Navigating Direct PR in Australia: The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme in 2026

Do You Remember? 

The day you left Nepal. Your mother was crying. Your father was trying to be strong. And you had big dreams in your eyes. Now you are here. Working long shifts, saving every dollar, and sending money home for Dashain. It is not easy. Some days are easy, some are hard, while on some nights you still might miss the smell of simple “Daal Bhat” made by your mother. 

But you keep going. Because there is a dream. 

 A dream life where you no longer want to survive in Australia but want to belong there. A life where your children can study without visa worries. A life where you can finally breathe. At Emigrate Lawyers, we have walked this path with hundreds of Nepali families. We know the journey. And today, we want to help you understand the Subclass 186 Visa, one of the most direct roads to PR in 2026. 

What is the 186 Visa? 

The Subclass 186 Visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) is permanent residency for skilled workers. But here is the key, you cannot do this alone. An Australian employer must sponsor you. They must say that we need this person and we want them to work for us.  

Think of it as a partnership where,  

• Your employer applies for nomination (permission to sponsor you). 

• You apply for the visa. 

• Both applications must succeed. (If one fails, both fail.) 

  
  

Employer Nomination means your employer is saying to the Australian Government, "I want this person to work for me permanently. Please give me permission to sponsor them for PR." The government then checks if the business is real? If the job is genuine? Also, if they can pay the required salary or not? 

If the government says your employer has been "approved" to nominate you. Then you can apply for the visa. Also, when your employer nominates you, make sure that the job duties match the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) description for your nominated code.   

FEW Core Points to remember in the 186 Visa 

• Occupation Lists: Your occupation must be on either the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), which is most common for the 186, or the STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List). 

• Salary Threshold: If applicants apply under the Direct Entry or TRT stream, the salary must meet the new Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). 

Application Date	Salary Threshold (Direct & TRT)	DAMA (with 10% concession)
Before 1 July 2026	$76,515 per year	$68,863.50
On or after 1 July 2026	$79,499 per year	$71,549

Note: This is your base salary only. Superannuation, bonuses, and overtime do not count toward this threshold. 

• The SAF Levy (Your employer must pay a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy). 

• Businesses under $10M turnover: $3,000 

• Over $10M turnover: $5,000. 

If they try to deduct this from your salary, it is against the law. Moving on, let's explore the Two-Step Process involved in 186 visa types. This is how Sponsorship Works for under 186 Visa type. 

The Two-Step Process: How Sponsorship Works in 186 visa 

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa is a popular pathway to permanent residency in Australia for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer. Here are few steps that explains how sponsorship actually works in 186 visa:

Step 1: Employer Nomination 

Your employer must apply to the government for permission to sponsor you. They must prove: 

• Their business is real and legal 

• Your job is genuine (not made up for visa purposes) 

• They can pay you the required salary 

• They have followed all sponsorship rules 

The 2026 Reality: The Department is very strict about the "Genuine Position" test. If a small business nominates you for a marketing role, we must prove that role is actually needed. It's not just about submitting forms. 

Step 2: Your Visa Application 

Once your employer lodges the nomination, you apply for the visa. You send in: 

• Your passport and photos 

• Skills assessment (for Direct Entry) 

• English test results 

• Work references 

• Police clearance (from Australia and Nepal) 

• Health checks 

Note:  Both applications happen together. Your nomination and visa application must both succeed. 

3 Pathways to the 186 Visa You Should Know Before Opportunities Close

The 186 visa is not "one-size-fits-all." Depending on where you are in your journey, one of these three streams might be your path. 

1. The Direct Entry Stream (Onshore & Offshore) 

This is for people with skills who want PR immediately. Whether you are in Nepal or Sydney, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply. 

• What you need: 3 years of work experience, a Positive skills assessment, under 45 years old, proficient English, and a nominating employer. 

What is a Positive Skills Assessment? 

An official Australian organisation checks your qualifications and experience to issue a letter stating you are "suitable" for your occupation. 

• IT professionals: Australian Computer Society (ACS) 

• Nurses: ANMAC 

• Chefs and Trades: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) 

• Engineers: Engineers Australia 

Note: During the skills assessment, the authority checks whether your experience matches the ANZSCO occupation you chose. If it does not, your visa is at stake. Also, If you are granted this visa, you receive PR immediately. 

2. The TRT Stream (For Onshore 482 Visa Holders) 

Most of our community starts on a 482 (Skills in Demand Visa). After working for 2 years with your sponsor, you can apply for PR. 

• What you need: Hold a 482 visa for 2 years with the same employer, under 45 years old, and meet English requirements. 

• Note: The government reduced this requirement from 3 years to 2 years in 2026. 

3. Labour Agreement & DAMA  

A Labour Agreement is a formal arrangement conducted between an Australian employer and the Department of Home Affairs . Here, the occupation may not necessarily be on the normal skilled list. 

There are 4 different types of Labour Agreement, one being “DAMA”.  

DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement. It's a special deal between the government and regional areas that need workers.  

The good part of DAMAs are if you are over 45 yrs and want to apply for a 186 visa then DAMA could be your best option as , it offer concessions (special benefits) like,  

• Benefit in terms of age: Can apply up to 55 yrs 

• Benefit on Salary: The salary threshold can be 10% less than normal requirement 

• Benefit on English: Lower scores are accepted for some jobs 

• Benefit on Job Option: Some jobs that are not on city lists(Jobs Australia needs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) are available here.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the Subclass 186 Visa in Australia?

The Subclass 186 Visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, allows skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Australia if they are nominated by an approved Australian employer. Once granted, the visa holder can live and work in Australia permanently.

Q2. How many pathways are available for the 186 Visa?

There are three main pathways under the Subclass 186 Visa:

• Direct Entry Stream

• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

• Labour Agreement Stream (including DAMA arrangements)

Each stream has different eligibility requirements depending on your work experience and current visa status.

Q3. Do I need an employer to apply for the 186 Visa?

Yes. An Australian employer must nominate you before you can apply for the visa. The employer must prove that the position is genuine and that they can pay the required salary according to government regulations.

Q4. What is the age limit for the 186 Visa?

Generally, applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. However, certain exemptions may apply under specific labour agreements or regional arrangements.

Q5. How much salary is required for the 186 Visa?

The salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) set by the Australian Government. This ensures that sponsored workers are paid fairly according to Australian market standards.

The Final Message for Our Nepali Community 

We know you are not just looking for a visa. You are looking for a place where your children can go to school without worry. A place where you can finally buy a home. A place where you belong.  You have come so far. All the long shifts, the festivals you missed, and those sleepless nights are finally paying off as they have brought you to this moment. The 186 visa is more than a piece of paper. It is the bridge between the life you left and the life you are creating.  

At Emigrate Lawyers, we do not just process your case. We sit with you and plan your future together. We make sure your application is perfect without a pile of confusing papers. Since you left Nepal with big dreams, those dreams are closer than you think. 

So, let's walk the last mile together.

Need Legal Help or Consultation?

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to the legal matter, please contact us at:

Emigrate Lawyers

Email: info@emigratelawyers.com

WhatsApp: 0458 745 646

Phone: 1300 807 134

Text Us: 0483 959 572

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Writer: Kusum Parajuli

Position: Legal Officer at Emigrate Lawyers

Licensed Advocate of Nepal