Australia is Inviting 44,000 Applicants for Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Visas

Vikrant Gungash
Sep 5
3 min read

By Vikrant Singh, September 05, 2025

Australia has announced exciting news for skilled workers around the world. For the 2025–26 migration year, 44,000 places have been allocated for the Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).

This visa is designed for skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved Australian employer. It allows successful applicants to live and work in Australia permanently, with a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency (PR).

Why This Matters

The Australian Government has kept the total permanent migration program at 185,000 places, with a strong focus on bringing skilled workers to the country to address critical labour shortages. Out of this total, 132,200 places (71%) are reserved for skilled migrants, and the Employer Sponsored Visa is one of the largest categories within this stream.

For 2025–26, the government has maintained the same number of spots as last year, showing a continuing demand for skilled workers across industries like healthcare, construction, engineering, IT, and educationMigration Program planning level.

Benefits of Subclass 186 Visa

Permanent Residency: Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
Family Inclusion: Bring eligible family members with you.
Citizenship Pathway: Become eligible for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
No Regional Restriction: Work in major cities or regional areas.

Who Can Apply

To qualify for the Subclass 186 Visa, you typically need:

A valid job offer from an Australian employer.
Skills and experience relevant to your nominated occupation.
To meet English language, health, and character requirements.
In most cases, a positive skills assessment in your occupation.

There are three main streams:

Direct Entry Stream – for applicants who meet skill and experience criteria and are directly nominated by an employer.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream – for those who have worked in Australia on a temporary skilled visa (Subclass 482 or 457).
Labour Agreement Stream – for workers nominated through a formal labour agreement between the employer and the government.

How to Get Started

Find a Sponsor: Secure a job offer from an approved Australian employer.
Employer Nomination: Your employer must lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs.
Lodge Your Visa Application: Submit your visa application once the nomination is approved.
Wait for Processing: Processing times vary, but applications with skills in high-demand industries are often prioritised.

Conclusion

With 44,000 places available, now is an excellent time to explore opportunities to migrate to Australia under the Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Visa. This program continues to play a key role in strengthening Australia’s workforce and economy while giving skilled workers and their families a chance to build a secure future in one of the world’s most desirable countries to live and work.

If you are a skilled professional ready to take the next step in your career, this visa could be your pathway to Australian permanent residency.

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