The 186 visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely through employer sponsorship. Unlike temporary employer-sponsored pathways, the 186 visa grants permanent residency from the day it is approved.
There are three streams under the Employer Nomination Scheme: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement. Eligible family members can be included in the application, allowing partners and dependent children to obtain permanent residency as well.
At Skylark Migration, your application journey is supported by a dedicated team, led by a former Department of Immigration case officer who understands how employer-sponsored visas are assessed from the inside.
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The stream that applies to you largely depends on your current visa status, work history and your employer’s circumstances. For a more detailed overview, see our guide on securing a 186 visa.
The 186 direct entry visa is designed for skilled workers who may be offshore or already in Australia and do not qualify through the TRT pathway. To be eligible, applicants generally need an occupation on the current 186 visa occupation list (Core Skills Occupation List), at least three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment (where required), competent English. Some age exemptions may apply in limited circumstances. We can guide you through what you need to know for a 186 visa and your eligibility.
The TRT stream is typically for holders of a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa who have worked for their sponsoring employer and are transitioning to permanent residency. Eligible workers can generally access this pathway after completing two years two years of employment under an approved 482 nomination (may be completed across multiple sponsors. Unlike Direct Entry, a skills assessment is usually not required, making TRT the preferred pathway for many existing sponsored workers. If you are unsure, we are happy to help explain new pathways for 482 visa holders.
The Labour Agreement stream applies where an employer has entered into a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government. This includes industry labour agreements, company-specific agreements and designated area migration agreements (DAMAs), which may offer concessions on age, English or occupation requirements. >> Learn more about 482, 494, 186 visas.
While requirements vary slightly between streams, the common 186 visa requirements include:
Current 186 visa processing time estimates vary by stream. As of June 2026, Department processing data indicates approximately:
50% processed in around nine months; 90% processed in around 15 months.
50% processed in around ten months; 90% processed in around 15 months.
50% processed in around eight months; 90% processed in around nine months.
Processing times can be affected by application quality, employer nomination approval, health and character checks, and Department priorities.
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