Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. This visa IS permanent residence.
Visa typePermanent
LodgementOnshore or offshore
StayPermanent
Work rightsUnlimited - full PR work rights
Study rightsYes
Government charge~$4,910 (main applicant)
Processing time~5-12 months
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 186 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
Pick the stream deliberately
Temporary Residence Transition (after 2 years on a 482 with the sponsor) or Direct Entry (skills assessment + experience). Mistiming the TRT qualifying period is the classic error - count it from the actual visa dates.
Nomination
The employer nominates a genuine, ongoing, full-time position and evidences capacity to pay the market salary.
Visa application
Age under 45 unless an exemption applies - check the exemption before lodging, not after. Skills assessment for Direct Entry; Competent English.
Health, character, decision
Permanent visa health checks apply to all family members, including non-migrating dependants.
Grant briefing
PR on grant - brief on RRV travel facility and the citizenship residence clock.
3. Eligibility checklist
Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 186 is viable.
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4. Document checklist
The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.
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5. Cost checklist
Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).
Item
Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)
~$4,910 (main applicant)
Skilling Australians Fund levy (paid by the employer, not the client)
Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb
Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June
6. Qualification checklist
Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.
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7. Case studies - eligible cases
Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 186 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Grace from Kenya
Background
Grace, a construction project manager from Kenya. Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent role.
Why it qualified
(1) Employer nomination of an eligible, genuine, full-time position. (2) Temporary Residence Transition (from a 482/TSS) or Direct Entry stream. (3) Relevant skills and experience; skills assessment for Direct Entry.
What made the file strong
Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~5-12 months).
Grant: Daniel from Malaysia
Background
Daniel, a medical laboratory scientist from Malaysia. Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent role.
Why it qualified
(1) Employer nomination of an eligible, genuine, full-time position. (2) Temporary Residence Transition (from a 482/TSS) or Direct Entry stream. (3) Relevant skills and experience; skills assessment for Direct Entry.
What made the file strong
Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~5-12 months).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Mei from Nigeria
Background
Mei, a chef from Nigeria, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 186.
What went wrong
Mistiming the Temporary Residence Transition qualifying period
Outcome
The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent
Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.
Refusal: Amir from Indonesia
Background
Amir, an ICT business analyst from Indonesia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 186.
What went wrong
A negative Direct Entry skills assessment
Outcome
The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent
Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.
9. Self-exam
10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.