If you are thinking about starting a new life in Australia as an immigrant. Your path to permanent residency might lead you to choose between two popular options – the 186 and 189 visa subclasses. Each visa serves unique purposes and matches different career situations.
The 186 visa suits professionals with strong employer connections. Your Australian employer sponsors you directly, and the process typically takes 8-12 months. The 189 visa offers a different approach – you stand on your own merit through a points-based system, usually completing in 6 months. You’ll need 65-100 points, depending on your skilled occupation.
Both visas open doors to permanent Australian residency. The 186 visa connects you with specific employers, while the 189 visa lets you choose your workplace freely. Right now, Australia welcomes 160,000 skilled workers through various programmes, making these pathways valuable opportunities for your migration journey.
Ready to discover which visa matches your goals? Let’s explore the specific requirements, advantages, and limitations of each option to help you make the right choice.
186 vs 189 Visa: Core Eligibility Requirements
Would you like to know exactly what it takes to qualify for these visas? Let’s break down the essential criteria you must meet for permanent residency in Australia.
Age and Skills Assessment Criteria
Your age plays a crucial role in visa eligibility. Both visas require applicants to be under 45 years when applying. Good news for senior professionals – the 186 visa makes special allowances for academics, scientists, and medical practitioners.
Your skills matter too. For the 186 visa, you’ll need assessment from recognised bodies like VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, or ACS. The 189 visa requires similar verification, but your skills assessment must be no older than three years when you receive your invitation.
English Language Proficiency Standards
Clear communication is key in Australian workplaces. Both visas expect competent English skills. You can prove your ability through these tests:
- IELTS: Score at least 6 in each component
- PTE Academic: Achieve 50 or higher per component
- OET: Secure B grade across all components
- TOEFL iBT: Meet specific thresholds – listening (12), reading (13), writing (21), speaking (18)
Lucky for some – if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, you automatically tick this box.
Work Experience Requirements
The 186 visa looks for solid experience – three years of full-time work in your nominated role. Working part-time? No worries – it counts too, with 12 months of part-time equal to 6 months full-time. The 189 visa takes a different approach, focusing on your overall points score rather than specific work duration.
Occupation List Differences
Your profession’s status varies between visas. The 186 visa matches with the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), while the 189 visa follows the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Here’s something interesting – the Department uses different occupation classification systems: 2022 ANZSCO for 186 visa and 2013 version for 189 visa. The 186 visa’s Temporary Residence Transition stream works differently – it looks at your current temporary skilled visa occupation instead of these lists.
Sponsorship and Nomination Process
Picture two distinct paths leading to Australian permanent residency. Each path follows unique rules and processes, carefully designed to match different migration goals.
Employer Nomination Requirements for 186 Visa
Australian businesses seeking talented professionals must prove their genuine need through careful testing of the local labour market. The journey starts when employers lodge a nomination application detailing the role and working conditions. They must show clear evidence that no suitable Australian workers are available.
Every nominating business needs to:
- Operate legally in Australia
- Meet market salary standards (minimum AUD 107,029.32 plus superannuation)
- Complete nomination paperwork (standard business sponsorship not required)
Most nomination applications reach completion within 4-6 weeks.
Points-Based System for 189 Visa
The 189 pathway runs through SkillSelect, where your journey begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI). While 65 points opens the door, higher scores brighten your chances of receiving an invitation. Your EOI stays active in the system for two years.
The Department of Home Affairs reviews applications regularly, ranking candidates against each other. Your points tally grows through:
- Your age bracket
- English language skills
- Professional experience
- Educational background
- Partner qualifications
State/Territory Involvement in Each Pathway
The current Migration Programme shows strong support for skilled migration. Employer Sponsored visas received 44,000 spots, while State/Territory Nominations secured 33,000 places.
For the 186 visa, employers must show active business operations in their state or territory. The 189 visa offers more freedom – successful applicants can choose their preferred location anywhere in Australia.
Application processing follows careful planning levels and priorities set by the Department. Both visa streams help address workforce gaps across Australian regions.
Processing Times and Application Costs
Planning your move to Australia requires careful consideration of timeframes and expenses. Let’s explore what you should expect when budgeting for your permanent residency application.
Current Processing Timeframes (2025)
The Department of Home Affairs maintains steady progress with enhanced staff numbers and simpler procedures. Your 186 visa journey might take 5 to 16 months. The Direct Entry stream shows promising speeds – half the applications wrap up within 10 months, while 90% reach completion by 13 months.
Good news for 189 visa applicants – your wait typically spans 8 to 9 months. Remember, these timeframes might shift based on your application quality, how quickly you respond to queries, and verification checks from external agencies.
Application Fees Comparison
Starting July 2024, prepare to pay a base fee of AUD 7,293.28 for either visa. Family additions affect your total cost:
- Adult dependents (partner/over 18): AUD 3,646.64
- Children under 18: AUD 1,819.50
The 186 visa comes with extra employer costs:
- Nomination payment: AUD 825.65
- Skilling Australians Fund contribution: AUD 4,586.97 to AUD 7,644.95 (varies with business turnover)
Additional Costs to Consider
Your budget should cover these essential extras:
- Health checks: AUD 846.75 (adults), AUD 328.23 (children)
- Professional skills evaluation: About AUD 273.52
- Language testing: Roughly AUD 771.48
- Translation services (where needed)
- Police certificates from your resident countries
The government’s AUD 27.98 million boost to migration systems promises smoother processing ahead. Plus, regional employers enjoy nomination fee exemptions, helping reduce overall costs.
Permanent Residency Benefits and Restrictions
Life as an Australian permanent resident opens doors to countless opportunities. Whether you choose the 186 or 189 pathway, your new status brings valuable benefits that support your Australian dream.
Work Rights and Limitations
Your permanent residency status grants freedom to work anywhere in Australia. While most career paths welcome permanent residents, some positions remain reserved for citizens, such as roles in the Australian Government and Armed Forces. Should you face unemployment or illness, Centrelink benefits provide essential support.
Travel Privileges
Ready to explore the world from your Australian base? Your permanent visa comes with a five-year travel facility. After this window closes, a Resident Return visa keeps your international travel rights active. Remember to maintain valid travel documents – permanent residents need proper authorisation to re-enter Australia.
Family Inclusion Options
Your Australian journey can include your loved ones. Both visa pathways let you sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency. Watch your family thrive with full Medicare coverage and access to quality education at local rates. Plus, children born during your permanent residency automatically become Australian citizens.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
Four years of Australian life, including one year as a permanent resident, paves your way to citizenship. The citizenship journey involves:
- Successfully completing the citizenship test (under 60s)
- Meeting good character requirements
- Showing continuous Australian connections
Citizenship enriches your Australian life through:
- Active participation in democratic elections
- Australian passport privileges
- Boundless travel opportunities
- Career options in public service
Your permanent residency status also unlocks:
- Complete healthcare through Medicare
- Free English language training
- Property purchase opportunities
- First Home Owners Grant worth AUD 15,289.90
Comparison Table
Need a quick way to compare both visa pathways? This comprehensive table highlights the key differences between 186 and 189 visas. Each row presents specific requirements and features to help you evaluate your best option.
| Criteria | 186 Visa | 189 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Age Requirement | Under 45 (with exemptions for senior academics, scientists, and medical practitioners) | Under 45 |
| Processing Time | 5-16 months (50% within 10 months) | 8-9 months |
| English Requirement | Competent English (IELTS 6+, PTE 50+, OET B) | Competent English (IELTS 6+, PTE 50+, OET B) |
| Work Experience | 3 years full-time in nominated occupation | Points-based assessment |
| Occupation List | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), 2022 ANZSCO version | Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), 2013 ANZSCO version |
| Sponsorship Type | Employer nominated | Independent (no sponsor required) |
| Points Requirement | Not points-based | Minimum 65 points |
| Base Application Fee | AUD 7,293.28 | AUD 7,293.28 |
| Additional Employer Costs | – Nomination fee: AUD 825.65 – Skilling Australians Fund levy: AUD 4,586.97-7,644.95 | None |
| Location Restriction | Must work for nominating employer | Can work anywhere in Australia |
| Skills Assessment | Valid skills assessment required | Skills assessment within 3 years of invitation |
| Travel Rights | 5-year travel facility | 5-year travel facility |
| Programme Allocation (2024-25) | 44,000 places | Part of skilled independent category |
Conclusion
Ready to choose your Australian permanent residency pathway? The 186 and 189 visas each present unique opportunities for your migration journey. Professional roles with employer support naturally align with the 186 visa, where three years of work experience and specific occupation requirements apply. The 189 visa suits independent professionals who excel in the points-based system and value workplace flexibility.
Time matters in your migration planning. Always seek the help from registered migration agent. The 186 visa journey spans 5-16 months, while the 189 visa typically wraps up within 8-9 months. Both paths share the same starting point with base fees of AUD 7,293.28, though 186 applications carry extra employer costs.
Your permanent residency status opens doors to essential Australian benefits. Medicare coverage, complete work rights, and family migration options await successful applicants. Remember to renew your travel privileges through a Resident Return visa after five years. Stay focused on your citizenship goal – four years of residence unlocks voting rights and public service careers.
Which path matches your Australian dream? The 186 visa shines for professionals with solid employer relationships and occupation matches. Prefer charting your own course? The 189 visa rewards strong points scores with career independence. Your choice should reflect your professional aspirations, preferred timelines, and future plans in Australia.