ENS Working Visa Subclass 186
Australia's employer-sponsored permanent visa. Check your eligibility in minutes. Our immigration lawyers guide you from application to approval.
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What is the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186?
The Subclass 186 is Australia’s employer-sponsored permanent visa. Unlike the Subclass 482, which is temporary, the 186 grants you permanent residency in Australia from the day it is granted.
Are you eligible for the Subclass 186?
The right pathway depends on your situation. Most applicants come through either the Temporary Residence Transition stream - already in Australia on a 482 - or the Direct Entry stream, open to skilled workers from both onshore and overseas.
Find your stream below, then check the requirements.
TRT Stream - already on a 482?
- Hold or have held a Subclass 482 (or legacy 457) visa.
- Worked for your nominating employer for at least 2 of the last 3 years in the nominated occupation (effective 29 November 2025).
- Employer must be or become an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
- Under 45 at time of application (with exemptions for academics, researchers, and medical practitioners in regional areas).
- Competent English: IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0), or equivalent PTE / TOEFL / OET / Cambridge.
- No separate skills assessment required.
- Be licensed, registered or a member of a professional body only if it is mandatory in the state or territory you intend to work in.
Direct Entry Stream - coming from overseas?
- Have a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian body.
- Have at least 3 years of full-time, post-qualification work experience in the nominated occupation.
- Occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- Under 45 at time of application (same exemptions apply).
- Competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
- Employer does not need to be a pre-registered Standard Business Sponsor.
- Be licensed, registered or a member of a professional body only if it is mandatory in the state or territory you intend to work in.
Labour Agreement - Employer holds an agreement?
Eligibility terms are set by your employer's individual Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. Matilda can advise.
What the Employer Nomination Scheme visa 186 gives you
- Permanent residency from day one. The 186 grants permanent residency immediately - not a temporary-to-permanent pathway. You can live and work anywhere in Australia from the date of grant.
- Medicare and full resident rights. Access to Australia's public health system, enrol children in schools at domestic rates, and access government services with no temporary visa conditions.
- Bring your family. Partner and dependent children apply as secondary applicants for permanent residency on the same grant.
- Five-year travel facility.Travel in and out of Australia freely for five years from the grant date. A Resident Return Visa then maintains re-entry rights.
- A clear path to Australian citizenship. You qualify for citizenship if you have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying, held a permanent visa or Special Category Visa (SCV) for the preceding 12 months, and were absent from Australia for no more than 12 months total during those 4 years - including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying.
Your complete 186 visa application, handled end to end
The Subclass 186 involves two separate applications: the nomination (employer side) and the visa (worker side). Matilda manages both. No hand-offs. No checklists posted back to you.
Eligibility check
Confirm your stream (TRT or Direct Entry), employer qualification, and any age or English requirements.
Agent consult
1:1 with the agent who will handle your case from start to finish.
Nomination
Salary assessment, genuine position evidence, SAF levy calculation, and nomination lodgement.
Visa application
Your personal documents, skills assessment coordination (Direct Entry), and English evidence compiled and lodged by Matilda.
Grant management
DHA correspondence handled by your agent. We liaise with the Department on your behalf.
Post-grant support
Once you hold your 186, Matilda can advise on your citizenship pathway when you're eligible.
Get your visa!
Why our clients choose Matilda for their ENS Visa 186
Experienced immigration lawyers
Not generalists - your case is handled by immigration lawyers who specialise in employer sponsorship, with hands on 186 experience.
We build the entire case file
Sponsorship application, nomination documents, salary assessment, and visa application - prepared and lodged by Matilda.
We track policy changes
The TRT qualifying period changed from three years to two in November 2025. We applied that update immediately. Your application reflects current requirements, not last year's guidance.
4.9 stars from 90+ Google reviews
Across every visa type Matilda handles - employer-sponsored, partner, and more. Real clients, verified reviews.
We are your central contact point.
We liaise with your employer and handle all correspondence with the Department on your behalf.
Unlimited support.
If your situation is complicated, speak with our agents to find the pathway that works best for you.
Trades and occupations eligible for the 186 visa
Hospitality & Food Service
Chefs and head chefs are among the most sponsored occupations in Australia - Matilda handles more 482 applications for this industry than any other. Cooks and bakers also eligible.
Automotive & Mechanical Trades
Motor mechanics and automotive technicians are a high-volume employer sponsorship pathway. Matilda works with individual applicants and businesses that rely on skilled mechanics.
Construction & Trades
Carpenters, electricians, and plumbers are government-priority occupations under the Core Skills stream - consistently among the highest-demand roles in residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction.
Healthcare
Registered nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, and allied health professionals. AHPRA assessments managed as part of the Matilda application process.
Aged Care & Disability Support
Aged care workers and disability support workers - private and not-for-profit providers. Matilda understands the sector-specific sponsorship requirements.
Professional Services
Accountants, engineers, architects, and IT professionals. Many roles qualify under the Specialist Skills stream - Matilda advises on which stream applies and manages the application accordingly.
Client success stories
Mitch & Mel
Partner Visa
(subclass 820)“Massive thanks to Matilda for making this entire process smooth, accessible and easy. We couldn't have done it without you."
James Wills
Employer
(482 Nomination)"We knew we wanted to hire overseas talent but didn't know where to start. Matilda saved us a lot of time and stress."
Our pricing is always transparent
Let’s break down the the key differences of what’s available for you.
All prices below are in AUD and inclusive of GST.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Subclass 186 application take?
Processing times vary by stream. For decision-ready applications: Direct Entry typically takes 12–18 months (50–90th percentile); TRT stream is similar at 13–18 months; Labour Agreement stream is faster at 4–9 months. The Department publishes current estimates on its website. Matilda gives you a realistic timeline at your first consult based on current DHA workloads.
Can I apply for the 186 while I'm still on a 482 visa?
Yes - and that is the most common scenario for the TRT stream. You apply for the 186 while you are still holding your 482 (or while it is in the bridging visa period). You do not need to wait until your 482 expires. Matilda advises on the ideal lodgement timing to maintain your lawful status throughout the process.
What changed with the TRT stream in November 2025?
On 29 November 2025, the minimum qualifying work period for the TRT stream was reduced from three years to two years with your sponsoring employer. At the same time, a rule was clarified: only employment completed while actively sponsored by an approved sponsor counts toward the two years. Matilda's agents applied this update immediately - if you were previously told you needed three years, you may now be eligible sooner.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 186?
It depends on the stream. TRT stream applicants do not need a separate skills assessment - the 482 process already covered occupational qualification. Direct Entry stream applicants must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body (e.g. Trades Recognition Australia, ANMAC, Engineers Australia) dated no more than three years before application. Matilda coordinates the skills assessment as part of the Direct Entry case file.
What English level do I need for the 186?
Both TRT and Direct Entry streams require Competent English. For the TRT stream: IELTS overall 6.0 with no individual band below 5.0 (or equivalent PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge). For the Direct Entry stream: IELTS 6.0 in each component (or equivalent). Exemptions apply in limited circumstances - Matilda confirms whether you qualify at your eligibility check.
What does my employer have to do?
Your employer submits a nomination application identifying the position and committing to pay at least the CSIT salary ($76,515/yr for 2025–26, rising to $79,499 from 1 July 2026) and the Annual Market Salary Rate - whichever is higher. They pay the SAF levy. For the TRT stream, they must hold approved Standard Business Sponsor status. Matilda manages nomination documentation and DHA correspondence on your employer's behalf - they do not navigate the process alone.
Does the 186 tie me to my employer permanently?
No. The Subclass 186 is a permanent visa and does not include a legal obligation to remain with your nominating employer. There is an expectation of genuine employment at the time of application, and the nomination is for a genuine ongoing role - but once granted, you are free to change employers. This is one of the key advantages of the 186 over the 482.
Can I apply for the 186 from outside Australia?
Yes. The Direct Entry stream is available to applicants offshore. You do not need to be in Australia when you apply or when the visa is decided. The TRT stream requires you to have been employed by your nominating employer while in Australia (on your 482 or 457), but the application can be lodged onshore or offshore. Matilda advises on the implications for your situation.
What happens to my family on the 186?
Partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. They receive permanent residency on the same grant date. Secondary applicants have full work and study rights in Australia. The visa application charges for family members are $2,455 per adult and $1,230 per child under 18.
Ready to start your Subclass 186 application?
Matilda's immigration lawyers handle Employer Nomination Scheme applications end-to-end - nomination and visa, employer side and worker side. Find out where you stand in under five minutes.
