To qualify for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Direct Entry stream, you must be under 45 years old on the date you lodge, be nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, hold a positive skills assessment, meet Competent English standards, and satisfy health and character requirements — unless a specific exemption applies to your circumstances. Meet all of these and this stream grants permanent residency directly, letting you live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
Skilled visa income thresholds are increasing in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. Always check the Department’s current indexed figures before you or your employer finalise an offer.
The Direct Entry stream is the pathway most people picture when they think of “employer sponsorship” to Australian permanent residency — an eligible employer nominates you for a genuine skilled role, and you move straight to PR without first spending years on a temporary visa. Understanding the Australia 186 visa Direct Entry requirements in full — not just the headline criteria — is what separates a smooth approval from a delayed or refused application. The requirements below are drawn directly from the Department of Home Affairs’ own criteria for this stream.
Australia 186 Visa Direct Entry Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What’s needed |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 on the date you lodge, unless exempt |
| Occupation | Must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Work experience | At least 3 years relevant experience, unless exempt |
| Skills assessment | Positive assessment from the relevant authority, unless exempt |
| English | Competent English (dependents 18+ need at least Functional English) |
| Nomination | Active nomination from an approved Australian employer |
| Health & character | Must meet the Department’s standard requirements |
| Other | Sign the Australian Values Statement; no unpaid debt to government; no prior visa cancellation or refusal |
What You Can Do With This Visa
Once granted, the Subclass 186 Direct Entry visa lets you:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme
- Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- Travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
This is a permanent visa — you become a permanent resident on the day it’s granted (or, if you’re outside Australia when granted, on the day you enter the country on this visa). Note that newly arrived residents may have to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Australia 186 Visa Direct Entry Requirements: The Full Eligibility Checklist
1. Have an Eligible Occupation
Your nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
2. Have Relevant Work Experience
Unless exempt, most applicants need at least 3 years of relevant work experience in their occupation. Applicants who are exempt from the skills assessment requirement are also exempt from the work experience requirement.
3. Licensing, Registration or Membership
You must be licensed, registered, or a member of the relevant professional body if this is mandatory in the state or territory you intend to work in.
4. Have a Positive Skills Assessment
Most applicants need a skills assessment showing they have the skills to work in the nominated position, from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.
5. Be Nominated
You need an active nomination from an approved Australian employer for the position. The Department must approve your employer’s nomination before your visa can be granted.
6. Meet the Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years old on the date you lodge your application, unless exempt. A small number of exemption categories exist — check your specific circumstances against the Department’s current criteria rather than assuming an exemption applies.
7. Meet the Health Requirement
You and any family members applying with you must meet the Department’s health requirement. You may also be asked for health information about family members who are not coming to Australia with you.
8. Meet the Character Requirement
You and any family members aged 16 or over who apply with you must meet the character requirement. The Department may also ask for character information about family not coming to Australia with you.
9. Sign the Australian Values Statement
Applicants are required to sign the Australian Values Statement as part of the application.
10. Meet the English Language Requirement
You must have at least Competent English to be granted this stream. Any dependent applicant aged 18 or over on the day you apply should provide evidence they have at least Functional English. If they can’t show Functional English, you’ll need to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge when asked.
11. Have Paid Back Any Debt to the Australian Government
If you owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back, or have a formal arrangement in place to pay it back.
12. Not Have Had a Visa Cancelled or a Previous Application Refused
This is assessed as part of your overall eligibility for the visa.
Cost
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | From AUD 6,140.00 |
| Second instalment (family member 18+ with less than Functional English) | AUD 4,890.00 |
| Other possible costs | Health checks, police certificates, biometrics |
Concessions apply in limited circumstances. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application — this is recognised via the valid passport used in the application, and eligible family members receive the same concession based on the primary applicant’s passport. Eligible countries include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Use the Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator to see what your specific application will cost — note that it does not factor in the second instalment or other associated costs.
Including Family Members
You can include family members in your application when you apply, or add them later before a decision is made. For this visa, family members are:
- Your partner
- Your dependent child or stepchild
- Your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
- The dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
You can also include a Subclass 482 visa holder if they were granted that visa as a member of your family — they must hold the eligible visa and be included in your application. Family members who apply with you must meet health and character requirements; family members who don’t apply with you may also need to meet these requirements.
Applying From Onshore or Offshore
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply, but not in immigration clearance. If applying from inside Australia, you must hold a substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A, B or C. You can be inside or outside Australia when the Department decides on your application.
Processing Times
The Department doesn’t guarantee a fixed processing time — for an indication, use its visa processing time guide tool, which shows processing times for recently decided applications. This is a guide only and isn’t specific to your case.
Your application can take longer to process if:
- You don’t fill it in correctly
- You don’t include all the required documents, or the Department needs more information from you
- It takes time to verify the information provided
Applications lodged with all necessary supporting documents (“complete applications”) can generally be processed more quickly.
Your Obligations After the Visa Is Granted
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws. Specific to this visa, you’re expected to:
- Work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years if your visa is granted
- Begin that employment within 6 months of entering Australia (if granted the visa outside Australia), or within 6 months of the visa grant date (if granted the visa while already in Australia)
Travel and Visa Label
From the date the visa is granted, you can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. After that period, you’ll need a Resident Return (RRV) visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. If you leave Australia after your travel facility expires without holding another permanent visa with a valid travel facility, you might not be able to return as a permanent resident — use VEVO to check when your travel condition ends.
Australian visas are digital — you will not receive a physical label in your passport.
How the Application Process Works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Before you apply | Confirm your eligibility and your employer’s nomination status |
| 2. Gather your documents | Collect evidence for occupation, skills assessment, work experience, English and identity |
| 3. Apply for the visa | Lodge your application online through ImmiAccount |
| 4. After you apply | Respond to any requests and track what you can and must do while it’s assessed |
| 5. Visa outcome | The Department must approve your employer’s nomination before your visa can be granted; you’ll be notified in writing of the decision |
If your visa is granted, you’ll be told your visa grant number, the date your visa starts, and your visa conditions — keep a copy of the decision. If refused, you’ll be told why and whether you have a right to review. The visa application charge is not refunded if your application is refused.
Getting Help With Your Application
If you’re getting help with your visa application, the Department recommends checking who is authorised to give immigration assistance before you pay anyone for that help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for the 186 visa Direct Entry stream?
You must be under 45 years old, have a positive skills assessment and 3 years of full-time work experience, hold Competent English, and be nominated by an active Australian employer for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. You must also meet health, character and other requirements.
How much does the 186 Direct Entry visa cost?
The visa costs from AUD 6,140.00 for the main applicant, with an additional charge for each family member included. A second instalment of AUD 4,890.00 applies for any family member aged 18 or over who has less than Functional English.
What obligations do I have once granted the 186 Direct Entry visa?
You are expected to work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years if the visa is granted, and to begin that employment within 6 months of entering Australia or of the visa grant date if you were already onshore.
Can I travel overseas once I have the 186 visa?
Yes. From the date the visa is granted, you can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. After that period, you need a Resident Return (RRV) visa to travel and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Can I apply for the 186 Direct Entry visa from inside Australia?
Yes. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply, as long as you are not in immigration clearance. If applying onshore, you must hold a substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A, B or C.
Not Sure You Meet the Australia 186 Visa Direct Entry Requirements?
Between occupation lists, skills assessments, age rules and post-grant obligations, it’s easy to miss a requirement that later causes a delay or refusal. Speak with a registered migration agent to check your eligibility against the current criteria before you or your employer lodge.
