Subclass 186

The 186: Permanent Residence for a Worker You Want to Keep.

When you've found someone who's right for your business, the 186 lets you keep them for good. Your worker gets permanent residence and the security that comes with it - and you stop worrying about visa renewals.

Permanent residenceDirect Entry and TRT streamsEmployer-sponsored

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What the 186 Is

The destination the 482 leads to.

The 186 is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Where the 482 is a temporary stay, the 186 is the long-term answer. Your worker gets permanent residence, the security that comes with it, and a path to citizenship.

For a lot of businesses, the 186 is the goal that the 482 leads to. You bring someone in temporarily, they prove themselves, and then you lock them in permanently.

The Two Main Streams

Two routes depending on how your worker got here.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)

For Workers Already With You

For workers who've already been with you on a sponsored visa like the 482 for the required period. Because they've proven they can do the job, it's often the most natural route to permanent residence.

Direct Entry

Straight to PR

For workers who haven't gone through a transition period - often someone with strong skills you want to bring straight into a permanent role. It has more demanding skills assessment and experience requirements.

If your worker is on a 482, plan the timing carefully. The move to the 186 through the TRT stream depends on how long they've worked for you and how their visa is set up. Getting the timing and paperwork right keeps the path smooth.

TRT vs Direct Entry

The two streams, side by side.

Both streams lead to the same place - permanent residence for your worker. The difference is the route they take to get there, the skills bar they have to clear, and how their time with you counts. Here is how they compare.

Consideration	Temporary Residence Transition	Direct Entry
Who it suits	A worker already with you on a sponsored visa such as the 482 who has completed the required period in the role.	An external hire, or a worker without the qualifying period with you - someone brought straight into a permanent role.
Skills bar	Generally lighter, because the worker has already proven they can do the job in your business.	More demanding - a formal skills assessment and set work experience are usually required.
Prior time with you	Required - the worker needs the qualifying period on the sponsored visa before the transition.	Not required - this is the route when there is no qualifying period to draw on.
Typical processing	Once the nomination is in, the visa decision generally takes around 3 to 4 months, depending on your case and how complete the application is. Times move with Departmental demand, so treat this as a guide, not a promise.
Outcome	Both streams grant permanent residence, with a path to citizenship once the worker meets the separate citizenship requirements.

There is no locked government price for the 186 here. Government charges sit separately from our professional fee, and what applies depends on your nominee and stream. We set our fee out in writing before you commit - see how we quote.

Which Stream Fits

Work out your stream in a few questions.

This is a starting point, not a decision. We confirm the right stream for your nominee at the assessment stage, because the detail of how their visa is set up changes the answer.

Is your worker already with you on a sponsored visa like the 482? If no, the Direct Entry stream is the likely route - go to question 3.

Have they completed the required period in the role with you? If yes, the Temporary Residence Transition stream is generally the most natural route. If not yet, we help you plan the timing so the path stays smooth.

Can the worker meet a formal skills assessment and the experience requirement? Direct Entry has a higher bar. If there is any doubt, we check it before you commit, because getting the stream right is what keeps the nomination clean. Often the 482 employer sponsorship route first, then a TRT transition, is the steadier path.

What You'll Need

The core requirements.

Your business approved to nominateFor a full-time, ongoing, skilled position that genuinely needs to be filled on a permanent basis.
A worker who meets the skills and experience requirementsIncluding the right qualifications for the stream, competent English, and appropriate work experience.
The worker under the age limitUnless an exemption applies. We check this for your specific situation.
Health and character requirementsThe worker needs to meet the standard health and character requirements for a permanent visa.

Common Questions

Common questions.

Does my worker need to be on a 482 first?

Not always. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for workers who've been with you on a sponsored visa for the required period, but the Direct Entry stream is for workers coming in fresh - or from a different sponsor - with the right skills and experience. Which stream applies depends on your situation, and we'll confirm it upfront.

Is there an age limit?

Generally the worker needs to be under the applicable age limit when they apply, but there are exemptions for certain situations and occupations. Age is one of the factors we check at the assessment stage, because getting it wrong delays everything. We confirm the current age rules for your specific nominee before you commit.

Can the worker change jobs after the 186 is granted?

The 186 is permanent residence, so legally your worker isn't bound to your business indefinitely once it's granted. That said, the nomination has to be for a genuine ongoing role, and the worker is expected to work in that role at grant. The obligation to continue in the role has been clarified over time - we explain the current position clearly.

What if my 186 nomination is refused?

A refused nomination can often be reviewed at the Administrative Review Tribunal, and many refusals are overturned with better evidence. The most common issue is something fixable in how the case was put. We assess whether review or a fresh nomination is the better path, and move quickly because your worker's status may be affected.

How long does it typically take to get a 186 approved after nomination?

Once the nomination is lodged, the visa decision generally takes around 3 to 4 months, depending on your case and how complete the application is. The Temporary Residence Transition stream can move more smoothly where the worker is already proven with you, while Direct Entry can take longer because of the skills assessment. Processing times shift with Departmental demand, so we treat these as a guide rather than a promise and confirm the current position at your assessment.

What happens if our sponsorship approval expires or is cancelled during a nomination?

A lapse or cancellation in your sponsorship standing can put a nomination at risk, so it pays to keep your status in good order throughout. Maintaining your approval, and considering accredited sponsor status if you sponsor regularly, helps avoid this. If a cancellation has already happened, there may be a review path at the Administrative Review Tribunal depending on the decision. We review where you stand and the options before anything is lodged.

Can we sponsor more than one worker on the 186 at the same time?

Yes. There is no set limit on how many workers your business can nominate, and each nomination is assessed on its own merits - the genuine ongoing role, the worker's skills, and your capacity to sponsor. We can manage several nominations together so the paperwork and timing stay coordinated rather than tripping over each other.

Is the 186 faster than the points-based skilled visas like 189, 190 or 491?

They work differently. The points-based skilled visas depend on the worker's points and an invitation round, which the worker cannot fully control. The 186 puts the path under your control as the employer - if the worker is already proven with you, the Temporary Residence Transition stream is often the more direct route to permanent residence. It is not automatically faster in every case, and there are trade-offs, so we compare both against your nominee's situation before you commit.

What will the 186 cost us?

It depends on your circumstances - the stream, the number of applicants, and what the role needs. Government charges sit separately from our professional fee, and we set our fee out in writing before you commit so there are no surprises. You can see how we approach this on our fees and how we quote page.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Temporary step firstSkills in Demand 482The 482 is often the path that leads to a 186 nomination.Nomination refused?Sponsorship AppealsRefused nominations can often be reviewed at the ART.All employer optionsEmployer Sponsored HubSee every employer-sponsored pathway from the top.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

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