Subclass 186 visa document checklist (Employer Nomination Scheme)

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa for a skilled worker nominated by an Australian employer. This checklist is a starting point as at November 2026; confirm each item on the Home Affairs subclass 186 page before lodging.

Streams

• Temporary Residence Transition stream: for holders of a temporary skilled visa moving to permanent residence with their employer. There is no separate occupation list: eligibility follows the occupation of the most recent temporary skilled visa.
• Direct Entry stream: for applicants who have not held the required temporary skilled visa. A skills assessment is needed unless an exemption applies.
• Labour Agreement stream: for employers with a labour agreement, which can give concessions.

Key points (as at November 2026)

• The nominated position must be available for at least 2 years after the visa is granted.
• The Core Skills Income Threshold applies to nominations lodged on or after 7 December 2024. See salary requirements.

Documents from the employer

• The approved nomination for the position
• Employment contract showing the position, duties and salary

Documents from the applicant

• Identity: passport bio page and birth certificate; evidence of any change of name
• Work: resume; employment references confirming duties, dates and hours; payslips
• Qualifications: degree certificates and transcripts, or other qualifications for the occupation
• Skills assessment: for the Direct Entry stream, unless exempt
• Registration or licence: if the occupation requires one in Australia
• English: a test result that meets the visa's English requirement, unless exempt
• Character: Police certificates from each country where the applicant has spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16, including an Australian Federal Police check where it applies
• Health: Health examinations, when Home Affairs asks for them
• Family members: identity and relationship evidence for each family member included

Collect it with Immiluma

Immiluma includes a sample subclass 186 template, so the checklist and questionnaire are ready to adapt and send to the applicant's portal. See all visa checklists.