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Subclass 186 Direct Entry

Subclass 186 Direct entry stream

Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream:

What can you do with a Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream visa?

With this visa, you can:

  • Live in Australia indefinitely
  • work and study in Australia
  • enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
  • sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
  • travel to and from Australia for 5 years
  • apply for Australian citizenship, when eligible

Newly arrived residents may have to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.

How long you can stay with an ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream?

This is a permanent visa – it lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.

You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted.

Your permanent residency for citizenship purposes starts:

  • on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia
  • on the day you enter Australia on this visa if you are outside Australia

Can I include family on ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream?

You can:

  • include family members in your application when you apply
  • add family members to your application after you apply but before the Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs decide on your visa

For this visa, your family members are:

  • your partner
  • your dependent child or stepchild
  • your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
  • the dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild

You can also include someone who holds a subclass 457 visa or subclass 482 visa if the Department of Home Affairs granted them that visa on the basis they are a member of your family.

Family members who apply for the visa with you must meet health and character requirements.

Family members who do not apply for the visa with you might also have to meet the requirements.

What is the cost for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry Stream?

The visa costs AUD4045 for the main applicant.

There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.

Second instalment

You will need to pay an extra charge called a second instalment for any family member aged 18 years or older who:

  • applies for the visa with you, and
  • has less than Functional English

The second instalment for family members who apply for the visa with you is AUD4890.

If you need to pay the second instalment for a family member, the case officers at the Department of Home Affairs will send you an invoice after you have met all other requirements for the visa.

Other costs

You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa pricing estimator at the website of the Department of Home Affairs. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.

Apply for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

You can apply for this visa from in or outside Australia. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a related bridging visa A, B or C.

If your substantive visa has a no further stay condition, you might still be able to lodge an application in Australia in certain circumstances.

You can be in or outside Australia when the Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs decide on your application.

Processing times for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream:

Your application can take longer to process if:

  • you do not fill it in correctly
  • you do not include all the documents the Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs need
  • it takes the Department of Home Affairs time to verify your information

Your visa application will not be processed if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs will notify you if this is the case and if necessary, return your application.

Applications lodged with all necessary supporting documents (‘complete applications’) can generally be processed more quickly.

Your obligations – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.

The Department of Home Affairs expect that you will work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years.

You agree to begin your employment within 6 months of:

  • entry to Australia if you were granted the visa outside Australia
  • the visa grant date if you were granted the visa in Australia

Travel – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

From the date The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs grant this visa, you can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years.

After that period, you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

If you leave Australia after the expiry date of your travel facility, without being granted another permanent visa with a valid travel facility, for example a Resident Return (RRV), you might not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident.

To see when your travel condition ends, use VEVO.

Visa label – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Australian visas are digital. You will not get a label in your passport

Have an eligible occupation

Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

Have relevant work experience

Unless exempt, most applicants need to have at least 3 years relevant work experience in their occupation.

Applicants who are exempt from the skills assessment requirement are also exempt from the work experience requirement.

Licensing, registration or membership

You must be licensed, registered or a member of a professional body if it is mandatory in the state or territory you intend to work in.

Have a positive skills assessment

Most applicants need to have a skills assessment that shows they have the skills to work in the nominated position. Learn more about skills assessments.

Exemption

You are exempt from having a skills assessment if you:

  • have been nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by a university in Australia, or
  • have been nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical specialist by an Australian government scientific agency, or
  • currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444)or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated position, for at least 2 years in the last 3 years prior to the date you applied for the visa

Be nominated

You must be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating.

You must apply for the visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved.

Find out if your employer is eligible to nominate you.

The Department of Home Affairs can’t grant you a visa if:

  • There are adverse information about your nominator or any person associated with them, unless it is reasonable to disregard this information, or
  • the nomination is withdrawn, or
  • the position is no longer available

The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs can’t link a new nomination to your existing visa application. If this happens one possible option is to withdraw your first visa application and submit a new visa application in relation to the new nomination.

Age limit for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Usually, you must be under 45 years of age when you apply.

You are exempt from this age criteria if any of the following applies to you:

  • you are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level B, C D or E) by a university in Australia
  • you are nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical (scientific) specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by an Australian scientific government agency
  • you currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand citizen’s family member (subclass 461) visa and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated position, for at least 2 years in the last 3 years immediately before you apply. The 2 years excludes periods of unpaid leave.

Meet health and Character requirement for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the health and character requirement. The Department of Home Affairs might ask for health and character information about family not coming to Australia with you.

Have Competent English language Skills

You must have at least competent English to be granted subclass 186 Direct entry stream of the visa.

Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

You might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia.

 

Steps to apply for ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

 

Step 1: Before you apply – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Get your skills assessed

Get a skills assessment if you need to. The assessment will prove you have the right skills and qualifications to do your job.

Organise English exams

Make sure your English test results are current for this visa. Have English exams if necessary.

Organise health exams

You need to have health examinations. You can complete them before you apply or you can wait until after you apply.

Get help with your application

You don’t have to use a migration agent to apply for any visa. But if you want to, see how to find a registered migration agent.

Anyone can help you fill out forms or give you general help with your application. But you must let the department of Home Affairs know if you want someone to:

Get the nomination Transaction Reference Number

Make sure your employer has submitted a nomination application. They will receive a nomination Transaction Reference Number (TRN) when they do.

Ask your employer for the TRN. You need it to apply for the visa.

Your rights and your employer’s obligations

Criminal and civil penalties can be applied to anyone who asks for, receives, offers or provides a benefit in exchange for visa sponsorship. Learn more about work visa scams.

 

Step 2: Gather your documents – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can’t prove your identity or don’t provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

  • a national identity card, if you have one
  • proof of change of name

Documents that prove a change of name include:

  • a marriage or divorce certificate
  • change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
  • documents that show other names you have been known by

Licencing, registration or membership

Provide evidence of any licence, registration or professional membership mandatory to perform the nominated occupation in the state or territory you intend to work in, if applicable.

If you are a doctor, provide one of these certificates issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as proof of full registration:

  • unconditional or general medical registration
  • conditional specialist registration which allows you to practise only in your particular specialty with no further training or supervision requirements

If you are a barrister or solicitor, provide proof of admission to practise as a lawyer in the relevant state or territory.

Skills and qualifications documents

Provide either:

  • documents that prove your skills and qualifications
  • documents to prove you are exempt from proving your skills and qualifications

Proof of your skills and qualifications

Provide all of the following:

  • a positive and valid skills assessment, if required. Provide these when you apply. The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs don’t accept a skills assessment obtained for a subclass 485 visa
  • your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
  • qualifications and proof of work experience such as employment references, if required

Skills assessment exemption documents

If you are exempt from having a skills assessment, provide proof that:

  • you have been nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by a university in Australia, or
  • you have been nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical specialist by an Australian government scientific agency, or
  • you currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated position, for at least 2 years in the last 3 years prior to the date you applied for the visa

Age exemption documents

If you are 45 years old or older, provide documents to show you are exempt from the age eligibility criteria.

You are exempt from this criterion if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level B, C D or E) by a university in Australia
  • you are nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical (scientific) specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by an Australian scientific government agency
  • you currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand citizen’s family member (subclass 461) visa and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated position, for at least 2 years in the last 3 years immediately before you apply. The 2 years excludes periods of unpaid leave.

See more about age, skill and English language exemptions in the relevant legislative instrument, IMMI 18/045.

English language documents

Provide documents that show you have Competent English.

Health documents

You do not need to provide health documents. If you have had medical exams, the results are sent to The department of Home Affairs by your doctor.

Character documents

Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police. For immigration purposes, Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Also provide:

  • an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
  • military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country

Tell The department of Home Affairs you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

Partner documents

Provide:

  • identity documents
  • character documents

Provide either:

  • your current marriage certificate or
  • enough documents to prove your partner has been in a de facto relationship with you for at least 12 months before you apply

Documents that prove a de facto relationship include:

  • joint bank account statements
  • billing accounts in joint names
  • joint leases or mortgages
  • documents that show you have both lived at the same address

Proof of Functional English

You must provide evidence that your partner has functional English.

If you can’t show that your partner has Functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment when the Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs ask you to.

Dependants under 18 documents

For every dependant under 18 years who is applying with you provide:

  • identity documents
  • proof of their relationship with you such as a birth or marriage certificate
  • character documents, if applicable

Parental responsibility documents

You must get consent for the child to come to Australia from anyone who has a legal right to decide where the child lives.

They must complete either:

Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a:

  • passport
  • driver’s licence

Dependants over 18 documents

For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you provide:

  • identity documents
  • documents about other relationships, if applicable
  • character documents

Proof of dependence

You need to prove that this person is a family member and/or dependent on you. Provide:

You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:

  • proof they live with you
  • their tax records
  • proof they are currently studying

For other family members, if applicable, provide evidence the person:

  • holds a subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa
  • was granted that visa because they were your family member and
  • is included in your application for this subclass 186 visa

Proof of Functional English

You must show that your family member has functional English.

If you can’t show that your family member has functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment when The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs ask you to.

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

  • full name
  • address and telephone number
  • qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Scan or photograph

Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.

The scans and photos must be clear.

If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can’t prove your identity or don’t provide true information

 

Step 3: Apply for the visa – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can’t prove your identity or don’t provide true information.

Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount

  1. Login or create an ImmiAccount.
  2. Attach documents.
  3. Pay the application charge. The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs will not process your application until you pay.
  4. Note the Transaction Reference Number (TRN).

 

Step 4: After you apply – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

What will happen after you apply

The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs will let you know when they have received your application.

Status updates

The Department of Home Affairs can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.

You can check if they need more information from you in ImmiAccount.

Travel after you apply

If you are in Australia, you don’t have to tell the department of Home Affairs if you want to travel outside Australia while they process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when they decide on your application.

But if you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.

Learn about visa expiry.

Learn about Bridging visas.

Health exams

If you didn’t complete health examinations before you applied, the Department of Home Affairs will let you know if you need them.

Biometrics

The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

Attach more information

The Department of Home Affairs might ask you to provide more information. Attach any additional documents they ask you for as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.

Stay lawful

Make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while they process your application.

When you apply for this visa in Australia, you are likely to be granted a bridging visa. If your current visa expires before they decide your application, the bridging visa will start. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while they process your new visa application.

Learn more about visa expiry.

Pay the second instalment

If you need to pay a second instalment, they will send you an invoice after you have met all other requirements for the visa.

Add family

You can add family members to your application after you apply but before they decide on your visa.

For this visa your family members are:

  • your partner
  • your dependent child
  • your partner’s dependent child

Newborn children

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Mistakes on your application

Let the department of Home Affairs know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.

Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).

Help with your application

Let The department of Home Affairs know if you no longer want someone to:

See more about withdrawing your nomination.

Tell The department of Home Affairs if things change

Tell the department of Home Affairs if things change after you submit your application but before they decide on your application.

Things you need to let the department of Home Affairs know about include:

  • you want to withdraw your application
  • changes to your phone number, address or passport
  • changes to your relationship status
  • the birth of a child

See what to do if your situation changes.

Step 5: Visa outcome – ENS Visa – Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

You can be in or outside Australia when the Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs decide on your visa application.

The Australian immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs will let you know their decision in writing.

If your visa application is approved

If they grant your visa, they will tell you:

  • your visa grant number
  • the date your visa starts
  • your visa conditions, if applicable

Keep a copy of the decision.

If your visa application is refused

If they refuse your visa, they will tell you:

  • why they refused the visa
  • whether you have a right to a review of the decision

They will not refund the application charge if they refuse your application.

New Zealand passport holders

If an immigration officer processes your clearance at the department of Home Affairs border, they recommend you tell them:

If you do not tell them, you might be granted the 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa will override your permanent visa and might affect your eligibility for Australian citizenship.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186/direct-entry-stream#Overview

Note: Please always refer to Department of Home Affairs website for updated information.