Employer Sponsored
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
Permanent residence through your employer's nomination. Three streams serve new hires, sponsored 482 workers and labour agreement employees.
Requirements
What the 186 asks of you.
Across every stream the position must be genuine, full-time, paid at the market rate and available for at least two years from grant.
Direct Entry stream
For workers nominated without a qualifying period of sponsored work in Australia. It asks for the equivalent of three years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation, part-time counted pro rata, a positive skills assessment, an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, and age under 45 at application unless an exemption applies.
Temporary Residence Transition stream
For 482 holders, including those who came through the former TSS and 457 visas. You must have held the visa and worked full-time in the nominated occupation with your employer for at least two of the three years before applying. A skills assessment is generally not required, and the under-45 rule applies unless you are exempt.
Labour Agreement stream
For workers nominated under their employer's labour agreement with the Commonwealth. The agreement sets the qualifying period, English level and any concessions, and the position must be one the agreement covers.
How labour agreements workEnglish, health and character
Competent English for Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition applicants, any licensing or registration the occupation requires, and health and character checks for everyone included in the application.
The pathway
How we run your 186.
Eligibility assessment
Stream choice comes first. Your visa history, experience and age are tested against Direct Entry, TRT and any labour agreement before anything is lodged.
Skills assessment
For Direct Entry, your skills assessment is prepared and lodged with your occupation's assessing authority before the visa application goes in.
Nomination
Your employer's nomination is lodged with genuine position, salary and business evidence.
Visa application
Lodged decision-ready with the nomination or within six months of its approval. The visa is permanent on grant.
General information only, not immigration advice. Your circumstances matter. Visa requirements, fees and processing times change regularly. Facts on this page last reviewed 15 July 2026. Check current details with the Department of Home Affairs , or speak with us for advice on your situation. Website terms.
Begin with a conversation.
Speak with a MARA-registered migration agent in Melbourne about your pathway. Book a time that suits you.