirements
The nominated position must be genuine. The prior exemption from English / skills requirements for nominated earnings above AUD 180,000 has been removed.
Occupations that qualify

Which occupations open the 186 door?

See every ANZSCO occupation currently mapped to subclass 186 on the SkillX Skilled Occupation List — filtered, searchable, sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation.

Browse 186 occupations
FAQs

Common questions

Can I use my 482 employment to qualify?+

Yes — 2+ years on a SID / TSS visa in the nominated occupation (any employer) within the prior 3 years unlocks the TRT stream.

What if my occupation isn't on the 186 CSOL?+

You may still qualify via the Labour Agreement stream if your employer has a specific labour agreement in place.

Does the assessment expire?+

If the assessing authority doesn't specify an expiry, the assessment is valid for 3 years from issue.

Ready to test your 186 chances?
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Run the check
Figures last updated 1 July 2026. Visa policy moves — verify against the Department of Home Affairs before lodgement.