Subclass 186: assess the relevant stream
- Subclass 186 is an employer-nominated permanent visa with Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement streams. The nomination and visa application have separate requirements.
- Direct Entry uses the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Skills assessment, experience, English, age and exemptions must be checked for the relevant stream, rather than against the former MLTSSL or STSOL.
- Temporary Residence Transition has separate visa-holding and sponsored employment requirements. Eligibility depends on the applicant’s visa and employment history.
- Accompanying family must meet the applicable family-unit requirements. Historical cases or undated amounts do not establish current fees, processing times or exemptions.
Prepare your application
Confirm the route
Identify the exact visa or residence category and assess the applicant and accompanying family members separately.
Organise the evidence
Prepare identity, family and background documents relevant to the published requirements. Check consistency across the application.
Plan the submission
Confirm the application stages, required evidence and applicable fees before submitting. Respond to requests from the responsible authority.
Explore this programme
A reading guide to the full material below.
A genuine, ongoing role aligned with the applicant’s capability is the centre of a 186 case. We review the employer, position and applicant together so the business need and professional evidence tell one coherent story.
Who this route may suit
- A genuine ongoing position with an Australian employer
- An occupation, experience and role description that align
- A plan for direct permanent residence or transition from temporary sponsorship
- An employer prepared to nominate and provide business and position evidence
What matters most
- Subclass 186 includes Direct Entry, TRT and Labour Agreement streams
- Employer nomination and the personal visa application are linked but separately assessed
- Direct Entry commonly engages the CSOL, skills assessment, experience, age and English rules
- TRT depends on the visa held, sponsored employment history and rules current at application
A clearer way forward
- Choose the stream and assess employer, role and applicant separately
- Prepare occupation, employment, English and skills-assessment evidence
- Build the employer evidence for the genuine role, salary and business need
- Coordinate nomination and visa stages, health, character and any requests
Plan for the real risks
A matching job title does not prove the duties fit the occupation. Gaps between employer eligibility, salary, role need and the applicant’s experience can create material risk.
Begin with a three-way assessment of the employer, the position and the applicant.
Book a private initial assessment and turn the questions that matter into a practical next-step plan.
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