EmployerNominationScheme—Subclass186

Under the current Temporary Residence Transition rules you need at least 2 years of full-time work for the same sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation, out of the 3 years immediately before you apply. The threshold was reduced from 3 years in November 2024.

Direct Entry has stricter front-end requirements: a positive skills assessment, 3 years of post-qualification experience and IELTS 6.0 in each band. TRT skips most of those because you have already proven yourself in the Australian workplace, but it takes 2 years to get there.

Yes. The 186 is permanent residence from the moment it is granted. There is no provisional stage, no further visa to apply for, and no condition tying you to a specific region, which is one of its main advantages over the 491.

Yes: once granted you hold permanent residence and are free to work for any Australian employer. You are expected to remain with the nominating employer for a reasonable period after grant, but there is no visa condition enforcing it.

The Skilling Australians Fund levy is paid by the nominating employer when the nomination is lodged. For the 186 it is AUD 3,000 for businesses with turnover under AUD 10 million, or AUD 5,000 for larger employers, paid as a one-off. Australian employers cannot lawfully pass this cost to the visa applicant.

Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants and receive permanent residence with you, including Medicare access and unrestricted work and study rights. Additional government charges apply for each family member.

Generally yes, at the time you apply. Exemptions exist for certain TRT applicants, high-income earners above the Fair Work high income threshold, and some academics and scientists. CMG checks whether an exemption applies to your circumstances.

Departmental processing times are indicative and move constantly. Current published figures are around 9 months for 75% of applications and around 22 months for 90%, across both the TRT and Direct Entry streams. Decision-ready applications with complete evidence tend to move faster. Confirm the live figures before you lodge.

Requirements depend on the visa stream, your circumstances and the evidence available. Start with identity, eligibility, health, character and sponsor or nomination checks before preparing the application. Always confirm the current rule with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The checklist depends on the pathway. Prepare identity documents, evidence for the eligibility test, supporting financial or relationship records where relevant, certified translations and any health or character documents requested. Always confirm the current rule with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The total cost can include a government application charge, secondary applicant charges, skills or English testing, health checks, police certificates, translations and professional fees. Charges change, so confirm the current government fee before lodging. Always confirm the current rule with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The timeline depends on preparation, application completeness, health and character checks, requests for further information, program limits and Department workload. Treat published processing times as estimates rather than guarantees. Always confirm the current rule with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.