PR Pathway via Subclass 186 Direct Entry (Employer Nominated)
This is a direct PR route: an employer nominates you straight to permanent residence through the subclass 186 under the Direct Entry stream, without you having to go through a temporary work visa first. Unlike the two-step 482-then-186 route, Direct Entry is a single step to PR — and in return, the requirements on skills, skills assessment and experience are usually tighter from the start. This article sets out the pathway to help you orient yourself; it does not replace personalised advice.
Who is this pathway for?
Direct Entry suits people who already have a solid skills foundation and an Australian employer willing to nominate them straight to PR. In particular, this route tends to suit people who:
- Are outside Australia, or in Australia but have never been (or do not want to go) through a subclass 482 first.
- Have an occupation on the list that applies to the Direct Entry stream, and are willing to complete a skills assessment for that occupation.
- Have a specific employer who meets the nomination requirements and wants to keep them long term.
If you are already working for an employer on a subclass 482 and want to move to PR through that same employer, the 482-then-186 route under the TRT stream is usually more natural. Direct Entry is the option when you aim straight at PR without the provisional step.
Where it starts
This pathway starts with a nomination from an employer for a genuine, full-time, ongoing position. This is the foundational requirement: without an employer nomination there is no subclass 186 pathway. Alongside that, you need an occupation eligible for the Direct Entry stream and a skills assessment result that meets the requirement for that occupation. Both elements — the employer’s nomination and your skills assessment — must align on the same occupation.
The steps to permanent residence
Step 1 — The employer prepares the nomination. The employer identifies the position to fill, checks whether the occupation falls under the Direct Entry stream, and prepares the nomination. Some obligations on the business side (such as training/contribution obligations) belong to the employer, not to you.
Step 2 — You complete the skills assessment. A skills assessment for the exact nominated occupation is your part. This is often the most time-consuming step, so start early.
Step 3 — Lodge the nomination and visa application. The employer’s nomination and your subclass 186 visa application are lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. Depending on circumstances, the two parts can be lodged close together.
Step 4 — Provide further documents and await a decision. You provide a health examination, character documents, evidence of English and related documents. When granted, the subclass 186 is permanent from the outset.
Fees and the figures to check
The main application charge for the subclass 186 is currently 6,140 AUD for the primary applicant. This amount does not include charges for accompanying dependants, health examination costs, translation or the skills assessment fee.
The following factors change over time and by occupation — do not decide based on a number you heard; check directly on official sources for your exact occupation:
- The age limit that applies at the time of lodging (with exemptions for some groups) — see the Home Affairs page on the subclass 186.
- The English level required — see the official page and the points conversion table.
- The years of experience in the nominated occupation — check the current requirements of the Direct Entry stream.
- Processing times for applications — see the Home Affairs “visa processing times” tool.
Deciding factors
The key factor for Direct Entry is the alignment of three pieces: the nominated occupation, your skills assessment result, and the genuine position the employer needs. If one piece is out of line — for example, the employer nominates an occupation different from the one you were assessed for — the application will run into trouble. In addition, because this is direct PR, the standard for skills and experience is usually higher than on the route through the 482 first.
Risks and common mistakes
- Getting the skills assessment for the wrong occupation. Doing an assessment for an occupation that does not match the one the employer nominates is a costly, time-consuming error.
- Assuming the employer “handles everything”. The nomination is the employer’s part, but the skills assessment, English and personal documents are yours.
- Starting the skills assessment too late. This is often the timing bottleneck; delay can push you past condition milestones (such as age).
- Using old numbers. Fees, requirements and processing times change; always check official sources before lodging.
When to ask an RMA
You should consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: you are unsure whether your occupation falls under the Direct Entry stream; you are weighing Direct Entry against the 482-then-186 route; or your case has sensitive factors (age near a threshold, visa history, health). An RMA can assess your actual case — something an overview article cannot do.
Learn more
Direct Entry is a short route in terms of steps but demands a solid skills foundation and a suitable employer. Start by identifying the occupation and the skills assessment, then check every specific condition against official sources before acting.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check official sources.