Secure Your Australian Permanent Residency Through The 186 Visa - Backed by Our No Visa, No Fee Guarantee!

Thousands of Skilled Workers Have Trusted Us to Manage Their Permanent Residency (186) – With Transparent Fees, Fast Action, and Real Results.

At a glance

VisaSubclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme

PathwayPermanent residency through an employer

Handled byRegistered migration agents

Our feesFixed fee, quoted upfront

Applications Approved

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5-Star Reviews

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Fixed Fee

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Employer Sponsored 186 Visa – Your Path to Permanent Residency in Australia

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) offers skilled workers the opportunity to live and work permanently in Australia with the support of an Australian employer. This visa is designed to help Australian businesses address labour shortages by sponsoring highly skilled workers either currently residing in Australia or overseas.

It includes three distinct pathways tailored to the applicant’s specific circumstances:

Direct Entry Stream
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Labour Agreement Stream

Two colleagues smiling and working together on laptops

Direct Entry Stream (DE Stream) – For Those with Strong Skills and Experience

The Direct Entry stream is ideal for skilled workers who have not worked in Australia, or who have only briefly worked here, but possess the qualifications and experience needed to fill a position on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Visa Applicant Requirements:

To be eligible under this stream, you must:

Have your skills positively assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
Have at least 3 years of full-time, post-qualification experience in the nominated occupation.
Be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless an exemption applies).
Demonstrate Competent English – proven through an accepted English test unless exempt.
Meet any mandatory licensing or registration requirements for your occupation.
Fulfil the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Employer Requirements:

Your employer must:

Be lawfully and actively operating in Australia.
Demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated position.
Offer a full-time role that is available for at least two years.
Pay at least $79,423 per year, or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) – whichever is higher.
Ensure employment conditions are no less favourable than those of Australian employees in similar roles.

This stream is particularly relevant to individuals who are highly skilled and ready to make the move to Australia on a direct permanent residency pathway.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream – For Those with Strong Skills and Experience

The TRT stream is suited for applicants who are already working in Australia under a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. If you’ve worked for your employer in the same occupation for at least 2 years, you may be eligible to transition to permanent residency through this stream.

Visa Applicant Requirements:

You must:

Have held a 482 visa and worked in the same occupation for the same employer for a minimum of two years before applying.
Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
Demonstrate Competent English.
Be genuinely performing the tasks of your nominated occupation.
Meet health, character, and any occupational licensing requirements.

Employer Requirements:

The employer must:

Still be lawfully and actively operating in Australia.
Offer a permanent, full-time position for at least two years.
Provide a salary that meets the AMSR, with a minimum threshold of $79,423 per annum.
Ensure employment conditions align with Australian labour standards.

This is a common and reliable pathway for many temporary visa holders seeking to remain in Australia permanently while continuing to work for their current employer.

Labour Agreement Stream – For Unique Industry Needs

This stream is for applicants who are sponsored under a Labour Agreement that has been negotiated between an employer and the Australian Government. Labour Agreements are used when standard migration pathways don’t meet industry or regional needs.

Key Features:

Visa criteria, including age, English proficiency, and skills requirements, may vary depending on the specific agreement.
Applicants generally must have prior work experience in the role under the Labour Agreement.
This stream provides access to occupations and concessions not available under other visa streams.

Employer Obligations:

Must have a valid Labour Agreement in place.
Demonstrate a genuine skills shortage.
Comply with all requirements of the agreement.
Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: $3,000 for businesses with turnover under $10 million, and $5,000 for those over.

This stream is often used in regional or niche industries, such as agriculture, aged care, or hospitality, where workforce shortages persist.

Our Proven 6-Step Process for the 186 Visa

At Migration Unity, we take care of everything from eligibility assessment to lodgement. Here’s how we support you from start to finish:

1. Consultation & Strategy: We begin with a detailed consultation to assess your individual circumstances and your employer’s ability to nominate. We’ll identify the best stream and ensure there’s a clear strategy before proceeding.

2. Fixed Quote: Following your consultation, we provide a clear, fixed-fee quote. We also offer split payments to make the process more manageable.

3. Skills & Eligibility Assessment: Our team will confirm whether you meet the requirements for your chosen stream. If a skills assessment is needed, we guide you through the process and prepare your application to the appropriate assessing authority.

4. Nomination Application: We prepare and lodge the employer’s nomination, ensuring it has the highest chance of sucsefully meets all legislative requirements.

5. Visa Application Preparation: While your nomination is being finalised, we will simultaneously gather your documents, review your supporting evidence, and prepare your visa application. As soon as the nomination is lodged and confirmed eligible, we submit your visa application immediately to avoid unnecessary delays.

Your visa application is lodged with the DOHA either at the same time as the nomination application, or within six months of the DOHA’s approval of the nomination.

6. Lodgement & Ongoing Support: We handle communications with the Department of Home Affairs, monitor the progress of your application, and manage any requests for further information. If you’re applying onshore, you’ll be granted a bridging visa to remain lawfully in Australia during processing.

Please note: Once the DOHA has approved both applications, you will be granted a permanent subclass 186 Employer Nomination visa. You may be in Australia or outside Australia when your visa is granted.

We estimate that it may take several weeks to prepare and lodge your application, with the time taken largely dependent on how promptly you and your nominator provide us with the necessary supporting information and documents.

The time that it takes the DOHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities.

Start Your Journey Towards Permanent Residency

Whether you’re already working in Australia or planning to make the move, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way. Book your consultation with a Registered Migration Agent today and take control of your future with confidence.

How to Maximise Your Chances of a Successful Employer Sponsored Visa - Without the Stress, Delays, or Expensive Mistakes

Are you being offered a role by an Australian employer – or already working for one who’s ready to sponsor you?

Feeling unsure about the sponsorship process, eligibility, or whether your employer is doing it right?

We get it. The employer sponsored visa process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating it for the first time. One small error in the application or sponsorship setup can delay – or even derail – your future in Australia.

At Migration Unity, we help skilled workers and their employers confidently navigate every step of the visa process – from 482 sponsorship to PR through the 186. Our team of registered migration agents has years of experience managing employer sponsored cases across dozens of industries, with fixed fees and a No Visa, No Fee Guarantee.

How can Migration Unity help you?

Your trusted partner, guiding you every step of the way to Permanent Residence or Citizenship!

Eligibility Assessment

We’ll assess whether you and your sponsoring employer meet the specific legal criteria for the 186 visa - including age, English, skills, experience, and the requirements of the nominated position. We'll also identify the most suitable stream and permanent residency pathway.

Employer Nomination

We manage the entire nomination process on behalf of your employer. From preparing business documentation to ensuring the role meets salary, labour market, and legislative standards, we give your nomination the best possible chance of success.

Visa Application

We prepare and lodge your 186 visa application with precision. From reviewing your documents and evidence to drafting detailed submissions, we ensure your application is strong, complete, and legally compliant - ready for a positive outcome.

Bridging Visas

If you're applying for your 186 visa from inside Australia, we’ll help ensure you’re granted the correct Bridging Visa so you can stay lawfully onshore during processing - with minimal disruption to your work and life.

Visa Grant and Post-Grant Support

After your 186 visa is granted, we’ll explain your rights and obligations, including travel conditions and reporting duties. We’ll also provide guidance on citizenship eligibility and how to meet permanent residence requirements long term.

Citizenship Guidance

Once your permanent 186 visa is granted, we’ll help you understand the steps toward Australian citizenship - including residency requirements, timelines, and what to expect when you're ready to apply.

Our Team

Reliable and registered migration experts, here to help

Taina Brennan

Co-founder & Registered Migration Consultant

Scott Brennan

Co-founder & Managing Director