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186 Visa - Employer Nomination Scheme

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186 Visa Streams

This page covers information on the Direct Entry Stream and the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.

If you are currently sponsored by an employer and you have completed (or you are close to completing) 3 years with that sponsor and you wish to transition to permanent residency, the Temporary Residence Transition Stream may be more applicable to you. 

186 Visa - Direct Entry Stream Overview

The purpose of the subclass Employer Nomination (ENS) is to allow Australian employers to fill highly skilled positions with suitably qualified migrants. The scheme is designed to assist employers who are unable to meet their skilled Australian workforce needs from the local labour market.

The minimum requirements of the subclass 186 Employer Nomination (ENS) Direct Entry stream of this visa are set out below:

Direct Entry Stream - Employer & Position

Employer

The business seeking to employ you must:

  • be actively and lawfully operating in Australia
  • genuinely need you to work in the nominated position under its direct control, and have the capacity to employ you in this position for at least two years

Position

The position to be filled must be:

NOTE: Certain occupations on this list will be subject to additional requirements (e.g. salary, type of business operated by employer, nature of position). Please contact us for further details based on your particular circumstances.

  • have a salary that is:
  • at least $53,900 per year (excluding any non-monetary benefits) AND
  • at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for your nominated occupation

    NOTES: the AMSR for your nominated occupation (excluding non-monetary benefits) must also be no less than $53,900 per year.

    The AMSR is the salary that an Australian earns (or would earn) for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location.

    You will be exempt from the AMSR requirement if your salary is more than $250,000 per year.

  • be subject to conditions of employment (other than earnings) that are no worse than those that apply (or would apply) to Australians performing equivalent work in the same location

Direct Entry Stream - Visa Applicant

Visa Applicant

As the visa applicant, you must (unless a specific exemption applies in any case):

  • have competent English i.e.
    • hold a valid passport issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland (and you are a citizen of that country) OR
    • an IELTS test score of at least 6 in EACH test component OR
    • an OET test score of at least B in EACH test component OR
    • a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking OR
    • a PTE test score of at least 50 in EACH test component OR
    • a CAE test score of at least 169 in EACH test component
      NOTES: In each case, the test must have been undertaken within the last three years.
  • have your skills assessed as suitable for your nominated occupation by the relevant skills assessing authority
  • have at least three years of full-time experience in your nominated occupation
  • be under 45 years of age
  • meet any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements
  • satisfy the relevant health and character criteria

Step 1: Consultation

The first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents. During the consultation, we will assess your situation and your background. We may also assess your employer and their organisation to determine their eligibility to nominate you in the skilled position.

We offer convenient Zoom or phone consultations.

We can also schedule a time to contact your employer to discuss any queries that they may have.

We will send you and/or your employer a fixed fee quote following the consultation which breaks down the applicable fees for each step. 

We offer split fee payments to assist you financially during the preparation stages of your visa journey. 

Step 2: Eligibility Assessment

Once you engage in our services, we will conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility for this visa. This involves reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language and other circumstances, to establish whether or not you are likely to meet the relevant requirements.

As part of this initial eligibility assessment, we will consider which MLTSSL occupation(s) you are likely to be able to nominate, and whether or not you are potentially eligible for a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.

We will then provide you with informed and comprehensive advice about your ability to meet the minimum standards that the DOHA requires migrants to fulfil in order to be granted this direct permanent skilled visa.

Note: Our initial assessment of your eligibility does not guarantee that you will (or will not) in fact obtain a positive skills assessment.

Step 3: Skills Assessment

Should our initial assessment indicate that you are eligible for a positive skills assessment, we will prepare your skills assessment application.

For each skilled occupation listed on the MLTSSL, the DOHA has specified an assessing authority that may carry out skills assessments for that occupation. Only a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority will be accepted by the DOHA.

We will provide you with a tailored list of the information and documents required to support your application. When you have provided the necessary details and documents, along with the required assessment fee, we will lodge your application with the applicable skills assessing authority.

Step 4: Nomination Application

This application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA) on behalf of your employer, and relates to the skilled position that you have been offered, which must meet the requirements referred to above. Your employer is required to supply documents to the DOHA in support of this application, the nature and extent of which will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the business.

Skilling Australians Fund Levy

Employers must pay a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for EACH subclass 186 nomination lodged with the DOHA. The amount payable varies based on the employer’s annual turnover:

  • For employers with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$3,000 per nomination.
  • For employers with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$5,000 per nomination.

The SAF levy must be paid upfront, at the time that the nomination is lodged.

Step 5: Visa Application

Once you have received a positive skills assessment from the skills assessing authority, and your employer’s nomination application has been lodged, we can then lodge your 186 Direct Entry Stream visa application with the DOHA.

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. The main criterion is that you fulfil the above requirements, including the standard health and character checks.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: 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.

186 Visa - Temporary Residence Transition Stream Overview

The purpose of the subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) is to allow Australian employers to fill highly skilled positions with suitably qualified migrants. The scheme is designed to assist employers who are unable to meet their skilled Australian workforce needs from the local labour market.

The requirements for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of this visa are set out below:

Temporary Residence Transition Stream - Employer & Position

Employer

The business seeking to employ you must:

  • still be actively and lawfully operating in Australia
  • genuinely need you to work in the nominated position under its direct control, and have the capacity to employ you in this position for at least two years

Position

The position to be filled must:

  • be full-time and available for at least 2 years from the time your visa is granted
  • be an occupation included on the current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the current Short-term occupation list (STSOL) if you were in Australia for at least 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021
    NOTES: This requirement does not apply if on 18 April 2017 you held (or had applied for, and were subsequently granted) a subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa.
    Certain occupations on the MLTSSL will be subject to additional requirements (e.g. salary, type of business operated by employer, nature of position). Please contact us for further details based on your particular circumstances.
  • have a salary that is:
    • at least $53,900 per year (excluding any non-monetary benefits) AND
    • at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for your nominated occupation
      NOTES: the AMSR for your nominated occupation (excluding non-monetary benefits) must also be no less than $53,900 per year.
      The AMSR is the salary that an Australian earns (or would earn) for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location.
      You will be exempt from the AMSR requirement if your salary is more than $250,000 per year.
  • be subject to conditions of employment (other than earnings) that are no worse than those that apply (or would apply) to Australians performing equivalent work in the same location.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream - Visa Applicant

Visa Applicant

As the visa applicant, you must:

  • have held one of the following visas to work on a full-time basis in the nominated position (or a very closely related position) for the nominating employer in Australia for at least 3 years during the last 4 years:
  • subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa OR
  • subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in the Medium-term stream OR
  • subclass 482 TSS visa in the Short-term stream, if on 18 April 2017 you held (or had applied for, and were subsequently granted) a subclass 457 visa
    NOTES: If on 18 April 2017 you held (or had applied for, and were subsequently granted) a subclass 457 visa, then you only need to meet the above criteria for 2 years during the last 3 years.
    COVID-19 event concessions may apply to reduced work arrangements for sponsored employment periods after 1 February 2020.
  • be genuinely performing the tasks of your nominated occupation
  • have competent English i.e.
    • hold a valid passport issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland (and you are a citizen of that country) OR
    • an IELTS test score of at least 6 in EACH test component OR
    • an OET test score of at least B in EACH test component OR
    • a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking OR
    • a PTE test score of at least 50 in EACH test component OR
    • a CAE (C1 Advanced) test score of at least 169 in EACH test component
      NOTES: In each case, the test must have been undertaken within the last three years.
  • be under 45 years of age (unless exempt from this requirement)
    NOTE: If on 18 April 2017 you held (or had applied for, and were subsequently granted) a subclass 457 visa, then you must only be under 50 years of age
  • meet any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements
  • satisfy the relevant health and character criteria

Step 1: Consultation

The first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents. During the consultation, we will assess your situation and your background. We may also assess your employer and their organisation to determine their eligibility to nominate you in the skilled position.

We offer convenient Zoom or phone consultations.

We can also schedule a time to contact your employer to discuss any queries that they may have.

We will send you and/or your employer a fixed fee quote following the consultation which breaks down the applicable fees for each step. 

We offer split fee payments to assist you financially during the preparation stages of your visa journey. 

Step 2: Eligibility Assessment

Once you engage in our services, we will conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility for this visa. This involves reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language and other circumstances, to establish whether or not you are likely to meet the relevant requirements.

We will then provide you with informed and comprehensive advice about your ability to meet the minimum standards that the DOHA requires migrants to fulfil in order to be granted this direct permanent skilled visa.

Step 3: Nomination Application

This application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA) on behalf of your employer, and relates to the skilled position that you have been offered, which must meet the requirements referred to above. Your employer is required to supply documents to the DOHA in support of this application, the nature and extent of which will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the business.

Skilling Australians Fund Levy

Employers must pay a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for EACH subclass 186 nomination lodged with the DOHA. The amount payable varies based on the employer’s annual turnover:

  • For employers with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$3,000 per nomination.
  • For employers with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$5,000 per nomination.

The SAF levy must be paid upfront, at the time that the nomination is lodged.

Step 4: Visa Application

Once your employer’s nomination application has been lodged, we can then lodge your 186 Temporary Residence Transition visa application with the DOHA.

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. The main criterion is that you fulfil the above requirements, including the standard health and character checks.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: 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. 

Migration Agent - STSOL

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Here's what our clients have to say about us…

Gina Karnasch
Gina Karnasch
17. March, 2023.
I came into this consult thinking there is no way out, but Bonnie has given me multiple options and helped me out tremendously. She is also a great person to just chat to and lifted my mood instantly! (: 10/10 would recommend
Kristen Kozik
Kristen Kozik
17. March, 2023.
Taina was absolutely incredible the whole process. I lost some time by logging my application incorrectly the first time on my own and decided to spend the money with Migration Unity to do it correctly. Taina walked me through step by step exactly what I needed and was always quick and patient with my questions and concerns. I suggest this company to anyone wanting to move to Australia. Thanks again Taina for all of your help!
The Show Stopper
The Show Stopper
16. March, 2023.
I was looking for 186 Direct Entry Employer sponsorship VISA and reached out to MIGRATION UNITY and had excellent initial consultation experience with Mr. Matthew Halliday highlighting and coming up with the most honest and possible ways to initiate the process which falls under Australian laws. Highly recommend Migration Unity for any migration consultancy application and information.
Bekki Molineux
Bekki Molineux
7. March, 2023.
We have had the most amazing, smooth and easy visa journey with Taina and the Migration Unity team! They have a great system that tells you all the evidence you need to upload and they proof read everything and made sure we covered all evidence bases to ensure our best chances of having a smooth process. They had great and clear communication and are so friendly! Would definitely recommend Migration Unity for any visa needs.
Jamie Strevens
Jamie Strevens
7. March, 2023.
Very professional and courteous
Anabella Nahabedian
Anabella Nahabedian
7. March, 2023.
My partner and I just got PR!!!!!!!! Migration Unity has been incredible from day 1. They have been readily available throughout the whole process and have given us full support. Denise and Taina were extremely helpful and very lovely to deal with! Couldn’t recommend them enough!!
Harriet Muthoni
Harriet Muthoni
6. March, 2023.
The consultation was very easy to book online. I spoke with Matthew Halliday who gave me up to date and insightful information and assisted me with some of my burning questions. I highly recommend this service for anyone looking for assistance with their immigration process.
Anna Stafford
Anna Stafford
3. March, 2023.
I couldn't recommend Migration Unity enough for any visa services you may need. Taina went above and beyond and did everything she could to help get my Permenant Residency visa, which I recently received because of her! She is incredibly efficient at her job and helped me and supported me throughout the whole process. The friendliest and kindest person too, I felt so trusting of her. Look nowhere else but these gems!
Josh Fayaz
Josh Fayaz
1. March, 2023.
I just wanted to share my amazing experience working with migration unity for my partnership visa application in Australia. I have to say, the service I received was fantastic! Right from the start, Scott and Taina was super friendly and made me feel so comfortable throughout the entire process. They were very organized and really knew their stuff, which made the application process a breeze. I never felt lost or confused, and they were always available to answer any questions I had. They also kept me in the loop with regular updates on the status of my application, which made me feel really secure and confident. And to top it off, they helped me get my application approved in no time! Overall, I'd absolutely recommend this company to anyone looking for immigration assistance in Australia. Their expertise, professionalism, and amazing customer service made my whole experience so much better. Thanks again guys!
Charlotte Brown
Charlotte Brown
23. February, 2023.
My partner James and I cannot thank Scott initially and then Denise and Taina for all of their help with our sponsorship.. We have had our visas granted in less than 5 months since starting the process.. They have all been so helpful, informative and kind from day one and our Australian dream would not be happening without them. Thank you all.

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How it works

Consultation

Consultation

One of the most important parts of this journey is to find the correct visa, confirm your eligibility and plan correctly.
Engagement

Engagement

As every case is different and there are various visa subclasses it is important that you find a Registered Agent that specializes in your visa subclass.
Preparation & Lodgement

Preparation & Lodgement

From here, your Registered Migration Agent will look after the entire process on your behalf.

What makes Migration Unity different

01.

We have been in your position before

Just like you, the co-founders of Migration Unity are also migrants. We once landed in this great country and shortly after fell in love with the fantastic lifestyle that Australia has to offer.

We have been in your position before, and we completely understand the emotions that you are going through.

The responsibility of our client’s future is in our hands, and we do not take this lightly.

And that is why we are here to help you through every step of your migration journey.

02.

Our Knowledge

Did you know there are currently over 70 different Australian visas?

We have selected a handful of these visas and focused on obtaining in-depth knowledge and a complete understanding of the ever-changing and evolving legislation and policy procedures behind these applications.

03.

Quality over quantity

You are not just a number to us, we don’t focus on a visa count of how many applications we can possibly lodge per year, we focus on success!

We specialise in the following applications and we are proud to say we have a 100% success rate!