Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

Who it's for

Skilled workers whose employer wants to keep them permanently. Two main routes in:

• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream — for 482 holders who have worked with their sponsoring employer for the qualifying period (generally two years )
• Direct Entry stream — straight to permanent residence without a prior 482, with stricter skills-assessment and experience requirements

Key requirements

• Employer nomination of a genuine, ongoing position
• Under 45 at application, with limited exemptions
• Skills assessment (Direct Entry) or qualifying employment period (TRT)
• At least competent English
• Salary at or above the relevant income threshold and market rate
• Health and character requirements

Points/criteria table

Not points-tested. The gatekeeping criteria:

Criterion	TRT stream	Direct Entry
Prior 482 with employer	Required, qualifying period	Not required
Skills assessment	Generally not required	Required
Work experience	Via qualifying period	Minimum relevant years
Age	Under 45, exemptions	Under 45, exemptions

Process & timeline

1. Employer lodges the nomination
2. You lodge the visa application (can be lodged with the nomination)
3. Processing times vary by stream

Costs

Item	Typically paid by	Indicative amount
Nomination application	Employer	~AUD 540
Skilling Australians Fund levy (one-off)	Employer	AUD 3,000 (turnover under $10M) or AUD 5,000 (other)
Visa application charge — primary applicant	Applicant	AUD 6,140 (from 1 July 2026)
Skills assessment (Direct Entry stream)	Applicant	Varies by authority
English test	Applicant	₹19,000 (IELTS) / ₹18,900 (PTE)
Health examination	Applicant	₹5,000–8,000 per person (India panel clinic), or ~AUD 300–450 onshore
Police clearance certificates	Applicant	₹500 (India, PSK); ~AUD 50–60 (AFP, if applicable)

Amounts payable to Australian authorities and assessing bodies are in Australian dollars; costs incurred in India are shown in rupees. Figures are indicative, change periodically, and should be treated as a planning guide rather than a quote. Our advisory fees are separate — see Services & fees.

Common pitfalls

• Timing the TRT application without checking how periods of unpaid leave, role changes, or employer restructures affected the qualifying period
• Approaching 45 during the 482 period without planning for the age requirement at 186 stage — the exemptions are narrow
• Direct Entry applicants underestimating the skills assessment lead time
• The employer's business circumstances changing mid-application — the position must remain genuine and ongoing at decision

FAQ

Do I need my employer's cooperation? Yes — the nomination is the employer's application. If the employment relationship is uncertain, that risk should be factored into your planning.

Is 186 immediate permanent residence? Yes, from grant.

What if I've been with my employer on a 482 for less than the qualifying period? You wait, or you assess Direct Entry — the trade-offs differ by occupation and evidence. This is a consultation-level question.

Related visas

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)