Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme

This visa pathway allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to permanently live and work in Australia.

Who may apply for this visa?

The applicant’s occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) to be eligible or an applicant is a holder of a subclass 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa.

This permanent resident visa has three streams.

1. Direct Entry Stream

To be eligible for this stream, the applicant must meet the following:

• Be nominated by an Australian employer;
• Be under 45 years of age unless exempted;
• Be nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL);
• Have at least 3 years relevant work experience in their nominated occupation unless exempt;
• Have the necessary license, registration or membership if required in the occupation;
• Have a positive skills assessment before lodging the application;
• Have at least competent English; and
• Meet the health and character requirements.

The sponsoring employer must also meet the following requirements:

• Be actively and lawfully operating in Australia;
• Offer the annual market salary rate and employment conditions not less favourable than the conditions that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• Position must be full-time, ongoing and available for at least 2 years;
• Provide proof to have a genuine need for a paid employee;
• Pay the required Skilling Australian Funds (SAF) levy at the nomination stage. The current Skilling Australian Funds levy are as follows:

2. Temporary Residence Transition Stream

This visa pathway allows Australian employers to sponsor employees who have been working in the business for at least 2 years as holders of subclass 482 or 457 visa to permanently live and work in Australia. To be eligible for this stream, the applicant must meet the following:

To be eligible for this stream, the applicant must meet the following:

• Be nominated by an Australian employer;
• Be under 45 years of age unless exempted;
• Have 2 years eligible sponsored employment in Australia within the 3 years prior to the application;
• Have been working full-time as a holder of Subclass 482 or Subclass 457 or eligible bridging visa;
• Have undertaken in an occupation for which a subclass 482 or 475 was granted;
• Have the necessary license, registration or membership if required in the occupation;
• Have been nominated by the last employer who sponsored you for temporary residency;
• Have at least competent English; and
• Meet the health and character requirements.

The sponsoring employer must also meet the following requirements:

• Be actively and lawfully operating in Australia;
• Be the applicant’s current sponsor;
• Have a skilled position that is listed on ANZSCO and be the same occupation as the most recently approved nomination for the applicant;
• Position must be full-time, ongoing and available for at least 2 years;
• Pay the required Skilling Australian Funds (SAF) levy at the nomination stage. The current Skilling Australian Funds levy are as follows:

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This permanent visa allows Australian employer who is a party to a labour agreement with the Australian Government to sponsor skilled workers to permanently live and work in Australia. To be eligible, the applicant must meet the age, skills and English language requirements of the labour agreement and the following.

To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following:

• Be nominated by an Australian employer;
• Holder of Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa under the Labour Agreement Stream.
• Be aged of under 45 years unless exempted;
• Have the necessary license, registration or membership if required in the occupation; and
• Meet the health and character requirements.

For employers, the following requirements must be met:

• Be actively and lawfully operating in Australia;
• Be a party to a labour agreement;
• No adverse information known;
• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy;
• Have complied with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws;
• Have a current Labour Agreement; and
• Have met any nomination requirements specified in the agreement.

What can I do with this visa?

• Work full-time for the sponsoring employer;
• Study in Australia;
• Include members of your family unit; and
• Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.