The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer — it's usually the end destination for people who started out on a temporary sponsored visa, though it also has a direct route for workers coming from overseas.
Once granted, you and any included family members can live and work in Australia indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, travel freely for five years on the visa's travel facility, sponsor eligible relatives down the track, and eventually apply for citizenship if you meet the separate citizenship requirements.
Which stream you use depends mostly on your visa history.
For people who've already been working for their employer on a qualifying temporary skilled visa (such as the subclass 457 or 482) and want that employer to nominate them for permanent residence. Generally you'll need close to three years of full-time work with that employer in the nominated role, competent English, and to be under 45 unless an exemption applies.
For skilled workers who don't have the temporary-visa work history the TRT stream needs. This route usually calls for a positive skills assessment, around three years of relevant experience, an eligible occupation (with any licensing sorted out), and an employer willing to nominate you — plus the same general age and English benchmarks.
For employers who hold their own labour agreement with the Australian Government, which sets its own terms for occupation, salary and English requirements.
Across the streams, "competent English" is generally accepted through results such as IELTS 6.0 in each band, PTE around 50, OET grade B, or the equivalent TOEFL score. Note that the TRT stream doesn't carry the English exemptions that used to apply to some long-term 457 holders before the rules tightened in late 2019.
The nominating business needs to show it's genuinely and lawfully operating, that the position is real and ongoing, and that pay and conditions meet the required standard. For TRT nominations specifically, there's also an employer levy under the Skilling Australians Fund — currently around $3,000 for smaller businesses (turnover under $10 million) and $5,000 for larger ones, though the exact figure should be checked at the time of nomination.
A spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can generally be included in the same application, subject to the usual health and character checks.
I look at your occupation, qualifications, work history, visa history, age and English level to work out which stream fits.
Your employer nominates the position and provides the required business and employment evidence.
The application is prepared and lodged with supporting documents.
The Department may come back for more information, documents or health checks.
A grant means permanent residence in Australia.
I assist employers and workers with:
Contact me to discuss whether the subclass 186 is your best path to permanent residence.
The information on this page is general only and doesn't constitute migration advice for your circumstances. Visa requirements, levy amounts and government policy settings are reviewed periodically and can change. Meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee a nomination or visa will be approved.
