The Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for an eligible occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. Applicants generally need at least three years of relevant work experience and a suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation, unless an exemption applies. They must also meet the applicable age, English, health, character and other visa requirements.
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for eligible holders of a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa, or an eligible bridging visa, who are nominated by their employer. Applicants must usually have completed at least two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment while holding a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa. They must also meet the applicable age, English, health, character and other visa requirements, unless an exemption applies.
The Labour Agreement stream is for skilled workers nominated by an employer through a labour agreement with the Australian Government. The labour agreement must provide a pathway to permanent residence for the nominated occupation. Skills, work experience, English, age and other requirements depend on the terms of the relevant labour agreement and applicable visa criteria.
A suitable skills assessment is generally required for applicants applying through the Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream, unless an exemption applies. The assessment must be completed by the relevant assessing authority for the applicant’s nominated occupation.
A skills assessment examines whether an applicant’s qualifications, skills and relevant employment meet the standards established by the assessing authority for the nominated occupation. The requirements, documents, fees, processing times and assessment methods vary between occupations and assessing authorities.
The relevant assessing authority depends on the nominated occupation. Examples include:
• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Assesses various trade occupations, including Chef, Cook, Electrician, Plumber and other specified trades, depending on the applicable assessment program.
• VETASSESS: Assesses many professional and general occupations listed under its authority.
• Engineers Australia: Assesses specified engineering occupations.
• Australian Computer Society (ACS): Assesses many information and communications technology occupations.
• CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA): Assess specified accounting occupations.
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC): Conducts migration skills assessments for specified nursing and midwifery occupations.
Other occupation-specific assessing authorities may apply. Applicants should confirm their nominated occupation, the correct assessing authority and the applicable assessment pathway before submitting an application.
A positive skills assessment does not guarantee approval of an employer nomination or a Subclass 186 visa. The Department of Home Affairs separately assesses whether all nomination and visa requirements have been met.
The Subclass 186 visa application cost starts from AUD $6,140 for the main applicant. Additional visa application charges may apply for family members included in the application.
A lower visa application charge may apply in limited circumstances to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Other expenses may include skills assessment fees, English language tests, health examinations, police certificates, document translations and professional service fees.
Subclass 186 visa processing times vary depending on the visa stream, the completeness and complexity of the application, verification requirements, application volumes and government processing priorities. Published processing times are estimates based on recently decided applications and do not guarantee that an individual application will be finalised within a particular timeframe.
Visa charges and processing times may change. Applicants should check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator and Visa Processing Times Guide before applying.
Information reviewed: 21 July 2026.
If granted, the Subclass 186 visa may provide the following benefits:
• Permanent Residence: Live, work and study in Australia permanently.
• Medicare: Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare system, subject to Medicare enrolment requirements.
• Family Inclusion: Include eligible members of the family unit in the visa application, subject to the applicable requirements.
• Travel Facility: Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of visa grant. After the travel facility expires, a Resident Return visa may be required to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
• Pathway to Citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship if all separate citizenship eligibility requirements are met.
• Sponsoring Eligible Relatives: Permanent residents may be able to sponsor eligible relatives for certain Australian visas, subject to the requirements of the relevant visa program.
Subclass 186 requirements vary across the Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement streams. Applicants and employers must satisfy all applicable nomination, occupation, skills, experience, English, age, health and character requirements.
A positive skills assessment or approved nomination does not guarantee a visa grant. For visa advice, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
Migration laws, visa requirements, fees and processing times may change. Always check the Department of Home Affairs for current Subclass 186 information.
Number One Service Australia provides skills assessment support only. We are not a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner and do not provide migration or legal advice. For advice about your visa eligibility or application, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
Official information: Please click https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186
The Subclass 186 visa provides permanent residence for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer and meet all applicable requirements. As requirements vary across the three streams, applicants should check current Department of Home Affairs information and obtain regulated advice where necessary.
Number One Service Australia provides professional skills assessment support for applicants who require an assessment for their nominated occupation. Our services may include document review, application preparation support and technical interview training where applicable.
We are not a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner and do not provide migration or legal advice. For advice about visa eligibility, employer nomination or a visa application, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
