Australia’s Employer Nomination Scheme (Visa 186): The Complete Guide for Foreign Workers (2026)

Start here if you are a skilled worker with an Australian employer who wants to sponsor you for permanent residency. The Employer Nomination Scheme (Visa 186) is the main “sponsored” pathway to Australian PR, and this guide will explain exactly how it works.

Why read this? You will achieve three things:

1. Clarity: You will understand the crucial differences between the “Direct Entry” stream and the “Temporary Residence Transition” (TRT) stream.
2. Confidence: You will learn the 2026 requirements for age, skills, and experience for this employer-sponsored visa.
3. A Plan: You will discover the most common pathway: how to turn your temporary TSS (482) visa into permanent residency.

By the end of this guide, you will know how to work with your employer to secure your future in Australia. We will provide links to the official Home Affairs requirements for the Subclass 186 visa.

What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (Visa 186)?

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers. Unlike the points-tested 189 or 190 visas, this visa relies on an Australian employer nominating you for a position in their business.

It has two main streams for skilled workers:

• Direct Entry (DE) Stream: For applicants who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia. You apply directly from overseas or from Australia.
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: This is the “pathway” visa. It’s for workers who already hold a temporary skill-shortage visa (like the TSS 482 visa) and have worked for their employer for a set period.

The 2026 Requirements: Direct Entry vs. TRT Stream

The requirements are very different for each stream. Your employer must also be an approved business sponsor.

Direct Entry (DE) Stream Requirements:

You must meet these criteria at the time of application:

• Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
• Skills Assessment: You must have a positive, valid skills assessment from the relevant authority (e.g., VETASSESS, ACS).
• Work Experience: You must have at least 3 years of relevant post-qualification work experience.
• Age: You must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
• English: You must have at least “Competent” English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream Requirements:

This is the most common pathway. You must:

• Hold a TSS 482 Visa: Typically, you must have worked for your nominating employer full-time on a TSS (or older 457) visa for a specific period (e.g., 2-3 years, depending on your circumstances).
• Work in the Same Occupation: The PR nomination must be for the same occupation as your temporary visa.
• Age: You must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
• English: You must have at least “Competent” English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
• No Skills Assessment: In most cases, you do not need a new skills assessment for the TRT stream.

Step-by-Step: The Visa 186 Application Process

This is a two-part application, and your employer lodges the first part.

1. Employer Lodges Nomination: Your employer must first nominate you for the position with the Department of Home Affairs, proving the role is genuine and meets salary requirements.
2. You Lodge Visa Application: Once the nomination is lodged (or approved), you must lodge your visa application within 6 months. You must link your application to your employer’s nomination.
3. Health and Character Checks: You and all family members on the application must complete health and police checks.
4. Visa Grant: Once approved, you are granted permanent residency.

TSS 482 Visa vs. ENS 186 Visa: The Temporary to Permanent Pathway

This is the most important relationship to understand for employer-sponsored visas in Australia.

• TSS Visa (Subclass 482): This is a temporary visa. It allows you to come to Australia and work for your sponsor for 2 to 4 years. Think of it as “Step 1.”
• ENS Visa (Subclass 186): This is a permanent visa. The TRT stream of this visa is designed as “Step 2” for 482 visa holders.

Your long-term strategy is to get a TSS 482 visa, work diligently for your employer, and then use that work experience to apply for the 186 PR visa via the TRT stream. This is the clearest and most reliable employer-sponsored pathway to Australian permanent residency.

Conclusion: Your Next Step to Sponsored PR

The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) is the “grand prize” for sponsored workers. It turns your temporary job into a permanent future in Australia. Your relationship with your employer is the key to your success.

Your journey starts with a conversation. Talk to your employer or a MARA-registered agent about your eligibility for the TSS 482 visa as the first step on your path to the 186 permanent visa. Check the official immi.homeaffairs.gov.au website for the full occupation lists.