Employer Nomination Scheme visa
subclass 186 · Official name: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
A permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. There are three streams: Temporary Residence Transition (for 482 or 457 holders with usually 2 years of full-time sponsored work in the last 3 years), Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement. Applicants usually must be under 45 and have at least competent English. It costs from AUD6,140.00.
1 entry rule for Australia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Health screening after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list) in the last 6 days
Travellers over 1 year entering Australia within 6 days of staying overnight or longer in a yellow fever risk country are asked for a valid yellow fever certificate; entry is not refused without one. Without one: not refused entry: may be referred to a biosecurity officer and given information/an action card; must promptly seek medical assessment if symptoms develop within 6 days of leaving the risk place.
Australian Government Department of Health: Yellow fever Australian Government: Yellow fever fact sheet (holds Australia's list of risk countries and areas) Australian Immunisation Handbook: Yellow fever WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia): Human health – advice to travellers Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Australia
Finance
3
Currency
Australian Dollar
AUD
Australian Dollar
Cost of living
94
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–45%
Income tax (national)
GST 10%
2026-27: first AUD 18,200 tax-free; 45% above AUD 190,000. Plus 2% Medicare levy.
Living
1
Happiness
#15 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Skilled workers with an Australian employer willing to nominate them, often after working on a Skills in Demand (482) visa.
Eligibility
Employer nomination
Sign in to check this route against your profileAn Australian employer with an actively and lawfully operating business must nominate you, and you must apply within 6 months of approval.
- Skilled visa income thresholds were indexed from 1 July 2026
Official wording
An Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia must nominate the applicant; the visa application must be made within 6 months of the nomination being approved. Skilled visa income thresholds were indexed from 1 July 2026.
Temporary Residence Transition streamTRT stream
Sign in to check this route against your profileHold a 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa and have 2 years of full-time sponsored work in your nominated occupation.
2 years
Work experience needed · in the 3 years before applying
- Work must be in the occupation your 457/482 was granted for
- Employer who last sponsored you must nominate you
Official wording
Hold a 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa; at least 2 years of full-time eligible sponsored employment in Australia in the 3 years before applying, in the occupation the 457/482 was granted for; nominated by the employer who last sponsored the applicant.
Direct Entry streamDirect Entry
Sign in to check this route against your profileYour occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations, and you need at least competent English.
- Applies to the Direct Entry stream
Official wording
Occupation on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations and at least competent English.
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- Next requirement
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