Australia Work Visa (Subclass 186)

What is the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) Visa?

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent visa designed for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It provides a pathway to permanent residency, enabling visa holders to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, offering stability and a clear path to Australian citizenship.

This visa is crucial for Australian businesses to fill genuine skilled positions where they cannot find a suitable Australian worker. It supports Australia’s economic growth by attracting skilled migrants to meet labour market demands.

Purpose of the Subclass 186 Visa

The primary purpose of the Subclass 186 visa is to allow Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for permanent positions when they cannot source suitable local talent. It aims to:

• Address skill shortages across various industries in Australia.
• Provide a secure and long-term residency pathway for skilled migrants.
• Support the growth and competitiveness of Australian businesses.

Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 186 Visa

To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa, applicants must meet specific criteria, which can vary slightly depending on the stream they apply under.

1. Employer Nomination

You must be nominated by an eligible Australian employer. The employer must:

• Have a genuine need for an ongoing permanent position.
• Offer a full-time position in an eligible occupation.
• Pay a market salary rate, which must be no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) (currently AUD 73,150 base, subject to annual indexation from July 1, 2025).
• Comply with Australian immigration and workplace laws.
• Pay the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.

2. Occupation on a Skilled List

Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for your chosen stream. For the Direct Entry stream, this is typically the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which replaced the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for this purpose. For the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, there are generally no occupation list restrictions, allowing a broader range of skilled workers, including those on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), to qualify.

3. Skills Assessment

If applying under the Direct Entry stream, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This is generally not required for the TRT stream if you have held a Subclass 457 or 482 visa.

4. Work Experience

• Direct Entry Stream: Generally requires at least three years of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation, gained after qualification completion.
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: As of recent changes, 482 visa holders must have been employed for at least two years (not including any periods of unpaid leave) within the three-year period immediately before the visa application. Importantly, work experience gained under any approved sponsor now counts toward this eligibility requirement, providing greater flexibility. The continuous employment requirement with a single employer has been removed.

5. English Proficiency

You must demonstrate Competent English proficiency. This can be proven through:

• IELTS (minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components)
• PTE Academic (minimum score of 50 in each component)
• TOEFL iBT (minimum score of 12 in listening, 13 in reading, 21 in writing, and 18 in speaking)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (minimum score of 169 in each component)
• Occupational English Test (OET) (at least ‘B’ in each of the four test components)

Exemptions apply for citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

6. Age Limit

Generally, you must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. Exemptions apply for certain occupations (e.g., academics nominated by an Australian university) or high-income earners.

7. Health & Character Requirements

All applicants and accompanying family members must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. This involves undergoing medical examinations by approved panel physicians and providing police clearance certificates from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.

Application Process for the Subclass 186 Visa

The application for a Subclass 186 visa typically involves a two-step process:

Step 1. Employer Lodges a Nomination

Your Australian employer must first lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs. This involves providing details about the position, proving a genuine need for the role, and demonstrating their compliance as a sponsor.

Step 2. Applicant Submits Visa Application

Once the employer’s nomination is approved (or lodged, depending on the stream), you can submit your visa application online through ImmiAccount. You must submit your visa application within six months of the nomination approval.

Key stages within your visa application may include:

• Gathering Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including identity and passport copies, skills assessment results (if applicable), employment references, English test results, health examination reports, and police clearance certificates.
• Providing Biometrics: You may be asked to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).
• Awaiting Visa Processing: The Department of Home Affairs will process your application. Processing times can vary, and you can monitor the status via your ImmiAccount. You may be requested to provide additional information or clarify details during this stage.
• Receiving Visa Decision: Once assessed, you will receive notification of the decision. If granted, you become a permanent resident from the day the visa is granted (if in Australia) or on the day you enter Australia on this visa (if outside Australia).

Benefits of the Subclass 186 Visa

The Subclass 186 visa offers numerous benefits for skilled migrants seeking a long-term future in Australia:

• Permanent Residence Status: You can live and work in Australia indefinitely.
• Access to Medicare: Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
• Work and Study Rights: Full work rights, and the ability to study in Australia with domestic student tuition fees (after satisfying residency requirements for certain payments).
• Family Inclusion: Include eligible family members (spouse, dependent children) in your application, granting them the same rights and benefits.
• Pathway to Citizenship: After meeting residency requirements (generally living in Australia for four years, with at least one year as a permanent resident), you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
• Travel Rights: Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted. After this period, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) is required to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
• Job Flexibility: Significant freedom to work in any region of Australia and change jobs or professions without altering visa standing (though initially there’s an obligation to work for the nominating employer for two years).

Updates and Considerations for 2025

The Australian immigration landscape is dynamic, with ongoing reforms aimed at streamlining processes and attracting skilled migrants. Key updates impacting the 186 visa include:

• Increased Flexibility in Work Experience: The removal of the continuous employment requirement and the ability to combine work experience from multiple approved sponsors within the three-year window for the TRT stream significantly enhances applicant flexibility.
• Expanded Occupation Eligibility: The inclusion of STSOL occupations for the 186 TRT stream broadens the pool of eligible skilled workers. The expansion of the Core Skills Occupation List also impacts the Direct Entry stream.
• Streamlined Pathways: Ongoing efforts focus on clearer and faster pathways to permanent residency, particularly for temporary visa holders.
• Higher Demand: Skilled migration remains a priority for Australia, leading to continued demand for skilled workers across various sectors.
• Salary Threshold Adjustments: The skilled visa income thresholds are increasing in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings, impacting the minimum salary requirement for nominated positions.

Tips for a Successful Application

To maximize your chances of a successful Subclass 186 visa application, consider the following tips:

• Research Thoroughly: Understand the specific requirements for your chosen stream and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
• Prepare Meticulously: Gather all required documents well in advance, ensuring they are accurate, up-to-date, and in the correct format. Mismatched or outdated information can lead to delays or rejection.
• Address Skills Assessment Early: If applying for the Direct Entry stream, initiate your skills assessment process as early as possible, as it can be time-consuming.
• Demonstrate English Proficiency: Ensure you meet the English language requirements by taking an approved English test and achieving the minimum scores.
• Ensure Employer Compliance: Your nominating employer must meet all sponsorship obligations and be able to demonstrate a genuine need for your position.
• Seek Professional Advice: Consulting with a qualified migration agent or immigration lawyer can provide invaluable guidance, help navigate complex requirements, and identify potential vulnerabilities in your application.

Final Thoughts

The Australia Work Visa (Subclass 186) remains a crucial pathway for skilled individuals seeking permanent residency in Australia. With recent changes offering greater flexibility in work experience and occupation eligibility, it presents an attractive opportunity for those looking to build a long-term future down under. By understanding the eligibility criteria, the application process, and staying informed about updates, prospective applicants can significantly enhance their chances of success.