Visa 186 Age Requirement: the Under-45 Cut-Off and Who Is Exempt
Age is one of the conditions that causes the most worry with visa 186, because it has a hard cut-off — but it also comes with exemptions that not everyone knows about. Understanding this part correctly helps you work out where you stand and whether the timing of your application is something you need to plan around.
The general age cut-off
The general reference point for visa 186 is 45 years old at the time you lodge your application. The key thing to remember: this is measured at lodgement, not at grant. So if you are close to the threshold, a few weeks spent preparing your application can be the difference between meeting and not meeting the requirement — which is why many people choose to prepare early.
Groups that are exempt
The under-45 cut-off does not apply to everyone. Some groups are exempt from the age limit, for example people on a high income who meet the specified threshold, certain academic and research categories, and in some cases people who have worked long-term in a qualifying category. Each exemption has its own conditions and its own way of being evidenced, so don’t assume you fall into an exempt group until you have checked carefully.
Why lodgement timing matters
Because age is measured at lodgement, it interacts with the other conditions. For example, in the TRT stream you need enough work time with your nominating employer before you lodge — and if that work time pushes you past the age cut-off, the problem becomes balancing “enough work time” against “still within the age limit”. This is the kind of situation that should be planned for in advance, rather than discovered close to the deadline.
When to check carefully
If you are close to the 45 cut-off, or you think you might fall into an exempt group, that is exactly when you should ask a registered migration agent (MARA) rather than drawing your own conclusion. A correct assessment of your age and any exemption that applies can change your choice of stream and your lodgement timing entirely.