Visa 186 Direct Entry: Straight to PR Without a 482
The Direct Entry (DE) stream is for people who want to lodge straight for permanent residence on the Subclass 186 without going through a long work-visa stage like the 482. Because it skips that period of “proving yourself on the job”, DE makes up for it with higher requirements on demonstrating your skills from the outset. This article goes through the main requirements.
Skills assessment
The biggest difference between DE and TRT is the skills assessment: this is a mandatory requirement for most occupations. The assessment is carried out by the assessing authority for your occupation, and each authority has its own criteria. Some groups may be exempt, but do not assume you are in that group until you have checked.
Work experience
DE usually requires a level of relevant work experience, referenced at around 3 years. “Relevant” here ties to the nominated occupation and to the skills assessment outcome — so the experience needs to match the occupation you lodge for, not general experience.
Age and cost
On age, the reference point is 45 years old at the time of lodging, with some groups exempt. The main application fee for the Subclass 186 currently sits at 6,140 AUD for the primary applicant, not including dependant fees, health examination, translation and skills assessment fees.
Is DE right for you?
Direct Entry fits when you have clear skills, a solid experience record, and an employer willing to nominate — but have not (or do not want to) go through the 482 stage. If your skills case is still thin, TRT through a 482 is sometimes a more solid pathway even if it takes longer.
Comparing these two pathways for your particular situation is not always obvious. This is the kind of decision that should be reviewed with a registered migration agent (MARA), rather than chosen on a feeling about which pathway is faster.