A permanent future
in Australia
The pathway to permanent residence through nomination by an Australian employer
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme, or ENS) is a permanent residence visa that allows skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a full-time, ongoing position to live and work in Australia indefinitely. For professionals with a job offer and the required qualifications and experience, it is one of the strongest ways to build a permanent future in Australia.
A Registered Migration Agent will review your enquiry and respond within one business day. If your matter is urgent, please call us on (08) 6555 7037.
Who this visa is for
- Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent position
- Professionals whose occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Those who meet the required qualifications, experience, age and English
- Those planning to live and work in Australia permanently
Eligibility depends on your occupation, your employer and current legislation, and is verified before proceeding.
Assess Your EligibilityEligibility criteria
A Subclass 186 application generally requires the following:
Employer nomination: You must be nominated by an Australian employer for a full-time, ongoing position.
Occupation and skills assessment: Your occupation must be on the relevant list, and you may need a positive skills assessment.
Qualifications and experience: You must hold the qualifications and work experience required for your occupation.
Age and English: You must meet the age and English requirements or qualify for an exemption.
Health and character: You must meet Australia's health and character standards.
Occupation lists and age, experience and English thresholds change over time; they are verified against current Department of Home Affairs sources for your circumstances.
Key benefits of the Subclass 186
Permanent residence: You and your family live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
Medicare and social entitlements: You gain access to Australia's health system and social security benefits.
Pathway to citizenship: After meeting the residence requirements, you may become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Stability: You build a long-term future without the uncertainty of temporary visas.
These benefits are general in nature, and no visa or citizenship outcome is guaranteed.
How we manage your application, step by step
We assess your occupation, experience and goals and determine the most suitable pathway to permanent residence.
We clarify your occupation's status and the nomination and skills-assessment requirements.
We prepare your qualification, experience, age, English, health and character documents in full.
We manage the nomination and visa stages accurately through ImmiAccount.
We monitor progress and respond promptly to any requests from the Department.
After approval, we support you with permanent residence and, in time, the pathway to citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
GENERAL What is the Subclass 186? +
SPONSOR Is employer nomination required? +
CONDITIONS What are the age, English and experience requirements? +
PERMANENT RESIDENCE Does this visa grant permanent residence directly? +
CITIZENSHIP Can it lead to citizenship? +
GENERAL Can I bring my family with me? +
GENERAL Do you guarantee my visa will be approved? +
Australian Migration Co is a private migration advisory firm. Immigration assistance is provided by a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418576) registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Australian Migration Co is not a government body and is not part of, or operated by, the Australian Government or the Department of Home Affairs. Visa applications can also be lodged directly with the Australian Government at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and some are free of charge; our services are provided for a fee. The information on this page is general in nature, does not constitute immigration advice and does not guarantee any visa outcome. Visa names, occupation lists, eligibility criteria, age and experience thresholds, visa periods and permanent residence pathways change over time and are verified against current sources before proceeding.