186 visa requirements - Direct entry stream

1. Direct Entry Stream
2. Temporary Residence Transition stream
3. Labour Agreement Stream

The Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa is for applicants who want to apply for permanent residency in Australia directly through employer sponsorship. You can explore this stream whether you are onshore or offshore. If you currently hold any temporary visa other than the 482 visa and you are hoping to apply for PR directly then this stream is for you.

• Have an occupation in the Core Skills Occupation List
• Be nominated by an approved sponsor
• Have at least 3 years of work experience in the nominated field
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Be paid a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT).
• Have at least 6.0 IELTS or equivalent test scores
• Be under 45 years of age, unless exempt
• Meet health and character requirement

Applicants are required to assess their skills for the nominated occupation, by a relevant assessing authority to demonstrate that the applicant’s qualifications and abilities meet Australian standards.

Exemptions for the skills assessment

• Applicants who are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by a university in Australia.
• Applicants can also be a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist by an Australian government scientific agency.
• Special Category Visa (SC 444) holders or New Zealand Family Relationship visa (SC 461) holders, who have worked for their nominating employer for a minimum of 2 years in the last 3 years before applying for this visa are exempted.

•  Applicants must have been employed in their nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis.
• The experience must correspond to the skill level required by the nominated occupation.
• The three years of work experience required need not be gained in 3 consecutive years or immediately before the visa application
• The total work experience must amount to an average of 38 hours per week over the total period.
• If the applicant is exempt from satisfying the skill assessment requirement then they need not fulfill the work experience requirement either.

Applicants must be under the age of 45 years at the time of application.

Exemptions for the age requirement

• Applicants nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by a university in Australia
• Applicants who are nominated as scientists, researchers, or technical specialists by an Australian government scientific agency or a university.
• Special Category Visa (SC 444) or New Zealand Family Relationship visa (SC 461) visa holders who have worked for the nominating employer for a minimum of 2 years in the last 3 years.