How to get permanent residency in Australia through the subclass 186 visa
If your Australian employer is willing to nominate you for permanent residency, the Employer Nomination Scheme — or subclass 186 visa — could be your most direct path to living and working in Australia permanently. Here is what you need to know before you start.
What the subclass 186 visa actually gives you
This visa grants you permanent residence in Australia. That means no expiry date on your right to live and work there, and a foundation from which you can eventually apply for citizenship. Your employer does the nominating — you cannot apply without that sponsorship in place.
The basic eligibility requirements, as stated by the Department of Home Affairs, are straightforward:
- You must have the necessary skills for the job.
- You must be nominated by an Australian employer.
- You must meet health and character requirements.
Three streams — which one fits you?
The subclass 186 has three pathways, and choosing the right one depends on your situation.
Direct Entry stream. This is for skilled workers being nominated directly by an Australian employer, without needing prior work experience in Australia on a temporary visa. Your occupation must appear on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations, and you must have at least Competent English. The visa costs from AUD 4,910.00.
Temporary Residence Transition stream. This stream is for skilled workers who are already in Australia on a temporary visa and are being nominated by their current employer. The source page notes you must hold a subclass — the source material is cut off at that point and does not specify which subclass is required, so check the Department of Home Affairs page directly for the full detail.
Labour Agreement stream. This one applies if you work — or will work — for an employer who is party to a labour agreement with the Australian Government. The employer must have that agreement in place. Cost is also from AUD 4,910.00.
How many places are available — and who gets priority?
The ENS programme is not unlimited. For 2025–26, the Migration Programme planning level includes 44,000 places for subclass 186 visas, covering both primary and secondary visa grants.
Applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 105. The order of priority is:
- Applicants working in occupations carried out in a designated regional area.
- Applicants working in a healthcare or teaching occupation.
- Applicants nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
- All other applicants.
This matters for your timeline. If you are a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, or you are heading to regional Australia, your application moves faster.
How long will you wait?
The Department of Home Affairs does not guarantee processing times, but it publishes a guide based on when recently allocated applications were lodged. As of the information on the source page:
- Applications for designated regional area occupations: generally lodged in May 2025.
- Applications for healthcare or teaching occupations: generally lodged in May 2025.
- Applications nominated by an Accredited sponsor: generally lodged in March 2025.
- All other applications: generally lodged in June 2024.
Read that last line carefully. If you fall into the general category, applications being processed now were lodged over a year ago. Plan accordingly — and make sure your employer’s nomination and your own application are lodged correctly the first time.
The Department of Home Affairs states it is “unable to give a definitive timeframe for when an application will be assessed and finalised” — the figures above are a guide only and not specific to your application.
What to do next
Talk to your employer first. Without their nomination, there is no application. Then check whether your occupation appears on the eligible skilled occupations list and confirm which stream applies to your situation. Given the processing times involved, starting early is not optional — it is essential.
This is general information, not migration advice. For your specific case, consult a MARA-registered agent — find one in our directory.
First published by the Department of Home Affairs — Immigration and citizenship website. Read the full source at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186
