Secure Your Future in Australia with Permanent Residency
At Immigrad, our registered migration agents specialize in guiding skilled professionals and Australian employers through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa process – the most direct route to permanent residency through employer sponsorship.
Three Pathways to Permanent Residency
1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream Ideal for current 482 or 457 visa holders employed by their sponsoring business
2. Direct Entry Stream For qualified overseas workers with an Australian job offer
3. Labour Agreement Stream For occupations covered by formal industry labour agreements
Why the 186 Visa is Australia’s Premier Employer-Sponsored PR Visa
✅ PR on approval
✅ Work full time for sponsoring employer
✅ Sponsor your family
✅ Full support from start to finish
Current Eligibility Requirements
For Employees (Nominees)
✔ Age: Typically under 45 (certain exemptions apply)
✔ Occupation: Must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
✔ Experience:
1. TRT Stream: at least 2 years full-time with your sponsoring employer while holding a 457/482 visa
2. Direct Entry: 3+ years relevant work experience
✔ Skills Assessment: Mandatory for Direct Entry applicants
✔ Work Experience: At least 3 years of relevant experience
✔ English Proficiency: Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Employer Obligations
✔ Must be actively operating in Australia
✔ Demonstrate genuine need for the position
✔Meet Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) requirements (see below)
✔ Maintain clean compliance record
✔ Understanding the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
· Employers must pay the higher of the actual market rate for the position or the AMSR for the occupation — and at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026)
Official AMSR guidelines from Home Affairs
Our team provides comprehensive AMSR assessments including:
· Industry benchmarking
· Award wage analysis
· Geographic salary comparisons
· Documentation preparation
Why Immigrad Leads in 186 Visa Applications
1. Up-to-the-Minute Expertise
Our MARA-registered agents maintain current knowledge of all legislative changes, including the latest AMSR updates.
2. Comprehensive Application Management
We handle:
· Skills assessment coordination
· Employer nomination preparation
· Salary benchmarking documentation
· Complete visa application lodgement
3. Strategic Approach
We develop customized strategies to:
· Select the optimal application pathway
· Prepare compelling supporting evidence
· Minimize processing delays
· Present your strongest possible case
4. Proven Results
We prepare thorough, decision-ready applications and support you through every stage to the outcome.
Our Streamlined Application Process
1. Free Eligibility Assessment Personalized evaluation of your circumstances
2. Documentation Strategy Tailored checklist and preparation guidance
3. Application Preparation Meticulous compilation and review of all materials
4. Lodgement & Follow-up Professional submission and case management
Common Questions Answered
Q: How long does processing currently take?
A: Processing times vary and change regularly. Check the Department of Home Affairs visa processing time guide for a current indication, or ask us for an up-to-date assessment.
Q: Can my family join me on this visa?
A: Yes, your spouse/partner and dependent children can be included in your application.
Q: What if my occupation isn’t on the CSOL?
A: We can explore alternative visa pathways or state nomination options.
Q: How do you determine the correct market salary?
A: We use multiple authoritative sources including:
· Australian Bureau of Statistics data
· Industry award rates
· Professional salary surveys
· Comparable employment contracts
Begin Your Australian Permanent Residency Journey
Note: Immigration regulations change frequently. While we maintain current knowledge, we recommend verifying information with the Department of Home Affairs or consulting a registered migration agent.
Subclass 186 costs and salary requirements
How much does a subclass 186 visa cost?
The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa application charge is AUD 6,140 for the primary applicant in the Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement streams, with AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. The employer separately pays a nomination charge of AUD 540 and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Charges verified with the Department of Home Affairs on 6 September 2026.
What is the Skilling Australians Fund levy for a subclass 186 nomination?
For a subclass 186 nomination the Skilling Australians Fund levy is a one-off payment of AUD 3,000 where the sponsoring business has an annual turnover under AUD 10 million, and AUD 5,000 where turnover is AUD 10 million or more. The levy is payable in full when the nomination is lodged, is tax deductible, and must not be passed on to the visa applicant.
What salary must a subclass 186 nominee be paid?
Subclass 186 nominations lodged on or after 7 December 2024 must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold, which is AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. The nominee must also be paid the annual market salary rate for the occupation. Where the annual salary will be AUD 250,000 or more, the market salary rate requirement does not apply in the same way.
What is the difference between the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams?
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for workers already employed by their sponsoring business on a subclass 482 or former subclass 457 visa, typically after two years in the nominated occupation. The Direct Entry stream is for applicants applying from outside that arrangement, and generally requires a skills assessment and at least three years of relevant work experience.
Related pages
- All employer-sponsored visas
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
- Subclass 494 regional pathway
- Sponsor a worker cost calculator
This page is general information only and does not take your circumstances into account. Complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent. Immigrad is operated by Oceans Consultancy Pty Ltd; Gaurav Duggal, MARN 1805710. Contact Immigrad.