Australia Subclass 186 ENS Employer Nomination PR Visa Guide 2026

2026 Information Notice: This guide is based on official published information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs and relevant government bodies. Visa requirements, application fees, and statutory thresholds change periodically; applicants should verify current requirements on primary government portals before applying.

Comprehensive Statutory Overview

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) is a permanent residency visa issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs under the Migration Act 1958. It allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency across two primary streams: 1) The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, allowing Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) / TSS visa holders to transition to PR after completing at least 2 years of eligible sponsored full-time employment in the 3 years before applying, and 2) The Direct Entry (DE) stream, requiring a positive Skills Assessment (where required) and at least 3 years of full-time relevant employment in the nominated occupation at the required skill level. Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age at lodgement, with age exemptions available for applicants who have worked for their sponsor for at least 2 years while earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD $190,100+ for 2026/2027) for each year of that period. Primary application fees start from AUD $4,770 (subject to Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator). Successful applicants gain permanent residency, enabling Medicare enrolment and a pathway to Australian citizenship subject to residency rules.

Direct Entry vs 2-Year TRT Stream Eligibility Rules

2-Year TRT Stream

Direct Entry Skill & Assessment Rule

At least 3 years of full-time relevant employment in the nominated occupation at the required skill level, plus a positive skills assessment where required on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

AUD $4,770 Primary Charge

Subclass 186 Primary Application Charge

Application fees start from AUD $4,770 for the primary applicant. Exact costs depend on stream and family members; check the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

$190,100+ Age Exemption

High-Income Age Threshold Exemption

Applicants over 45 can qualify for an age exemption if they have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years during the 3 years before applying while earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD $190,100+ for 2026/2027) for each year.

Competent English

Competent English Standard

Must demonstrate Competent English (such as IELTS 6.0 in each band or PTE Academic 50 in each band). Note: Home Affairs does not offer nationality exemptions for the TRT stream English requirement.

Medicare & PR Rights

Medicare Eligibility & PR Status

Subclass 186 permanent residents can enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare, subject to applicable rules, and obtain a 5-year international travel facility.

Employer SAF Levy Mandate & Permanent Resident Rights

Labour Market Testing: LMT requirements depend on nomination circumstances, stream, and applicable exemptions. Applicants and sponsors should check current Home Affairs directives.
SAF Levy Employer Mandate: Under Home Affairs regulations, sponsoring employers are legally responsible for paying the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and nomination charges.
Competent English Floor: All primary applicants must demonstrate Competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 in each band / PTE 50 in each band) at the time of application.
Medicare Eligibility: Subclass 186 permanent residents can enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare, subject to applicable rules.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Transition: Subclass 482 SID visa holders qualify for TRT stream permanent residency after 2 years of eligible sponsored work.
Family Unit Inclusion: Dependent children may be included where they meet applicable family-unit and dependency requirements.
5-Year Travel Facility: Grants an initial 5-year international travel facility from visa grant date; renewed via Subclass 155/157 Resident Return Visa (RRV).
Citizenship Pathway: Time as a permanent resident can count toward the residence requirements for Australian citizenship, subject to citizenship rules.
Annual Market Salary Rate: Employer must pay the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) reflecting local Australian market wages.
Police Clearances (10-Year Rule): Police clearances are required for every country where the applicant spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning age 16.

Frequently Asked Questions (Home Affairs FAQs)

The Home Affairs primary applicant fee starts from AUD $4,770. Applicants should use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for exact charges based on stream and family members.

For 2026/2027 (from 1 July 2026), the Fair Work High Income Threshold is AUD $190,100. Applicants over 45 must have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years during the 3 years before applying and earned at least this threshold for each year.

Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations published by the Department of Home Affairs.

You must have completed at least 2 years of eligible full-time sponsored employment with your nominating employer in the 3 years before applying for the visa.

Yes. Subclass 186 permanent residents can enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare, subject to applicable rules.

No. Home Affairs specifies that there is no nationality exemption for the English language requirement for the TRT stream; all primary applicants must demonstrate Competent English.

No. Under Home Affairs regulations, sponsoring employers are legally responsible for paying the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and nomination charges.

Applicants must provide police clearances for every country where they spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning age 16.

Direct Entry applicants require at least 3 years of full-time relevant employment in the nominated occupation at the required skill level, plus a positive skills assessment where required.

Time spent as a Subclass 186 permanent resident can count toward the residence requirements for Australian citizenship, subject to applicable citizenship rules.

Subclass 186 ENS Application Fees & High-Income Limits

Primary Application Charge (VAC)

AUD $4,770

TRT Sponsored Employment Rule

2 Years Eligible Work in 3 Yrs Before Applying

Direct Entry Experience Standard

3 Years Full-Time at Required Skill Level

Standard Age Exemption Threshold

Fair Work High Income (AUD $190,100+)

Residency Status Granted

Permanent Resident (Medicare Eligible)

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