Apply for

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa – Direct Entry Stream

Secure permanent residency in Australia with a genuine job offer from an approved employer, offering long-term stability and full work rights.

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Subclass 186
Overview

Subclass 186 - Direct Entry Stream

Cost: From AUD 4,910

Permanent Residence from Day One

This visa grants immediate permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to live, work, and study indefinitely.

Employer-Sponsored Skilled Migration

Designed for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer for a genuine full-time position.

Suitable for Overseas & Onshore Applicants

Available to applicants inside or outside Australia, provided eligibility criteria are met.

Skills & Experience Focused

Requires a positive skills assessment and relevant work experience in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Family Inclusion

You can include eligible family members (partner and dependent children), who receive the same permanent residence rights.

Clear Pathway to Citizenship

As a permanent resident, you may become eligible for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met.

Eligibility

Subclass 186 - Direct Entry Stream

Criteria
Description
Citizenship

Open to eligible applicants of any nationality (subject to meeting visa criteria)

Age

Must be under the age of 45 at the time of application, unless an exemption applies (as set by relevant policy/instrument).

English test

Must meet the Competent English level.

Dependent family members (18+)

Any dependent applicant who is aged at least 18 years on the day you make your application should provide evidence they have at least functional English. If they cannot show functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge for them when requested.

Visa status / Bridging visa criteria

If applying in Australia, the applicant must hold a lawful visa status at time of lodgement (commonly a substantive visa or eligible bridging visa, where permitted).

Location at lodgement

Can generally be lodged in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance.

Skills assessment (if applicable)

Must have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation unless an exemption applies.

Occupation

The nominated occupation must be an eligible skilled occupation for the Direct Entry stream, as listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for this visa (often referred to as the CSOL – Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List).

Work experience

Must have at least three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation, as per the stream rules; however, applicants who are exempt from the skills assessment requirement are also exempt from this three-year work experience requirement.

Qualification type

Must have qualifications suitable for the nominated occupation/role (often demonstrated through the skills assessment and employment evidence).

Character requirement

Applicants and family members aged 16+ must meet character requirements

Health requirement

Applicants (and any applying family) must meet health requirements.

Study requirements

No mandatory Australian study requirement for this stream (unless relevant to licensing/registration).

Licensing / registration

If the occupation is regulated, the applicant must meet mandatory licensing/registration requirements to work in the relevant state/territory.

Employer nomination

Employers must lodge a valid nomination for a genuine, ongoing full-time position and meet nomination obligations (including salary/market rate alignment where required).

Apply within nomination timeframe

Visa application must be lodged within 6 months of nomination approval.

Health insurance

Not a standard “eligibility” requirement for the permanent visa itself, but applicants should maintain appropriate cover if they are onshore and not yet Medicare-eligible.

Health requirement

Must meet the health requirements; medical examinations may be required.

Character / AFP

Must meet character requirements; police checks may be required (AFP is commonly requested where applicable

Testimonials

We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts

Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.

Knowbal Migration once again delivered excellent results — assisting with a 482 visa previously and now a successful JRP positive skill assessment. The expertise of Nilesh, Mani Raj, Rishav, and Trushen truly stands out. Finding such dedicated and knowledgeable professionals is rare. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Luther Navleen
Chef

Rishavbhai and the Knowbal Group provided exemplary support throughout the 186 PR visa process. Professional, knowledgeable, and patient, Rishav explained every step clearly, ensured accurate documentation, and made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for dependable and honest migration assistance.

Parth Patel
Mechanical Engineer

Highly recommend Knowbal Migration for visa services. Nileshbhai and Niravbhai provided excellent guidance and support for my 482 visa. The team was responsive, patient, and helped me through every step successfully.

Smit Patel

Kunalbhai and Niravbhai at Knowbal Migration provided exceptional support throughout the 482 visa process. They communicated clearly, handled everything professionally, and were consistently available to help with any concerns. Their guidance made what could have been a stressful experience genuinely smooth and manageable. Highly recommended.

Pareshkumar Dixit
Field Technician

The 482 visa was granted thanks to the outstanding support of Sushanti and Shweta at Knowbal Migration. They were professional, approachable, and consistently available to address queries. Their guidance made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for anyone needing migration assistance.

Jay Patel
Chef
How to apply

The Knowbal Visa Application Process

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the biggest difference between 186 Direct Entry and the 186 Temporary Residence Transition pathway?

Direct Entry is for applicants who can meet the eligibility requirements without needing to complete years on a sponsored temporary visa with the same employer first. It’s often used by applicants who already have the required skills of assessment and experience, or who are applying from overseas or from another visa type.

What does “genuine position” really mean and how is it assessed?

A genuine position means the role is real, ongoing, and necessary for the business — not created just for migration. Decision-makers usually look at the business structure, need for the role, duties matching the occupation, salary consistency with the market, and evidence the employer can sustain the position long-term.

My employer is willing to sponsor me — what are the most common reasons the nomination gets delayed?

Delays often happen when the job duties don’t clearly match the nominated occupation, the organisational structure is unclear, business financials are weak or inconsistent, required employment documents are incomplete, or there are inconsistencies between the nomination and visa application details.

Can I include my partner and children in my 186 Direct Entry application?

Yes. Eligible family members can be included in the visa application. The key is to organise family documents early (relationship evidence, dependency evidence, identity documents) so your application stays decision-ready and avoids unnecessary requests for more information. You will also need to pay an extra charge called a second instalment for any family member aged 18 years or older who applies for the visa with you and has less than Functional English. The second instalment for these family members is AUD 4,890 and is only requested after you have met all other requirements for the visa.

What happens if I change roles, salary, or location while the 186 application is being processed?

Significant changes can affect the nomination because the visa is tied to a specific role and conditions. If duties, work location, hours, or salary change, it may require review, updates, or even a new nomination depending on the circumstances. It’s best to get advice before any changes are implemented.

How can I maximise my chance of approval before lodgement?

The strongest applications are built on a clear strategy: correct occupation selection, a well-written position description aligned to the occupation, strong evidence of business need and capacity, consistent employment evidence for the applicant, and clean, organised documentation. Planning the “PR story” before lodgement usually reduces delays and improves confidence in the outcome.

Do I need a skills assessment for Direct Entry, and when should I do it?

The strongest applications are built on a clear strategy: correct occupation selection, a well-written position description aligned to the occupation, strong evidence of business need and capacity, consistent employment evidence for the applicant, and clean, organised documentation. Planning the “PR story” before lodgement usually reduces delays and improves confidence in the outcome.

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