Direct Entry Stream
If you have been nominated by your employer, your nomination application has been approved, and you meet the following criteria, you may be able to apply for the ENS Subclass 186 Visa Direct Entry Stream:
Relevant Occupation
Your occupation must be on the approved Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 skilled occupations list.
Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of visa application lodgement unless you are exempt.
Work Experience
You are required to have a minimum of three years’ worth of experience working in the relevant occupation.
Skills Assessment
You must have the necessary skills to perform the job. To meet this criterion, you must have your skills assessed by an authorised assessing authority and you must obtain a positive skills assessment outcome. The skill assessment requirement varies depending on the occupation.
If you need assistance with the skills assessment for subclass 186, Direct Entry Stream, please contact us.
English Language
Competent English language requirements for subclass 186 visa applications are mandatory and must be met at the time of application.
The English test is waived for applicants with passports from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland. For more information on the English language requirement, please visit this page.
Application Process
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) application procedure consists of two steps: nomination and visa application.
Step 1: Employer Nomination Application
Applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer, and the nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL occupation list. The Australian employer must meet all of the conditions outlined in the nomination application including the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Step 2: Visa Application
The second stage in the procedure is the visa application, and to apply for a subclass 186 visa, the applicant must have a valid nomination approval for the relevant occupation, which was nominated by the sponsor. Your visa application is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) either concurrently with the nomination application or within six months of the nomination’s approval by DOHA.
In addition to the main criterion, you also must fulfil the medical health and character check requirements.
TRT Stream
If you have been working for your employer on a subclass 457 or 482 TSS visa, your nomination application has been approved, and you meet the following requirements, you may be eligible to apply for a subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition Stream visa.
Current Visa
You must hold a subclass 457 or 482 TSS visa.
Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of visa application lodgement unless you are exempt.
Work Experience
You must have worked full-time for your employer on a subclass 457 or 482 visa for at least three years. If you held a subclass 457 visa on April 18, 2017, your employer must have sponsored you for full-time employment for at least two of the three years prior to your nomination application.
English Language
Competent English language requirements for subclass 186 visa applications are mandatory and must be met at the time of application.
The English test is waived for applicants with passports from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland. For more information on the English language requirement, please visit this page.
Application Process
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) application procedure consists of two steps: nomination and visa application.
Step 1: Employer Nomination Application
Applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer, and the nominated occupation must be on the relevant occupation list. The Australian employer must meet all of the conditions outlined in the nomination application including the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Step 2: Visa Application
The second stage in the procedure is the visa application, and to apply for a subclass 186 visa, the applicant must have a valid nomination approval for the relevant occupation, which was nominated by the employer. Your visa application is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) either concurrently with the nomination application or within six months of the nomination’s approval by DOHA.
In addition to the main criterion, you also must fulfil the medical health and character check requirements.
Labour Agreement Stream
To be eligible for the Labour Agreement Stream 186 visa, your employer must first nominate you, and your employer must hold one of the following labour agreements:
- Company Specific labour agreements
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
- Industry labour agreements
- Project agreements
Age Requirement
Unless otherwise specified in the labour agreement, you must be under the age of 45 at the time of lodgment.
Work Experience
You must be working for your employer on a subclass 457 or 482 visa or your work experience in accordance with your employer labour agreement.
English Language
You must have adequate English language skills. The labour agreement will provide guidelines on this.
The English requirement is waived for applicants with passports from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland. For more information on the English language requirement, please visit this page.
