Pathways / Subclass 186

Grants permanent residency

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Direct permanent residency through an Australian employer. No points test.

The 186 is permanent residency sponsored by an employer, and it is the fastest-growing part of the migration program - employer-sponsored permanent places rose 32% to 58,040 for 2026-27. There is no points test. The most common route is the Temporary Residence Transition stream, used by Skills in Demand (subclass 482) holders who have worked for their sponsor for two years.

Watch for thisThe TRT work requirement was reduced from three years to two in late 2025. If you are on a 482 and were planning around three years, recheck your timing - you may be eligible sooner than you think.
Grants
Permanent residence immediately
Points test
None
Main streams
Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, Labour Agreement
TRT requirement
2 years with your sponsoring employer on a 482
Age limit
Under 45 (exemptions apply)
Places 2026-27
58,040 employer-sponsored permanent

What you need

  • Be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a position in your occupation.
  • For TRT: have worked for that employer for at least two years while holding a subclass 482 or equivalent.
  • For Direct Entry: hold a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience.
  • Meet the English requirement (higher than the 482 - generally IELTS 6 in each band).
  • Be under 45 unless an exemption applies.
  • The salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold and market rates.

How it works, step by step

  1. Confirm the employer is, or can become, an approved sponsor.
  2. If you are on a 482, track your two years with that employer carefully.
  3. The employer lodges the nomination; you lodge the visa application.
  4. Prepare English test results early - the 186 bar is higher than the 482 bar.

Strengths

  • No points test
  • Fastest-growing part of the program
  • Permanent from grant
  • Age exemptions exist for some applicants

Trade-offs

  • You are dependent on one employer
  • Changing jobs can reset the two-year clock
  • Employer must be willing to sponsor and pay the costs
Check whether this fits you →

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the subclass 186 page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.