186 Labour Agreement Visa – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) PR Pathway

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What is the 186 Labour Agreement Visa?

The 186 Labour Agreement Visa (Employer Nomination Scheme via Labour Agreement stream) offers permanent residency (PR) to skilled workers sponsored by Australian employers who have a formal labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
This stream is ideal for workers progressing from a 482 labour agreement visa or for those nominated directly under a DAMA, industry, or company-specific agreement.

Who Can Use the Labour Agreement 186 Visa?

Employers with an active Labour Agreement (Industry, DAMA, Company, Project, or other)
Workers who have worked on a 482 or 494 labour agreement visa for the required period, or are directly nominated for a permanent position covered by the agreement

Key Features & Benefits

Permanent residency for the worker and eligible family members
Pathway from 482 or 494 Labour Agreement visas (typically after 2–3 years, depending on your agreement)
Access to occupations, salary, English, and age concessions not available in standard 186 streams
Suited to regional, industry, or specialised business needs

Eligibility Criteria

For Employers:

Must have a valid Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs
Offer a full-time, permanent position in an eligible occupation under the agreement
Meet all sponsorship, compliance, and pay requirements

For Workers:

Be nominated for a position covered by the Labour Agreement
Meet skill, qualification, and experience requirements as specified in the agreement
Meet English language requirements (may have concessions)
Have worked for the employer on a 482 or 494 labour agreement visa for the required period (usually 3 years; 2 years for some chefs/cooks in the restaurant agreement)
Be under the age limit (usually 45, but up to 55 for some agreements)
Pass health and character checks

Key Concessions

Labour Agreement 186 visas can include:

Wider occupation access: Not limited to the standard ENS list
English language concessions: Lower requirements than standard stream
Salary (TSMIT/CSIT) concessions: Especially for regional/industry shortages
Age concessions: Some workers can be up to 55 years old at time of application
Skills/qualification concessions: Recognition of alternative experience or training

Check your specific Labour Agreement for details.

Transition from 482 Labour Agreement to 186 Visa

Most workers must complete at least 3 years of full-time work on a 482 (labour agreement stream) visa before being eligible for the 186 PR nomination (some agreements, e.g. restaurant for chefs/cooks, may allow transition after 2 years)
Ongoing employment must be in the nominated occupation and with the same employer/sponsor

Always check your specific Labour Agreement or get expert advice.

Application Process

Employer holds an approved Labour Agreement with PR pathway
Nominate the eligible worker for the 186 Labour Agreement stream
Worker applies for the 186 visa with all supporting documents (skills, experience, English, health, character)
Visa grant = Permanent residency for worker and eligible family

Need Help With the 186 Labour Agreement Visa?

Our expert team helps you:

Plan PR pathways for sponsored staff
Navigate all labour agreement requirements
Complete documentation and support at every stage

🚀 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Related Pages & Further Reading

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Practice Areas

FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our Labour Agreement services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.

Can any occupation be nominated for the 186 Labour Agreement visa?

Only those occupations specifically listed in your Labour Agreement.

What’s the main difference from the standard 186?

Labour Agreement stream allows for extra concessions and occupations, and is only available to employers with a signed agreement.

How long do I need to work on a 482 LA visa before applying?

Usually 3 years; some industry agreements allow for 2 years.

Can family members be included?

Yes, partners and dependants are included in PR.

Is there an age concession?

Some agreements allow nomination up to 55 years.