Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Transition your sponsored workers to PR (186 ENS)

Every 482 worker becomes eligible for permanent residence after two years. A registered migration agent runs the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — Temporary Residence Transition or Direct Entry — so you keep your best people.

Registered (MARA) migration agentsFixed-fee, quoted up frontWe manage your sponsor obligationsEmployer & worker handled end-to-end

Get a fixed-fee quote

Free & no obligation. Takes 60 seconds.

Step 1 of 2 · your situation

Where is your business up to?

How soon do you need to hire / act?

By continuing you agree we may contact you about your enquiry. VisaChief is a technology-enabled platform; advice is provided by registered migration agents.

Who should we send it to?

A registered migration agent will review your case and get back to you.

Step 2 of 2 · your details

Company / organisation

Your role (optional)

Full name

Work email

Phone (recommended)

Best time to reach you

Anything else? (optional)

We help with

Registered migration agents across every employer sponsorship and business-immigration matter.

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Why employers choose VisaChief

Retain your talent

Permanent residence keeps trained staff long-term. We handle the nomination and the employee's visa together.

TRT pipeline managed

We track when each 482 cohort matures so 186 transitions happen on schedule, not late.

Direct Entry too

Highly skilled candidate without prior sponsorship? We assess and lodge the Direct Entry stream.

Age & skills exemptions

We identify TRT age and skills exemptions that keep otherwise-ineligible staff on track.

How it works

Tell us about the employee

Their current visa, role and time with you.

We lodge the 186

TRT or Direct Entry nomination + visa, prepared together.

Permanent hire secured

We manage processing through to grant.

Frequently asked questions

When can our 482 worker apply for the 186?

Under the Temporary Residence Transition stream, generally after two years working for you on the sponsored visa. We calendar each employee's eligibility date.

What's the difference between TRT and Direct Entry?

TRT is for workers you've already sponsored for the qualifying period; Direct Entry is for skilled candidates without that history (with a skills assessment and experience). We advise which applies.

Are there age exemptions for the 186?

Yes — several exemptions can apply (e.g. long-term sponsored workers, high earners, certain occupations). We check every exemption before ruling anyone out.

What does a 186 cost the employer?

Professional fees are typically $4,000–$7,000 per matter plus government charges and SAF levy. We quote a fixed fee up front.