Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme:
Permanent Residency in Brisbane
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. For many Brisbane professionals, it is the destination at the end of the employer-sponsored journey: full permanent residency, with the right to live and work in Australia indefinitely. Nationwide Migration and Education's Brisbane migration agents help workers and employers choose the right 186 stream and prepare a strong application.
What Is the Subclass 186 Visa?
The 186 is a permanent employer-sponsored visa. Once granted, there is no expiry on your right to remain in Australia. The travel facility lasts 5 years and is renewed via a Resident Return Visa. It has three streams:
Temporary Residence Transition
For workers who have held a 482 or 457 visa with their sponsor
Direct Entry
For workers who have not been sponsored long-term on a 482 or 457
Labour Agreement
For workers sponsored under a labour agreement
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
If you have been working in Australia on a 482 (or 457) visa, the TRT stream is usually your route to PR. Since the rules changed on 25 November 2023, you qualify if you meet all of the following:
Residence and Employment
- Held a 457 or 482 visa for at least 2 of the 3 years immediately before applying
- Worked in the occupation last nominated for that visa for at least 2 of those 3 years
- Worked in the nominated occupation for the required period (employer changes are permitted)
Personal Requirements
- Under 45 at the time of application (limited exemptions apply)
- Competent English: generally IELTS 6.0 in each band
- Passport exemption for UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland holders
Direct Entry (DE) Stream
The DE stream suits skilled workers who have not done the 2-year temporary visa pathway. You generally need to meet all of the following:
Core Skills Occupation List
Must be nominated in an occupation on the CSOL, or qualify under the Specialist Skills criteria
3 Years Full-Time Work
At least 3 years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation
All Direct Entry Requirements
- Nominated in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List
- Under 45 at the time of application (limited exemptions apply)
- Positive skills assessment for your occupation (unless exempt)
- At least 3 years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation
- Competent English
- Meet health and character requirements
482 to 186: Timing Your PR Move
The most common Brisbane pathway is 482 Skills in Demand to 186 TRT after 2 years. Planning this early, ideally when you first apply for the 482, avoids costly delays.
Get Your 482 Visa
Start on the Skills in Demand temporary visa with your sponsoring employer
Work 2 of 3 Years
Work in the nominated occupation for 2 of the 3 years before applying (employer changes are permitted)
Lodge the 186 TRT
Your employer nominates you and you apply for permanent residency
Permanent Residency
Once granted, the right to live and work in Australia indefinitely
Key rule: You must have worked in the nominated occupation for at least 2 of the 3 years before applying. Employer changes during this period are permitted.
What the Employer Must Do
A 186 nomination requires the Australian employer to meet specific obligations before the visa can be granted.
Genuine Position
Identify a genuine, full-time position likely to exist for at least 2 years.
Salary Requirements
Pay at or above the market salary rate and the TSMIT threshold. $76,515 for nominations lodged before 1 July 2026, rising to $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
Nomination Fee and SAF Levy
Pay the nomination fee and the one-off SAF levy. The levy amount depends on business turnover.
No Adverse Information
Have no adverse information and engage in non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
We Help Both Workers and Employers
For Workers
- We assess your eligibility for TRT or Direct Entry
- We prepare your full application including skills assessments, English tests, health checks, and police clearances
- We liaise with your employer to ensure the nomination is correct
- We track your application and keep you updated at every stage
For Employers
- We prepare the employer nomination application
- We ensure you meet your sponsorship obligations
- We handle the paperwork so your business is not disrupted
- We advise on salary thresholds, the SAF levy, and genuine position requirements
Why Nationwide Migration and Education in Brisbane?
Registered Migration Agents
Suman Dua, MARN 1800859, bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
We Map the Full Pathway
From your first sponsored visa through to permanent residency, we guide every step.
TRT vs Direct Entry
We help you choose the right stream correctly the first time, avoiding costly mistakes.
Brisbane-Based
On top of the latest rule changes and always accessible to our Brisbane clients.
What Our Clients Say
The personalised services made us feel special and cared about. You made us stress free and took away our worries.
Your professionalism made this journey smooth and stress-free. You have played a pivotal role in this significant milestone.
It was a soft journey for me. They looked after the end to end process on behalf of me.
Our Google Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Subclass 186 ENS is a permanent visa. Once granted, you can live and work in Australia indefinitely. The travel facility lasts 5 years and is renewed via a Resident Return Visa.
Through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. You need to work for your sponsor in the same occupation for 2 of the 3 years before applying.
TRT is for workers who have held a 482 or 457 visa and worked in the nominated occupation for the required period. Employer changes are permitted. No skills assessment is required in most cases. Direct Entry requires an occupation on the CSOL, a skills assessment, and 3 years of experience.
You generally need to be under 45 at the time of application, with limited exemptions for certain academics, high-income earners, and some 444 or 461 workers.
Competent English is required, which generally means IELTS 6.0 in each band. There is a passport exemption if you hold a UK, USA, Canadian, NZ or Irish passport.
Government fees and thresholds are current as at 1 July 2025 and subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute personal migration advice.
Talk to a Brisbane
Employer-Sponsored Visa Specialist
With policies and allocations changing across states, clear guidance is essential.
Whether you are sponsoring talent or seeking sponsorship, our Brisbane team manages the full process and plans your pathway to permanent residency.
Contact
Phone: +61 7 37265183
Email: [email protected]
Address: 320 Adelaide St Brisbane QLD 4000
Nationwide Migration and Education
(Appointment-only service in all our offices)
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