Australia · Work
Australia Employer Nomination 186
Income needed: AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Employer Nomination 186 is a work route for Australia. Applicants need income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k
- Government fees
- AUD 6,140 ≈ $4,270 · +4 more
Cost, time and long term
To apply: 3 government fees listed below; income to show AUD 79k+/yr ≈ $55k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government feesAUD 6,140 ≈ $4,270 · +4 more
- AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270)Base application charge, main applicant.
- AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510)Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026).
- AUD 9,800 (≈ $6,820)Second instalment for a primary applicant aged 18+ without functional English (AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) for a secondary applicant).
- AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140)Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over.
- AUD 1,535 (≈ $1,070)Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18.
Shown, not spentAUD 79k+/yr ≈ $55k
- AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300)Core Skills Income Threshold: minimum earnings for 186 nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 76,515 (≈ $53,300)).
Permanent residenceTime here counts
This is itself a permanent visa. The Temporary Residence Transition stream needs at least 2 years on a 482 or 457 visa and 2 years of full-time work for the approved sponsor in the 3 years before applying.
CitizenshipAfter 4 years of residence
Citizenship by conferral needs 4 years lawfully in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months' total absence in the 4 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
You can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted, as long as you are not in immigration clearance.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Australia
- Some ways in have an age limit
What you'll need
Who can apply6
- Direct Entry stream: the occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List and the applicant has 3 years of relevant experience.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: the applicant holds a 457 or 482 visa and has 2 years of full-time sponsored work in the last 3 years.
- Labour Agreement stream: the employer is party to a labour agreement and the applicant works under it.
- The applicant is under 45 when applying, unless an exemption or the labour agreement says otherwise.
- An Australian employer nominates the applicant and the applicant applies within 6 months of the nomination approval.
- The applicant has at least competent English in the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams.
What you must show2
- Nominated earnings are at least AUD 79,423 (≈ $55,300) a year for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.
- The base application charge is AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) for the main applicant.
Documents1
- Most Direct Entry applicants need a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.
Steps1
- The employer lodges the nomination before the applicant applies.
After you arrive1
- The holder can stay indefinitely, work, study and use Medicare, and can sponsor eligible relatives.
When you become tax resident
How Australia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests.
- Foreign-source income
Temporary residents
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
- Special regime
Temporary resident exemption · Tax relief
All tax rules for Australia Tax records checked
Full official text
Permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer through the Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition or Labour Agreement stream. 1 2 3 4 5 6
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300) · Core Skills Income Threshold: minimum earnings for 186 nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 76,515 (≈ $53,300)). 6
- A fee of AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) · Base application charge, main applicant. 5
- A fee of AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510) · Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). 5
- A fee of AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140) · Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. 5
- A fee of AUD 1,535 (≈ $1,070) · Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. 5
- A fee of AUD 9,800 (≈ $6,820) · Second instalment for a primary applicant aged 18+ without functional English (AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) for a secondary applicant). 5
Requirements
- Direct Entry stream: the occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List and the applicant has 3 years of relevant experience. 3
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: the applicant holds a 457 or 482 visa and has 2 years of full-time sponsored work in the last 3 years. 2
- Labour Agreement stream: the employer is party to a labour agreement and the applicant works under it. 4
- The applicant is under 45 when applying, unless an exemption or the labour agreement says otherwise. 2 3 4
- An Australian employer nominates the applicant and the applicant applies within 6 months of the nomination approval. 3 2
- The applicant has at least competent English in the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams. 3 2
- Nominated earnings are at least AUD 79,423 (≈ $55,300) a year for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. 6
- The base application charge is AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) for the main applicant. 5
- Most Direct Entry applicants need a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation. 3
- The employer lodges the nomination before the applicant applies. 3 2
- The holder can stay indefinitely, work, study and use Medicare, and can sponsor eligible relatives. 2
Stay
- Permanent visa; stay is indefinite. Travel in and out of Australia is allowed for 5 years from grant.
Nationality
Open to all nationalities.
Work
Work and study in Australia without restriction.
Family
Partner, dependent children and stepchildren can be included in the application; a 457 or 482 holder who is a family member can be included too.
Official sources
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Direct Entry stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Labour Agreement stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
Employer Nomination 186 and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination 186 | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | – | – |
| Employer Regional 494 | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 5 yr | Limited |
| Skills in Demand · Core | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Skills in Demand · Labour deal | – | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Skills in Demand · Specialist | Needs income of AUD 147k+ a year ≈ $102k | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Employer Nomination 186?
Income of at least AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300). Core Skills Income Threshold: minimum earnings for 186 nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 76,515 (≈ $53,300)). A fee of AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270). Base application charge, main applicant. A fee of AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510). Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). A fee of AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140). Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over.
How long can I stay on the Employer Nomination 186?
Permanent visa; stay is indefinite.
Can I work on the Employer Nomination 186?
Work and study in Australia without restriction.
Can I bring my family on the Employer Nomination 186?
Partner, dependent children and stepchildren can be included in the application; a 457 or 482 holder who is a family member can be included too.
Does the Employer Nomination 186 lead to permanent residence in Australia?
Time on the Employer Nomination 186 counts toward permanent residence in Australia. Time on the Employer Nomination 186 counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 4 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Employer Nomination 186 holders in Australia?
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income
Tax relief
Details
- On: Most foreign-source income (exempt)
- Who: Hold a temporary visa
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
Taxed on
Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable.
Who it applies to
- Hold a temporary visa.
- Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder).
Exclusions
- Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty.
- Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse.
Tax residence
A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately.
Visas
Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself.
Other taxes
Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD.
Checked against official sources on Change log
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 8 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Direct Entry stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Labour Agreement stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.