The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently through employer sponsorship.

The Subclass 186 visa is one of the most secure and structured pathways to Australian permanent residency for skilled professionals who are sponsored by an approved Australian employer.

At Gateway to Australia Migration, we provide comprehensive guidance for both employers and employees throughout the nomination and visa process, ensuring compliance and long-term migration success.

The Subclass 186 visa has two primary streams:

• Direct Entry (DE) Stream
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
   

Each stream has distinct eligibility criteria and strategic considerations.

The Direct Entry stream is designed for skilled workers who:

• Have not previously held a Subclass 482 or 457 visa with the sponsoring employer, or 
• Do not meet TRT eligibility requirements
   

Applicants generally must:

• Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
• Have a positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation
• Have at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience
• Meet Competent English requirements
• Be nominated by an approved Australian employer
• Meet health and character requirements
   

The occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list, and the employer must demonstrate the position is genuine and full-time.

The Direct Entry stream requires a formal skills assessment and strict evidence of employment history. Proper documentation preparation is critical to avoid delays or refusal.

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is designed for employees who have worked for their sponsoring employer on a Subclass 482 (or former 457 visa) and wish to transition to permanent residency.

Applicants generally must:

• Have worked for the sponsoring employer for the required qualifying period
• Be nominated in the same occupation (or closely related occupation) 
• Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
• Meet English language requirements
• Continue to be employed in a genuine full-time role
   

The TRT stream often does not require a new skills assessment, making it a more streamlined pathway for eligible temporary visa holders.

 The Subclass 186 visa involves two main stages:

The employer must:

• Demonstrate the position is genuine and ongoing 
• Meet market salary requirements 
• Show financial capacity 
• Comply with Labour Market Testing (where required) 
• Meet sponsorship obligations

The applicant must provide:

• Skills and qualification evidence
• Employment documentation
• English test results (if required)
• Health and character clearances
   

Strategic alignment between employer and employee documentation is essential for approval.

• Permanent residency from the date of grant
• Work and live anywhere in Australia
• Access to Medicare 
• Ability to sponsor eligible family members 
• Pathway to Australian citizenship (subject to eligibility) 
• No regional restrictions
   

For many skilled workers, the Subclass 186 visa represents long-term stability and security in Australia.

Employers sponsoring under Subclass 186 must:

• Provide ongoing full-time employment 
• Pay market salary rates 
• Maintain compliance with sponsorship laws 
• Notify the Department of Home Affairs of relevant changes
   

Non-compliance can result in penalties or sponsorship bars.

We assist employers in meeting compliance requirements while protecting their workforce planning strategies.

• Strategic eligibility assessment (DE vs TRT pathway) 
• End-to-end nomination and visa management 
• Skills assessment coordination
• Risk assessment and refusal prevention strategy 
• Permanent residency planning 
• Ongoing employer compliance guidance
   

We provide tailored advice to ensure both employers and skilled professionals achieve secure permanent residency outcomes with confidence.