Direct Entry stream
For applicants applying for the 186 directly, usually from outside Australia or without having held a SID. Requires an occupation on the CSOL and at least 3 years of post-qualification skilled work experience.
Permanent Residency · Direct Entry or TRT
Subclass 186, the destination visa for employer sponsored journeys.
Permanent residency. Sponsored by an Australian employer. Two streams: Direct Entry for applicants who qualify from the start, and Temporary Residence Transition for those who have already worked in Australia on a SID or older 482 visa. The 186 is where most employer sponsored journeys end.
The two streams of the Subclass 186
Direct Entry or Transition. Pick the one that fits.
Direct Entry is for applicants who qualify from the start, usually from overseas. Transition is for SID holders already in Australia with the same employer.
Temporary Residence Transition
For SID holders (or older 482 holders) sponsored by their current employer for at least 2 years. Pathway recently shortened from 3 years to 2.
Which suits you
Direct Entry is best for applicants with extensive overseas experience in a CSOL occupation. Transition is best for workers already in Australia on SID who want to upgrade through their current employer.
Direct Entry stream requirements
Six gates for Direct Entry applicants.
If you have not held a SID (or older 482), you enter the 186 through Direct Entry. Here is what you need.
Occupation on the CSOL
The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List. If your occupation is not on the CSOL, Direct Entry is closed to you.
3 years post-qualification experience
At least 3 years of relevant skilled work experience at the required skill level. Demonstrated with reference letters, pay slips, and tax records.
Skills assessment
Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
English language
Competent English (IELTS 6 across all four components, or equivalent).
Age under 45
Must be under 45 at the time of application. Limited age exemptions apply for specific high-value profiles.
Approved sponsor
An Australian employer approved as a sponsor and who has nominated the position.
Temporary Residence Transition stream requirements
For SID holders ready to upgrade to PR.
Transition is for workers who have already done time in Australia with the nominating employer. The requirements focus on the work relationship itself.
Hold or have held a qualifying visa
Currently hold (or have recently held) a SID visa, or an older Subclass 482 TSS visa.
2 years with this employer
Worked for the nominating employer for at least 2 years on the SID/482. The key change from the previous 3-year rule.
Skills, English, character
Same requirements as Direct Entry, though the skills assessment can sometimes be waived for Transition applicants based on demonstrated work history.
Continued need for the position
The employer must demonstrate that the position is still needed and the worker is still performing the role.
The employer nomination
The employer side has its own four gates.
The 186 is a two-part application. The employer's nomination and the worker's visa. Both must succeed. Here is what the employer must demonstrate.
Approved sponsorStandard Business Sponsorship or a specific labour agreement. A new employer must first become approved before nominating the worker.
Position genuinenessThe position must be genuine, full-time, and ongoing. Fabricated roles or roles created specifically to secure the visa do not succeed.
Market salarySalary must be at or above market rates for the occupation and location. Below-market pay can trigger refusal even if the worker accepts it.
SAF levy paidEmployers pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy on each nomination. This funds training for Australian workers.
Over 40,000 PR grants per year come through the employer sponsored category.
The Subclass 186 was the first permanent visa to introduce structured employer-sponsored pathways decades ago, and it remains one of the most used permanent residency routes. The 186 is the primary destination for this volume.
Common 186 application problems
Four patterns that sink nominations.
Every 186 refusal we have seen has fallen into one of these four buckets. All of them are avoidable with proper preparation.
Position genuineness
Department looks closely at whether the role is real, ongoing, and necessary. Weak documentation of the business's operations can trigger refusal.
Skills assessment issues
For Direct Entry, the skills assessment must support the nominated occupation. Mismatches or weak assessments can undermine the application.
Employer financial capacity
Department wants to see the employer can actually afford to employ the worker at the nominated salary. Small new businesses sometimes struggle here.
Age limit tightness
Applicants close to 45 need the application lodged and assessed before the birthday. Delays can put the visa out of reach.
Common 186 questions
The questions we hear most.
For anything specific to your nomination, employer, or visa history, book a consultation.
How long does a Subclass 186 application take?
Processing times vary. Direct Entry applications typically take 9 to 18 months. Temporary Residence Transition applications are often faster, 6 to 12 months. The Department publishes current estimates.
Does the 186 tie me to my employer permanently?
No. Once the 186 is granted, it is a permanent visa with no work restrictions. You can change employers, start a business, or take time off work. The visa is not tied to the sponsoring employer after grant.
What happens if my employer withdraws the nomination before grant?
If the nomination is withdrawn, the 186 application fails. You need a new sponsor to nominate you, or to find an alternative pathway. Most sponsoring employers follow through with nominations they have lodged, but withdrawals do occur.
Can I apply for the 186 while on a bridging visa?
Generally yes, though the specifics depend on which bridging visa and what conditions apply. Schedule 3 issues can arise if you lodge the 186 while unlawful or after a recent visa refusal.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.