Route comparison
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| Field | 🇦🇺AustraliaAustralia Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): 2026 Guide |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia (AU) |
| Route | Australia Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): 2026 Guide |
| Route family | Other |
| Route type | employer sponsored |
| Summary | Guide to Australia's permanent subclass 186 employer-nominated visa, including Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition criteria. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-16 |
| Official/supporting source count | 4 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Income requirement | No personal minimum income is listed. The employer must meet nomination requirements, including the applicable salary and employment conditions for the nominated position; verify the current threshold and market salary rules before nomination.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Savings requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | Home Affairs currently lists the base charge from AUD 6,140; additional applicant charges, nomination/sponsorship costs and any surcharge are separate. Confirm the full amount in the estimator at lodgement.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Processing time | Home Affairs publishes an indicative, changing processing-time guide. Actual time varies by stream, completeness, checks and caseload; no fixed decision deadline is guaranteed.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | Permanent visa. The travel facility is generally five years; a Resident Return visa may be needed for overseas travel after it expires if the holder is not an Australian citizen.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Eligible family members may be included, subject to family-unit, health and character requirements; additional visa charges may apply.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Spouse work rights | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | The permanent visa permits work in Australia. The nominated position and visa stream conditions govern the sponsored job; permanent residence is not a general restriction to one employer for all future work.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Application location | An Australian employer must lodge an eligible nomination, followed by the applicant's visa application through Home Affairs' online system. Stream-specific requirements and any onshore eligibility limits should be checked before lodgement.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | Subclass 186 is a permanent visa and grants Australian permanent residence when granted.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Citizenship pathway | A permanent visa holder may apply for Australian citizenship if they separately satisfy residence and other citizenship requirements; citizenship is not automatic.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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