Employer Nomination Visa 186: Document Checklist 2026

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer. The two main pathways are the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, for eligible 482 (or eligible bridging visa, or earlier 457) holders who've worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years full time while holding that visa, and the Direct Entry (DE) stream, for applicants without that visa history who instead need a skills assessment. A Labour Agreement stream also exists for employers covered by a formal labour agreement. Your employer's nomination also needs to have been approved within the 6 months before you apply — check the current requirements on the Department's website, since eligibility settings for this stream have changed more than once.

Employer nomination evidence

• Nomination approval letter from the Department — approved within the 6 months before you apply
• Current employment contract or offer letter with your sponsoring employer

TRT stream: qualifying employment evidence

For the Temporary Residence Transition stream, you generally need to prove at least 2 years of full-time work in eligible sponsored employment with the nominating employer while holding a 482 (or earlier 457) visa, in the nominated occupation.

• Your previous 482 or 457 visa grant letter
• Evidence of the qualifying employment period with your approved sponsor — payslips, employment contracts, and continuous employment records covering that time

Direct Entry stream: skills and qualifications

• Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority — required for the Direct Entry stream (Skills & qualifications category)
• Academic qualifications and transcripts
• Employment reference letters demonstrating your relevant experience
• Payslips or bank statements supporting claimed employment

English language evidence

• IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English results, or evidence of an applicable exemption
• Confirm your test result is still within its validity window

Income threshold

Nomination for the 186 requires meeting the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), the same annually indexed threshold that applies to the 482 and 494 visas. From 1 July 2026, CSIT rises to $79,499, applying to nominations lodged on or after that date — a nomination lodged earlier is assessed against the prior year's figure. Confirm the current threshold before your employer submits the nomination, since it's reviewed every year.

Identity documents

• Passport bio-data page
• Birth certificate
• Change of name document, if applicable

Health and character

• Health examination through an approved panel physician
• Police clearance certificate(s) from every country you've lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16
• Form 80 — Personal Particulars

If you're already in Australia

If you're applying onshore, you'll also need evidence of your current Australian residential address.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the TRT qualifying employment period is a fixed rule that never changes — it has been reduced before and eligibility settings continue to be reviewed
• Letting the employer's nomination approval fall outside the 6-month window before you apply
• Applying under Direct Entry without a current, valid skills assessment for the nominated occupation
• Missing Form 80 as part of the character assessment
• Gaps in payslip or employment continuity records for the TRT stream that aren't explained

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between TRT and Direct Entry?

TRT is for applicants who already hold (or held) a 482 or 457 visa with their nominating employer and have worked at least 2 years full time in eligible sponsored employment — it doesn't require a separate skills assessment. Direct Entry is for applicants without that visa history, and requires a positive skills assessment instead.

Can my employer nominate me before I meet the TRT qualifying period?

The nomination needs to be approved within the 6 months before you apply, and you generally need to have already met the qualifying employment period at that point — check current processing guidance with your employer or a registered migration agent if you're close to the threshold rather than assuming early lodgement is accepted.