Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186)

This visa allows you and your secondary applicants included in your visa application to live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. This visa does not have a points test.

This visa allows you and your secondary applicants to travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date it is issued. If you and your secondary applicants want to travel abroad and re-enter Australia after the visa expires, you and your secondary applicants must get the requisite Resident Return Visa.

Eligibility – you:

  • are nominated by an approved employer;
  • are under 45 years of age at the time you are invited to submit your visa application;
  • meet the requirements, including skills and qualifications requirements and English language requirements, of the stream under which you are applying for the visa*;
  • and your secondary applicants pass health examinations; and
  • and your secondary applicants pass police checks for each country you and your secondary applicants have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years since turning 16 years of age.

* Stream requirements –:

  • Direct Entry stream:
    • you have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list that is closely related to your skills and qualifications;
    • you pass a skills assessment for your nominated occupation;
    • you have at least 3 years of relevant work experience; and
    • you have competent English language skills (e.g. a minimum score of 6 in each of the 4 components (viz. speaking, reading, listening and writing) in a single International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test taken no more than 3 years before you submit your visa application)#.
  • Labour Agreement stream:
    • you meet the age, skills and English language requirements stated in the labour agreement which your approved employer has made with the Australian Government.

# Not required if you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or United States of America.

Go back to FAQs on Migration to Australia.


The above content is general in nature and is not intended to address your specific circumstances. We welcome the opportunity to have a chat with you and assist you with your legal issues or concerns. Talk with us and see the difference.

Updated December 2019.