Skilled Independent Visa
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
The Subclass 186 visa is the definitive pathway for skilled workers to achieve Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia through an approved employer. This visa is designed to secure long-term, highly-skilled employees for Australian businesses. It has two main streams, catering either to those already working for the sponsoring employer on a temporary visa (TRT Stream) or those applying directly from within or outside Australia (Direct Entry Stream).
The Visa at a Glance
Permanent Status
Indefinite Residency
Grants the holder and their family the right to live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia, with immediate access to Medicare and a pathway to citizenship.
Dual Application Process
Nomination + Visa
The application involves two simultaneous or sequential steps: the employer's Nomination (of the position) and the applicant's Visa Application (for the employee).
Sponsorship Requirement
Employer Nomination is Mandatory
An Australian employer must nominate the applicant for a permanent, full-time position that they genuinely need within their actively operating business.
Primary Age/English Requirement
Under 45 Years & Competent English
Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age and demonstrate at least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in all components) at the time of application.
The 5 Critical Stages We Manage for You
Stream Determination & Strategy
We assess your background (current visa, work history, skills assessment status) and the employer's needs to select the fastest, most compliant stream: Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) or Direct Entry (DE).
Efficiency: Choosing the wrong stream (e.g., DE when TRT is possible) can lead to unnecessary skills assessments or application delays.
Employer Nomination Management
We manage the entire Nomination application for the employer, ensuring the position is genuine, the salary meets the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), and the mandatory Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is paid correctly.
Compliance Focus: We safeguard the employer against non-compliance penalties by ensuring all legal and financial requirements are strictly met.
Skills & Experience Verification
For the Direct Entry stream, we manage the mandatory Skills Assessment and verify the required three years of post-qualification work experience. For the TRT stream, we confirm the two-year work period with the sponsor.
Risk Mitigation: DHA heavily scrutinizes the genuineness of claimed experience and skills, which we evidence robustly.
Concurrent Application Lodgement
We coordinate the simultaneous or sequential lodgement of the Nomination and Visa applications, ensuring all documentation (employment contracts, health, and character checks) aligns perfectly.
Deadline Management: The visa application must be lodged within six months of the Nomination approval; we ensure this critical deadline is never missed.
Post-Grant Obligations & PR Status
We advise both the employer and the employee on the low but mandatory ongoing obligations required post-grant, securing the employee's long-term PR status.
Security: We ensure the transition to permanent residency is smooth, providing certainty for both the business and the migrant family.
What to Expect in Your Consultation
📞 Book Your Subclass 186 Strategy Session
Securing the Subclass 186 is the ultimate reward for skilled work in Australia. Book a strategy session to ensure your application is airtight.
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Stream Eligibility Check: A formal assessment of whether the TRT (for 482 holders) or Direct Entry (for new applicants/strong overseas experience) stream is best for you and your employer.
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Work Experience Verification: A detailed plan for evidencing your work history (2 years for TRT, 3 years for DE) and obtaining any necessary skills assessments.
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Employer Readiness Assessment: We communicate directly with the employer regarding their responsibilities, costs (SAF Levy), and the evidence needed to successfully nominate the position.
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Full Cost Breakdown: A transparent quote covering the government fees for both the Nomination and the Visa, and our fixed professional service fee.