Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) – Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry stream allows eligible skilled workers nominated by an actively operating Australian employer to live and work in Australia permanently.
Subclass 186 Direct Entry is a permanent employer-nominated visa. The nominated occupation, applicant's skills and experience, and employer's genuine position must independently satisfy all stream requirements.
What is the Direct Entry Stream?
The Direct Entry stream is designed for skilled workers who meet permanent visa requirements without relying on the sponsored-employment period required by the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Applicants can be in or outside Australia when applying, subject to valid onshore application rules.
A successful applicant becomes an Australian permanent resident and can live, work and study indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
Key benefits of Subclass 186
Key eligibility requirements
You must be nominated by an Australian employer that is actively and lawfully operating for a genuine position in an occupation on the current Core Skills Occupation List. The position and employment terms must satisfy nomination, salary and workplace requirements.
Most applicants must be under 45 at application, hold a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation, have at least three years of relevant work experience, and demonstrate Competent English. Limited exemptions apply to specified applicants.
How the Direct Entry process works
Assess the occupation and position
Confirm CSOL eligibility, duties, salary, genuine vacancy and employer nomination requirements.
Complete skills and English evidence
Obtain a valid positive skills assessment and qualifying English result before visa lodgement where required.
Employer lodges nomination
The employer submits evidence of the business, genuine role, market salary and employment arrangements.
Lodge the visa application
Use the nomination TRN to submit skills, experience, English, health, character and family evidence.
Begin permanent employment
After grant, commence the nominated role within the required period and maintain a genuine employment relationship.
Skills assessment and work experience
Most applicants need a suitable skills assessment issued by the relevant assessing authority before applying. It generally must be no more than three years old, or within any shorter validity period stated by the assessing authority. A skills assessment obtained only for Subclass 485 is not accepted.
Unless exempt, most applicants need at least three years of relevant employment in their occupation. Detailed employer references, payslips, tax records, contracts and other independent evidence may be needed to establish the required skilled experience.
Employer nomination requirements
The nominating employer must be actively and lawfully operating and offer a genuine position that is expected to be available for at least two years. Salary and employment conditions must meet applicable thresholds, market salary requirements and Australian workplace law.
The visa application can be lodged once the nomination has been submitted and a Transaction Reference Number is available. If the nomination is approved first, the visa application must be made within six months of that approval.
Age, English and registration
Applicants generally must be under 45 at the time of application and have at least Competent English. Adult dependent applicants should demonstrate Functional English or a second visa application charge may apply.
Where state or territory law requires occupational licensing, registration or professional membership, the applicant must hold it or meet the relevant requirements for the nominated position.
Employment after visa grant
The applicant must genuinely intend to work in the nominated position, and the employer must genuinely intend to employ them. The Department expects the visa holder to work for the nominating employer for at least two years and to commence within six months of entry when granted overseas or within six months of grant when in Australia.
Important Direct Entry Requirements
- Be nominated for an eligible occupation by a lawful Australian employer.
- Hold a valid positive skills assessment unless exempt.
- Show at least three years of relevant experience unless exempt.
- Be under 45 at application unless an age exemption applies.
- Demonstrate Competent English unless exempt.
- Maintain a genuine intention to work in the nominated role.
- Meet health, character and Australian Values requirements.
Including family members
Eligible partner and dependent children can be included. Applicants and relevant family members must meet health and character requirements, and relationship and dependency evidence must be provided.
Documents commonly required
Documents can include passport and civil records, nomination TRN, employment contract, position and salary evidence, skills assessment, qualifications, licences, detailed work references, English results, police certificates, health examinations, relationship evidence and dependent documents.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can assess Direct Entry eligibility, review the occupation and employer position, prepare nomination and visa checklists, assess skills and work evidence, and assist through employer nomination and permanent visa lodgement.