Work and live permanently in Australia’s major cities with employer sponsorship.
Direct Entry Stream (Subclass 186)
Visa – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Reservoir
Secure permanent residency in Australia through employer nomination.
The Direct Entry Stream is one of the three pathways under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Reservoir. This visa provides skilled professionals with a route to work and live in Australia permanently, even if they have no prior work experience in the country.
Highlights
Permanent residency: live, work, and study anywhere in Australia with no time limit.
Full PR rights: access to public healthcare (Medicare), social benefits, and the ability to sponsor eligible family members.
Inclusion of eligible family: partner/spouse and dependent children can be included in the application.
Flexibility: application can be made from within or outside Australia.
Key Eligibility Requirements
You (Applicant) Must:
Be nominated by an Australian employer for a position in an occupation listed on the eligible occupation list (Core Skills Occupation List or its current equivalent).
Have at least 3 years of relevant full‑time work experience in the nominated occupation (foreign or Australian).
Provide a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation — unless you are exempt (e.g. certain academic or specialized roles).
Demonstrate competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent), unless exempt.
Be under 45 years of age at the time of application — unless you qualify for an age exemption.
Hold any required licence, registration or professional membership for regulated occupations.
Meet standard health and character requirements.
Your Employer Must:
Be a lawfully and actively operating business in Australia.
Offer you a full‑time, ongoing skilled position, with a genuine need for your role, for at least two years from visa grant.
Offer a salary at or above the required minimum (market rate / threshold for your occupation) — ensuring fair pay comparable to an Australian worker in similar role/location.
Nominate you formally via Employer Nomination Scheme and pay any required nomination fees or levies (e.g. the Skilling Australians Fund levy).
Application Process
- Employer lodges a Nomination Application, specifying your role, business status, and justification for nomination.
- You submit your Visa Application, including required documents: skills assessment, English test, work experience proof, identity, health and character checks, family details (if applying with dependents).
- Once both nomination and visa application are approved, you are granted permanent residency under Subclass 186 Direct Entry.
Considerations & Compliance
Your employer’s nomination must be genuine, the position must be real and necessary — avoid fake or temporary job offers.
Skills assessment, licensing/registration (if required), English proficiency, and work‑experience criteria must be met.
Salary offered must meet or exceed market standards — not below what an Australian worker would earn.
You are expected to start employment soon after visa grant (or on arrival).
You and your dependents must meet health and character requirements.
FAQs About Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186 Visa)
What is an ENS Subclass 186 Visa?
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It allows applicants to live and work permanently in Australia.
Is PR possible with a 186 Visa in Melbourne?
Yes. The ENS 186 Visa in Melbourne provides a direct route to permanent residency. Once your visa is granted through the Direct Entry Stream, you gain full rights as a permanent resident of Australia.
What are the main streams of the 186 Visa?
The Subclass 186 Visa has three primary streams:
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
- Direct Entry Stream
- Labour Agreement Stream
Can family members be included in a Subclass 186 Visa application in Sydney/Australia?
Yes. Eligible family members, including your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, can be included in your application. If granted, they will also receive permanent residency, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia alongside you.
