If you are looking to apply for a 186 visa and wondering whether your occupation is eligible to apply, then this blog is for you. This blog will discuss topics such as
- What is the 186 visa
- The eligible occupations
- Differences between the occupation lists
- How to check if your occuaption is eligible?
- Occupation requirements
- Getting a skills assessment for the 186 visa
- FAQs
What is the 186 visa
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (SC 186) visa is a PR visa for migrants who wish to permanently settle in Australia through employer sponsorship.With this visa you and your family can live, work, and study in Australia permanently, with a pathway to citizenship. This visa has 3 streams thorough which you can apply for PR. You have to select the most approriate stream according to your circumstances for a successful outcome for your visa application. The 3 main streams are:
- Direct Entry Stream: If you are applying for the 186 visa directly, you can explore this stream whether you are onshore or offshore. If you currently hold any temporary visa other than the 482 visa and you are hoping to apply for PR directly then this stream is for you.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: You can apply for this stream if you are currently holding an 482 visa.
- Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for applicants whose employers have an agreement with the Australian government.
Identifying eligible occupations
Depending on the type of stream you choose, your eligibility for an occupation will differ.
For example if you are a Lift Mechanic ANZSCO code: 341113, then you will not be eligible to apply to the Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa. But your occupation may be eligible under the Transition stream and the Labour Agreement stream.
The difference is due to the different types of skilled occupation lists used by the department in assessing each of the streams.
- Direct Entry Stream: Only occupations that are in the Core Skills Occupation list are eligible under this stream
- Temporary Reisdence Transition Stream: Your occupaition must be an occupation that is present in one of the below skill lists:
- Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short Term Skilleed Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Labour Agreement Stream: The eligible occupations under this stream usually depends on the Labour Agreement itself.
The difference between the occupation lists
There are 4 main occupation lists that are laid down by the department, they are:
- Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short Term Skilleed Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The main difference between these lists are the visa categories that you will be eligible for if you have an occupation in the relevant list. For example if you are a software engineer of ANZSCO code, 261313, this is an occupation found in the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). So, you would be eligible for many visas leading you to Permanent residency (PR) and even get you PR directly.
How to check if your occupation is eligible?
Step 1: Go to the Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation Lists page here
Step 2: Search for your occupation in the search bar
You can search for your occupation by name or ANZSCO code
Step 3: Confirm the visa type under which it is eligible
For example the below image shows the eligible visa subclasses a Marketing Specialist is eligible for
Direct Entry stream
Have 3 years of work experience
Usually mandarory skills assessment unless exempt
Transition stream
Have at least 2 years of work experience under a 482 visa
No mandatory skills assessment, unlesss the case officer requests
Have relevant licensing, registrations or memberships if it is applicable to your occupation
Getting a skills assessment for the 186 visa
While skills assessments are not mandatory for the Transition stream of the 186 visa, it usually is mandatory for the Direct Entry stream.
However there are some exemption for the skills assesment reequirement, and if there is a skills assesment exemption, you will also be exempted from the work experience requirement.
FAQs
My occupation is not in the CSOL, can i still apply?
If your occupation is not in the CSOL that means you are not eligible for the Direct Entry stream. However, if you currently hold a 482 visa, that means you can apply for the Transition stream. And if you hold a visa under the labour agreement stream too, you would be eligible
Do I need a skills assessment?
A skills assessment is usually mandatory for the Direct Entry stream but not the Transition Stream.
What if I change my job title?
If you are applying for the Tranisiton stream,your nominated occupation for the 186 visa must be the same occupation that was nominated for your 482 visa.
What if my occupation is removed from the lists?
If you already hold a 482 visa, then the Transition stream of the 186 visa will help you get PR. But if you do not hold a 482 visa, then you wont be eligible unless your occupation is in the relevant list