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The 186 visa—also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS visa)—is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently, either through the Direct Entry Stream, the Temporary Residence Transition Stream, or the Labour Agreement Stream.
If you’re wondering what is the 186 visa in Australia, this page outlines everything you need to know.
The subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa designed for skilled workers with a suitable job offer from an approved Australian business. This visa enables foreign workers to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia and eventually apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
There are three key streams under the visa subclass 186:
To qualify for the 186 visa Australia, applicants must meet the following criteria:
✅ Be nominated by an approved Australian employer
✅ Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
✅ Have competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
✅ Hold a suitable skills assessment (for Direct Entry)
✅ Meet health and character requirements
✅ If applying through TRT, have held a 482 visa and worked for the same employer
If you’re unsure which stream applies to your situation, we can guide you step-by-step.
This visa offers a number of key benefits, including:
The sc186 is one of the most popular permanent visa options for skilled professionals in industries such as healthcare, IT, construction, and education.
Employers must meet several obligations before nominating someone for the subclass 186 visa, including:
Our legal team assists businesses with sponsorship registration and compliance to ensure a smooth nomination process.
At Jade Immigration Lawyers, we specialise in permanent visa applications like the 186 visa. Whether you’re an employer looking to nominate a skilled worker or a professional ready to take the next step towards PR, we can help.
Speak with Jade Immigration Lawyers today – we’re here to help you find the best visa pathway.
📞 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation now to get personalised immigration advice from our experienced team. We assist clients across Australia and internationally.
Find answers to common questions about our Work Visa Australia services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
It is a permanent skilled migration visa that allows an Australian employer to sponsor a foreign worker to live and work permanently in Australia.
Yes, through the Direct Entry Stream, you can apply directly without holding a 482 visa.
Processing times vary between 5 to 10 months, depending on the stream and the completeness of your application.
Yes, generally you must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, though exemptions may apply.
Yes. You can include your spouse and dependent children when applying for the sc186 visa.