Subclass 186
The permanent employer-sponsored visa. Three streams: Temporary Residence Transition for workers already on a 482, Direct Entry for offshore skilled workers, and Labour Agreement for businesses with an agreement in place. Grants permanent residency on approval.
At a glance
Streams
3
TRT, Direct Entry, Labour Agreement
Visa type
PR
Permanent on grant
Age limit
Age limitStream-dependent exemptions apply
Family included
Yes
Partner and dependent children
Cost
Costs split into three categories. Final quote confirmed at consultation.
Government application fees
Visa application charge, paid to Home Affairs at lodgement.
Visa application chargeSkilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
Paid at nomination. Depends on business turnover.
SAF levy (one-off)Professional fees (ICS)
Fixed quote covering nomination and visa application drafting and lodgement.
Professional feesIndicative total — at consultation
Indicative total — at consultation186 generally costs more than 482 because the SAF levy is higher for permanent nomination. We confirm the exact figure once we know your business turnover.
Streams
The three streams have very different evidence requirements. The right stream depends on the worker's current visa status and work history with your business.
Stream 1
For workers currently on a 482 (or its predecessor TSS) who have worked with the same sponsor for a qualifying period. The fastest and simplest 186 stream because the worker is already vetted.
Qualifying periodStream 2
For skilled workers who are not transitioning from a 482. More documentation than TRT — skills assessment required, plus a work experience minimum.
Stream 3
For businesses with a labour agreement or DAMA. Opens access to occupations, age, or salary concessions not available in the standard streams.
Eligibility
Sponsor and nomination requirements fall on the business. These are the requirements that fall on the worker:
Direct Entry has the highest documentation burden of the three streams. We map a worker's profile to the easiest stream they qualify for.
Timeline
186 processing times vary significantly by stream. TRT is typically faster than Direct Entry because less evidence is required.
Nomination decisionNomination decision
Visa decision (TRT)Visa decision (TRT)
Visa decision (Direct Entry)Visa decision (Direct Entry)
Total end-to-end (TRT)Total end-to-end (TRT)
Occupations
Filtered from the 186 occupation list (LIN 24/093). Use the full directory for cross-visa search.
Honest failure
186 is permanent — the bar is higher than for 482 and refusal hurts more. These are the most common failure modes:
Problem
TRT lodged when the qualifying period isn't met. Direct Entry lodged when the worker is already eligible for TRT (the easier path). Stream choice has a bigger impact on 186 than on 482.
How we mitigate
We map the worker against all three streams before lodging and choose the lowest-friction one they qualify for.
Problem
Qualifications, experience, or English don't satisfy the assessing authority. Stops the application before it starts.
How we mitigate
We confirm the worker's profile against the current authority requirements before any fee is charged. If it won't pass, we tell you up front.
Problem
Home Affairs decides the nominated role wasn't a genuine ongoing position. The bar is higher for permanent nomination than for 482.
How we mitigate
We pressure-test the role and the business case for permanence before lodgement. If it won't pass, we recommend a 482 first instead.
Problem
Existing sponsor with prior 482 workers has a record-keeping or compliance gap. Surfaces at 186 lodgement and can derail the nomination.
How we mitigate
We audit existing sponsor obligations as part of 186 preparation. Gaps get fixed before the nomination goes in, not after.
Pathway from temporary work
Most 186 applications we handle are TRT — workers transitioning from a 482 with their existing sponsor. The transition isn't automatic; it's a separate application that needs planning from the start of the 482.
We plan the TRT pathway at the 482 lodgement, not at the end of it. PR planning is part of the original engagement.
See the 482 visa pageIndustries
186 is the destination for most long-term sponsored workers. We've placed permanent residents across these industries:
30-minute consultations are free and confidential. We'll confirm which 186 stream fits, whether the timeline works for your situation, and what evidence the nomination will need.
Disclaimer. This page is general information only and is not migration advice. Visa rules and thresholds change. For advice on your specific situation, book a consultation with one of our MARA-registered agents. Current Department of Home Affairs information is available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.