Employer Nomination Scheme visa (186)
Under the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 visa, a 482 or 457 holder who has worked full time in sponsored employment for a total of 2 years in the 3 years before applying can be nominated for permanent residence by their current sponsor; since 7 December 2024 the 2 years may include periods with earlier sponsors. The applicant must usually be under 45 and have at least Competent English, with no English exemption in this stream.
- Permanent residence (186)
- Two routes: transition after 2 years of sponsored work, or Direct Entry
What we do
- 01Plan the permanent residence pathway from the start, so the periods of sponsored employment count.
- 02Prepare the standard business sponsorship application, the labour market testing and the nomination, and check the salary against the current thresholds.
- 03Prepare the visa application, including skills assessment, English and health requirements.
When you need this
If you are the worker:
- You hold a 482 or 457 visa and want to move to permanent residence.
Who you will work with
Jing Sun
Principal Solicitor · Notary Public
Founder and Principal Solicitor with 16+ years across commercial, corporate, litigation and immigration law. Also a Notary Public.
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Direct Entry is the other route
An employer can nominate a worker directly for the 186 visa if the occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List, the worker has at least 3 years of relevant experience and a positive skills assessment, is under 45 unless exempt and has Competent English.
The salary floors change every July
For nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD146,576; the Core Skills threshold also applies to 186 nominations, and the same AUD79,423 figure applies to the regional 494 visa. The nominated salary must also be no less than what an Australian would earn in the same job.
The employer pays the training levy, and cannot pass it on
The Skilling Australians Fund levy is payable in full when the nomination is lodged: for a 482 nomination AUD1,200 or AUD1,800 for each year, depending on whether the business turns over less than AUD10 million; for 186 and 494 nominations a one off AUD3,000 or AUD5,000. The employer must not pass the levy or any sponsorship or nomination cost on to the worker, and it is an offence for a worker to pay an employer for sponsorship.
How we work
- 01A first conversation in English or Mandarin, with the employer or the worker or both, about the role, the business and the timetable.
- 02Before any work starts, we confirm the scope of work and our fees in writing. Where we act for both employer and worker, we say in writing what we will do for each.
- 03We prepare the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications in the right order, keep both sides informed, and plan the permanent residence step.
Common questions
I have been on a 482 with two different employers. Does all of it count towards the 186?
Since 7 December 2024, periods of full time sponsored employment with any approved sponsor can be counted towards the 2 years, as long as your current employer was the last to sponsor you and nominates you.
This page is general information about Australian immigration law and is not legal advice. Please contact us about your own situation.
Last updated: October 2026