Visa subclass

Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme

Current

Schedule 2 · Migration Regulations 1994

F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287As in force on 1 June 2026

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In Schedule 1

1114BEmployer Nomination (Permanent) (Class EN)

Applications for this subclass are made under item 1114B of Schedule 1 (Classes of visa).

Provision: Subclass 186
As in force on: 1 June 2026
Citation: F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287

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Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme

186.1—Interpretation

186.111

In this Part: application for approval means an application under regulation 5.19 for approval of the nomination of a position. occupation means the occupation that would be carried out by a person who is employed in a position. Note 1: For labour agreement and regional provisional visa and relevant assessing authority: see regulation 1.03. Note 2: Regulation 1.03 provides that competent English has the meaning set out in regulation 1.15C.

186.2—Primary criteria

Note: The primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 186 visa include criteria set out in streams. If an applicant applies for a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream, the criteria in Subdivisions 186.21 and 186.22 are the primary criteria for the grant of the visa. If an applicant applies for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream, the criteria in Subdivisions 186.21 and 186.23 are the primary criteria. If an applicant applies for a Subclass 186 visa in the Labour Agreement stream, the criteria in Subdivisions 186.21 and 186.24 are the primary criteria. The primary criteria must be satisfied by at least one member of a family unit. The other members of the family unit who are applicants for a visa of this subclass need satisfy only the secondary criteria. All criteria must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application.

186.21—Common criteria

Note: These criteria are for all applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 186 visa.

186.211

If it is mandatory, in the State or Territory in which the position to which the application relates is located, that a person:

(a) hold a licence of a particular kind; or

(b) hold registration of a particular kind; or

to perform tasks of the kind to be performed in the occupation to which a position relates, the applicant is, or is eligible to become, the holder of the licence, the holder of the registration, or a member of the body, at the time of application.

186.212

The position to which the application relates will provide to the applicant the employment referred to in the application for approval.

186.212A

Either:

(a) the Minister is satisfied that the applicant has not, in the previous 3 years, engaged in conduct that constitutes a contravention of subsection 245AR(1), 245AS(1), 245AT(1) or 245AU(1) of the Act; or

(b) both of the following apply:

(i) the Minister is satisfied that the applicant has engaged in such conduct in that period;

(ii) the Minister considers that it is reasonable to disregard the conduct.

186.213

(1) The applicant (the primary applicant) satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B, 4004, 4010, 4020 and 4021.

(2) If the primary applicant has turned 18 at the time of application, the primary applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4019.

(3) Each person who is covered by subclause (4), (5) or (6) satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B, 4004, 4010 and 4020.

(4) This subclause covers a person who is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant who is also an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa.

(5) This subclause covers a person (the relevant person) if:

(a) the relevant person was, at the time of the primary applicant’s application, a member of the family unit of the primary applicant; and

(b) the relevant person is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa; and

(i) the relevant person; or

(ii) a member of the family unit of the relevant person who has made a combined application with the relevant person or with the primary applicant; or

(iii) a dependent child of the relevant person or of the primary applicant;

has experienced family violence committed by the primary applicant. Note: For special provisions relating to family violence, see Division 1.5.

(6) This subclause covers a person if:

(a) the person is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa; and

(b) the person is a member of the family unit of a person covered by subclause (5).

(7) Each person:

(a) who either:

(i) is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant and also an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa; or

(ii) is covered by subclause (5) or (6); and

(b) who had turned 18 at the time of the primary applicant’s application;

satisfies public interest criterion 4019.

(8) If a person:

(a) either:

(i) is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant and also an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa; or

(ii) is covered by subclause (5) or (6); and

(b) has not turned 18;

public interest criteria 4015 and 4016 are satisfied in relation to the person.

(9) Each person:

(a) who is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant; and

(b) who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa;

satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B and 4004.

(10) Each person:

(a) who was, at the time of the primary applicant’s application, a member of the family unit of the primary applicant but is no longer a member of the family unit of the primary applicant; and

(b) who is a member of the family unit of a person who is covered by subclause (5); and

satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B and 4004.

186.214

(1) The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

(2) Each person covered by subclause 186.213(4), (5) or (6) satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

186.22—Criteria for Temporary Residence Transition stream

Note: These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

186.221

At the time of application, the applicant:

(a) had not turned 45; or

(b) was a person in a class of persons specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this paragraph.

186.222

At the time of application, the applicant:

(a) had competent English; or

(b) was a person in a class of persons specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this paragraph.

186.223

(1) The position to which the application relates is the position:

(a) nominated in an application for approval that:

(i) identifies the applicant in relation to the position; and

(ii) is made in relation to a visa in a Temporary Residence Transition stream; and

(c) in relation to which the declaration mentioned in paragraph 1114B(3)(d) of Schedule 1 was made in the application for the grant of the visa.

(2) The Minister has approved the nomination.

(3) The nomination has not subsequently been withdrawn.

(3A) Either:

(a) there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the person who made the nomination or a person associated with that person; or

(b) it is reasonable to disregard any adverse information known to Immigration about the person who made the nomination or a person associated with that person.

(4) The position is still available to the applicant.

(5) The application for the visa is made no more than 6 months after the Minister approved the nomination.

186.224

(1) The applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4007.

(2) Each person covered by subclause 186.213(4), (5) or (6) satisfies public interest criterion 4007.

(3) Each member of the family unit of the applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4007 unless it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

(4) Each person:

(a) who was, at the time of application, a member of the family unit of the applicant but is no longer a member the family unit of the applicant; and

(b) who is a member of the family unit of an applicant who is covered by subclause 186.213(5) or (6); and

satisfies public interest criterion 4007 unless it would be unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

186.225

If the Minister requires the applicant to demonstrate that he or she has the skills that are necessary to perform the tasks of the occupation to which the position relates, the applicant demonstrates that he or she has those skills in the manner specified by the Minister.

186.226

(1) During the period of 3 years immediately before the application for the visa is made, the applicant held one or more of the following for a total period of at least 2 years:

(a) a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa;

(b) a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa;

(d) if the last substantive visa held by the applicant was a visa mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)—a bridging visa granted on the basis that the person was an applicant for a visa mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), a Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa or a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa.

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify different periods of time for the purposes of subclause (1) for persons specified in the instrument.

186.227

(1) Subject to subclause (2), during the period of 3 years immediately before the application for the visa is made, the applicant was employed by an approved work sponsor in an occupation in relation to which the visa, or visas, mentioned in paragraph 186.226(1)(a), (b) or (c) were granted:

(a) for a total period of at least 2 years (not including any periods of unpaid leave); and

(b) on a full-time basis, with the employment being undertaken in Australia.

(2) If the visa, or visas, mentioned in paragraph 186.226(1)(a), (b) or (c) were granted in relation to an occupation specified in an instrument made under subregulation 2.72(13)—during the period of 3 years immediately before the application is made, the applicant was employed by an approved work sponsor in the occupation for a total period of at least 2 years (not including any period of unpaid leave).

(3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify different periods of time for the purposes of subclauses (1) and (2) for persons specified in the instrument.

186.23—Criteria for Direct Entry stream

Note: These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream.

186.231

At the time of application, the applicant:

(a) had not turned 45; or

(b) was a person in a class of persons specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this paragraph.

186.232

At the time of application, the applicant:

(a) had competent English; or

(b) was a person in a class of persons specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this paragraph.

186.232A

(1) If, at the time of application:

(a) the applicant held a regional provisional visa; or

(b) the last substantive visa held by the applicant was a regional provisional visa;

the applicant must have held the visa for at least 3 years at the time of application unless circumstances specified in an instrument under subclause (2) exist.

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify circumstances for the purposes of subclause (1).

186.233

(1) The position to which the application relates is the position:

(a) nominated in an application for approval that:

(i) identifies the applicant in relation to the position; and

(ii) is made in relation to a visa in a Direct Entry stream; and

(iii) seeks to meet the requirements of subregulation 5.19(10); and

(b) in relation to which the declaration mentioned in paragraph 1114B(3)(d) of Schedule 1 was made in the application for the grant of the visa.

(2) The person who will employ the applicant is the person who made the nomination.

(3) The Minister has approved the nomination.

(4) The nomination has not subsequently been withdrawn.

(4A) Either:

(a) there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the person who made the nomination or a person associated with that person; or

(b) it is reasonable to disregard any adverse information known to Immigration about the person who made the nomination or a person associated with that person.

(5) The position is still available to the applicant.

(6) The application for the visa is made not more than 6 months after the Minister approved the nomination.

186.234

(1) At the time of application, subclause (2) or (3) applies.

(2) All of the following apply:

(a) the relevant assessing authority for the occupation has assessed the applicant’s skills as suitable for the occupation;

(aa) the assessment was not for a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa;

(ab) if the assessment specifies a period during which the assessment is valid, and the period does not end more than 3 years after the date of the assessment—the period has not ended;

(ac) if paragraph (ab) does not apply—not more than 3 years have passed since the date of the assessment;

(b) the applicant has been employed in the occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the level of skill required for the occupation.

(3) The applicant is a person in a class of persons specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this subclause.

186.235

(1) The applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4005.

(2) Each person covered by subclause 186.213(4), (5) or (6) satisfies public interest criterion 4005.

(3) Each member of the family unit of the applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

(4) Each person:

(a) who was, at the time of application, a member of the family unit of the applicant but is no longer a member the family unit of the applicant; and

(b) who is a member of the family unit of an applicant who is covered by subclause 186.213(5) or (6); and

satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

186.24—Criteria for Labour Agreement stream

Note: These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Labour Agreement stream.

186.241

Either:

(a) the applicant had not turned 45 at the time of application; or

(b) the applicant has not reached the age specified by the Minister in a labour agreement:

(i) that is in effect; and

(ii) to which the employer is a party; and

(iii) under which the position to which the application relates is nominated.

186.241A

(1) If, at the time of application:

(a) the applicant held a regional provisional visa; or

(b) the last substantive visa held by the applicant was a regional provisional visa;

the applicant must have held the visa, at the time of application, for at least:

(d) if the Minister has specified a lesser period in the labour agreement mentioned in paragraph 186.241(b)—that specified period.

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify circumstances for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c).

186.242

(1) The position to which the application relates is the position:

(a) nominated in an application for approval that:

(i) identifies the applicant in relation to the position; and

(ii) is made in relation to a visa in a Labour Agreement stream; and

(b) identified in the application for the grant of the visa.

(3) The Minister has approved the nomination.

(4) The nomination has not subsequently been withdrawn.

(4A) Either:

(a) there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the employer who made the nomination or a person associated with the employer; or

(b) it is reasonable to disregard any adverse information known to Immigration about the employer who made the nomination or a person associated with the employer.

(5) The position is still available to the applicant.

(6) The terms and conditions of employment applicable to the position will be no less favourable than the terms and conditions that:

(a) are provided; or

(b) would be provided;

to an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident for performing equivalent work in the workplace to which the application relates at the same location.

186.243

(1) The applicant has the qualifications, experience and other attributes (if any) specified by the Minister in the labour agreement mentioned in paragraph 186.241(b):

(a) for the occupation to which the position relates; and

(b) for the visa.

(2) The applicant satisfies any language test requirements (if any) specified by the Minister in the labour agreement mentioned in paragraph 186.241(b):

(a) for the occupation to which the position relates; and

(b) for the visa.

(3) The applicant demonstrates their English language proficiency in the manner (if any) specified by the Minister in the labour agreement mentioned in paragraph 186.241(b):

(a) for the occupation to which the position relates; and

(b) for the visa.

(4) The applicant demonstrates that they have the skills that are necessary to perform the tasks of the occupation to which the position relates in the manner (if any) specified by the Minister in the labour agreement mentioned in paragraph 186.241(b):

(a) for the occupation to which the position relates; and

(b) for the visa.

(5) If a manner specified in the labour agreement for the purposes of subclause (4) is that the applicant’s skills must be assessed as suitable for the occupation to which the position relates, all of the following apply:

(a) the applicant’s skills have been assessed as suitable by:

(i) if there is a relevant assessing authority for the occupation—the relevant assessing authority for the occupation; or

(ii) otherwise—the person or body specified by the Minister in the labour agreement for the occupation;

(b) if the assessment specified a period during which the assessment was valid, and the period did not end more than 3 years after the date of the assessment—the period has not ended;

186.244

(1) The applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4005.

(2) Each person covered by subclause 186.213(4), (5) or (6) satisfies public interest criterion 4005.

(3) Each member of the family unit of the applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

(4) Each person:

(a) who was, at the time of application, a member of the family unit of the applicant but is no longer a member the family unit of the applicant; and

(b) who is a member of the family unit of an applicant who is covered by subclause 186.213(5) or (6); and

satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless it would be unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

186.3—Secondary criteria

Note: These criteria are for applicants seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria. All criteria must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application.

186.31—Criteria

186.311

(1) The applicant meets the requirements of subclause (2), (3), (4) or (5).

(2) The applicant:

(a) is a member of the family unit of a person (the primary applicant) who holds a Subclass 186 visa granted on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria for the grant of the visa; and

(b) made a combined application with the primary applicant.

(3) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:

(a) at the time of the application, the applicant was the spouse or de facto partner of a person (the primary applicant) seeking to satisfy

the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 186 visa, and the primary applicant has since been granted that visa; and

(b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant has ceased; and

(i) the applicant;

(ii) a member of the family unit of the applicant who has made a combined application with the applicant or with the primary applicant;

(iii) a dependent child of the applicant or of the primary applicant; has experienced family violence committed by the primary applicant; and

(d) the applicant:

(i) was in Australia at the time the applicant’s visa application was made; or

(ii) entered Australia after the applicant’s visa application was made.

(4) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:

(a) at the time of the application, the applicant was the spouse or de facto partner of a person (the primary applicant) seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 186 visa; and

(b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant has ceased; and

(i) the applicant;

(ii) a member of the family unit of the applicant who has made a combined application with the applicant or with the primary applicant;

(iii) a dependent child of the applicant or of the primary applicant; has experienced family violence committed by the primary applicant; and

(d) the applicant:

(i) was in Australia at the time the applicant’s visa application was made; or

(ii) entered Australia after the applicant’s visa application was made; and

(e) the Minister has decided to refuse to grant the primary applicant the visa for reasons including that the primary applicant had engaged in conduct involving family violence (whether or not the family violence was against a person mentioned in paragraph (c)).

(5) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:

(a) the applicant is a member of the family unit of a person (the secondary applicant) who meets the requirements of subclause (3) or (4); and

(b) the applicant has made a combined application with either the secondary applicant or the primary applicant mentioned in subclause (3) or (4) (whichever applies to the secondary applicant); and

(c) a Subclass 186 visa has since been granted to the secondary applicant. Note: For special provisions relating to family violence, see Division 1.5.

186.312A

Either:

(b) both of the following apply:

(i) the Minister is satisfied that the applicant has engaged in such conduct in that period;

(ii) the Minister considers that it is reasonable to disregard the conduct.

186.313

(1) The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B, 4004, 4010, 4020 and 4021.

(2) If the applicant had turned 18 at the time of application, the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4019.

(3) If the applicant has not turned 18, the applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4017 and 4018.

(4) If:

(a) the primary applicant mentioned in clause 186.311 in relation to the applicant holds a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream; or

(b) at the time of the application, the primary applicant mentioned in clause 186.311 in relation to the applicant was seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream;

the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4007.

(5) If subclause (4) does not apply, the applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4005.

186.314

The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

186.315

(1) This clause applies if the applicant (the secondary applicant) meets the requirements of subclause 186.311(4).

(2) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies:

(a) public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B, 4004, 4010 and 4020; and

(b) special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

(3) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa and who has turned 18 at the time of application satisfies public interest criterion 4019.

(4) Public interest criteria 4015 and 4016 are satisfied in relation to each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa and who has not turned 18 at the time of application.

(5) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4003B and 4004.

Temporary Residence Transition stream

(6) If the primary applicant mentioned in clause 186.311 was seeking to satisfy the criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream at the time of application:

(a) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4007; and

(b) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4007 unless it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

Direct Entry stream

(7) If the primary applicant mentioned in clause 186.311 was seeking to satisfy the criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream at the time of application:

(a) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005; and

(b) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

Labour Agreement stream

(8) If the primary applicant mentioned in clause 186.311 was seeking to satisfy the criteria for a Subclass 186 visa in the Labour Agreement stream at the time of application:

(a) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005; and

(b) each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 186 visa satisfies public interest criterion 4005 unless it would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion.

186.4—Circumstances applicable to grant

186.411

The applicant may be in or outside Australia when the visa is granted, but not in immigration clearance. Note: The second instalment of visa application charge must be paid before the visa can be granted.

186.5—When visa is in effect

186.511

Permanent visa permitting the holder to travel to and enter Australia for 5 years from the date of grant.

186.6—Conditions

186.611

If the applicant is outside Australia when the visa is granted:

(a) first entry must be made before the date specified by the Minister; and

(b) if the applicant satisfies the secondary criteria for the grant of the visa, condition 8515 may be imposed.

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