Subclass 186 · Labour Agreement stream
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): Labour Agreement Stream
Permanent residence for workers whose employer has a labour agreement, including DAMAs, on the terms set by the agreement.
About the Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent residence through your employer.
- Live, work and study in Australia permanently
- Enrol in Medicare
- Sponsor eligible relatives
- Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
- Apply for citizenship when eligible
From AUD6,140 for the main applicant, plus charges for family members. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
You can include your partner and dependent children in your application.
Your employer's nomination must be approved, and you must apply within 6 months of the nomination approval.
Eligibility for applicants
Your requirements.
You must work, or plan to work, for your employer under a labour agreement.
Your employer must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia and be a party to the labour agreement.
You must be under 45 when you apply, unless the labour agreement says otherwise.
If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive 457 or 482 visa granted under a labour agreement.
If your occupation needs a licence, registration or professional membership in the state or territory where you will work, you must hold it.
You and family applying with you must meet the health requirement, and those aged 16 or over the character requirement. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.
Applicants aged 18 or over must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Debts to the Australian Government must be repaid or under a formal arrangement, and previous refusals or cancellations are considered.
Not applicable for this view.
When you have this visa
You are a permanent resident.
You can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, with access to Medicare.
You are expected to work for your nominating employer as intended when your visa was granted.
Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant. After that, you need a Resident Return visa to return as a permanent resident.
After meeting the residence requirements, you may be able to apply for Australian citizenship.
You must begin your employment within 6 months of entering Australia (if granted outside Australia), or of your visa grant date (if granted in Australia).
About nominating under a labour agreement
Costs and timing.
The levy applies to all nominations in this stream.
Sponsors also pay a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy of AUD3,000 (annual turnover under AUD10 million) or AUD5,000 (AUD10 million or more). The levy is paid with the nomination, cannot be passed on to the worker, and is only refundable in limited circumstances.
Your nominee must lodge their visa application within 6 months of the nomination approval.
Employ the worker on the terms set by your labour agreement.
Eligibility for employers
What employers need.
You must have a current labour agreement with the Australian Government and meet any nomination requirements in it. The occupation must be listed in the agreement.
No unreasonable adverse information, compliance with immigration and workplace laws, and payment of the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Step by step for employers
How to nominate a worker for permanent residence.
Before you nominate
Check your business and the position meet the requirements.
Not sure this is the right visa for you? Contact Outlook Immigration and our registered migration agent will confirm the best pathway.
Gather your documents
Prepare evidence of your business, the genuine position and the employment terms.
Lodge the nomination
Complete the nomination in ImmiAccount, attach documents, pay the fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy if required, and give your employee the reference number.
After you nominate
Respond to any requests. Your employee must apply within 6 months of approval.
After the visa is granted
Your obligations continue while the worker is in Australia.
Pay the nominated salary, keep records and notify Home Affairs of certain changes. Employer compliance support.
Keep meeting the terms of your labour agreement.
Based on Department of Home Affairs information (October 2026). Visa costs, thresholds, occupation lists and processing times can change, so always confirm current details on the Department of Home Affairs website or ask our team. This page is general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.
Other Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) Streams
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): Labour Agreement Stream FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
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A permanent visa for workers nominated by an employer that is a party to a labour agreement with the Australian Government.
Under 45, unless the labour agreement allows otherwise.
If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive 457 or 482 visa granted under a labour agreement.
The Skilling Australians Fund levy applies to all nominations in this stream.
Ready for Permanent Residence Through Your Employer?
We prepare the employer nomination and the visa application together.
