186 Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – Temporary Residence Transition stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Employer Nomination Scheme 186
Stream	Temporary Residence Transition
Purpose	Permanent employer-sponsored skilled migration
Stay	Permanent
Cost	From AUD6,140
Eligibility timing	Apply within six months
Work rights	Work in Australia indefinitely
Study	Study in Australia
Medicare	May enrol in Medicare
Travel facility	Five years from grant
Citizenship	May apply if eligible
Family sponsorship	Sponsor eligible relatives
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Location when applying	Inside or outside Australia
Age	Usually under 45
English	Competent English required

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Purpose

The Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) lets skilled workers nominated by their current employer live and work in Australia permanently.

Key eligibility

You must:

• Be the primary holder of a subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa, or an eligible bridging visa where your last substantive visa was a subclass 457 or 482.
• Have an approved nomination from the employer that last sponsored you for full-time work on your subclass 457 or 482 visa.
• Apply within 6 months after nomination approval.
• Have worked in eligible sponsored employment for a total of 2 years in the 3 years immediately before applying.
• Have the skills and qualifications required for the nominated occupation. A skills assessment may be requested.
• Hold any mandatory state or territory licence, registration or professional membership.
• Usually be under 45 when applying.
• Have at least Competent English.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Sign an Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or over.
• Have repaid Australian Government debts, or have a formal repayment arrangement.

The Department considers immigration history. A prior visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.

Eligible sponsored employment

The required 2 years of employment must be:

• Full-time.
• Undertaken in Australia.
• Completed while holding a subclass 457, subclass 482 or eligible bridging visa.
• In an occupation approved under your subclass 457 or 482 visa.

Employment under multiple eligible subclass 457 or 482 visas may count. If you changed employers, employment may count from the date the approved nomination was lodged where you began work before its approval.

Age exemptions

You may be exempt from the age requirement if you are:

• An academic nominated by an Australian university.
• A scientist, researcher or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2, nominated by an Australian scientific government agency or university.
• A medical practitioner who meets the specified regional-work requirements.
• A subclass 457 or 482 holder who meets the 2-year employment requirement and earned at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold in each relevant year.

If you held, or had applied for and were later granted, a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017, you may apply if under 50.

Stay and rights

This is a permanent visa. You become a permanent resident on the visa grant date.

You can:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely.
• Work and study in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Sponsor eligible relatives.
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from grant.

Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits.

For citizenship purposes, permanent residence starts:

• On grant, if you are in Australia.
• On entry to Australia using this visa, if granted outside Australia.

Family provisions

You can include family members when applying, or add them before a decision is made.

Eligible family members include:

• Your partner.
• Your dependent child or stepchild.
• Your partner’s dependent child or stepchild.
• A dependent child or stepchild of an eligible dependent child or stepchild.

A subclass 457 or 482 holder granted that visa as your family member may be included only when you lodge your application.

Family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. Family members not applying may also need to meet requirements.

Dependent applicants aged 18 or over must show Functional English or pay the second instalment charge.

Cost

The main applicant charge is AUD6,140. Charges also apply for each family member included.

A second instalment of AUD4,890 applies to each family member aged 18 or over who has less than Functional English. The Department invoices this after all other requirements are met.

Other possible costs include:

• Health examinations.
• Police certificates.
• Biometrics.
• Skills assessments.

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste may receive a lower visa charge. Eligibility is based on the primary applicant’s valid passport.

Where to apply

You may be in or outside Australia when applying, but not in immigration clearance.

If applying in Australia, you must hold:

• A substantive visa; or
• A Bridging visa A, B or C.

You may be in or outside Australia when the decision is made.

Required documents

Provide clear colour scans or photographs of all documents. Non-English documents must include English translations.

Documents may include:

• Passport identity pages and evidence of any name change.
• Evidence of required licensing, registration or professional membership.
• Skills assessment, if requested.
• Evidence of eligible sponsored employment, including employment contracts, payslips, PAYG payment summaries and leave records.
• Evidence supporting an age exemption, if applicable.
• Evidence of Competent English.
• Australian Federal Police National Police Certificate, if required.
• Overseas police certificates for countries where you spent 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16.
• Military service records or discharge papers, if applicable.
• Family identity, relationship, dependency and character documents.
• Form 1229 or consent evidence for children under 18 where required.
• Form 47a for dependent family members aged 18 or over.

English test results must be issued no more than 3 years before application and received before lodgement.

Application steps

1. Ensure your employer lodges a nomination and obtain its Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
2. Gather supporting documents and arrange English testing if needed.
3. Create or log in to ImmiAccount.
4. Lodge the visa application online, attach documents and pay the application charge.
5. Keep the application TRN.
6. Respond promptly to any requests for health examinations, biometrics, skills assessment or further information.

You do not need to wait for nomination approval before lodging the visa application, but the nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.

Processing

Use the Department’s visa processing time guide for recently decided applications. It is an indication only.

Processing may take longer if the application is incomplete, documents are missing, further information is required, or information needs verification.

The Department does not provide status updates for applications within standard processing times.

Obligations and conditions

You and included family members must obey Australian laws.

The Department expects you to work for the nominating employer for at least 2 years.

You must begin employment within 6 months of:

• Entering Australia, if granted outside Australia; or
• The grant date, if granted in Australia.

Tell the Department about changes to your contact details, passport, relationship status or the birth of a child.

If you make an error in your application, notify the Department using Form 1023.

Travel

You may travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from visa grant.

After the travel facility ends, you need a Resident Return visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Leaving after the travel facility expires without another valid permanent-visa travel facility may prevent return as a permanent resident.

Check your travel facility in VEVO.

Important warnings

• The visa cannot be granted if the nomination is withdrawn, the position is no longer available, or adverse information about the nominator cannot reasonably be disregarded.
• A new nomination cannot be linked to an existing visa application. You may need to withdraw and lodge a new application.
• If applying in Australia, remain lawful by holding a valid visa. You may be granted a bridging visa while the application is processed.
• If you travel while your application is being processed, ensure you have a valid visa to return.
• The visa application charge is not refunded if the application is refused.
• Visa sponsorship must not involve an exchanged benefit; criminal and civil penalties may apply.
• The visa is digitally linked to your passport; no passport label is issued.