3 important steps to check if your occupation is available for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)(Subclass 186) visa - Direct Entry stream
If you are considering applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa in the Direct Entry (DE) stream, one of the first steps is to ensure that your occupation is actually eligible for nomination by your employer. This is because not all occupations are eligible, and some occupations may come with additional restrictions or caveats before being available for Subclass 186 visa (DE) purposes.
In this free visa guide, we will explain how to check if your occupation is available for the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa, and tell you about the 3 important steps you should take.
Disclaimer: The information provided on our website or on any of our social media platforms is published for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided on our website or on any of our social media platforms about the migration regulations, policies and legislation is current as of the time it is published, and may be subject to change. Your use of the general information published on our website or our social media posts does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and Inclusive Migration, and you should seek legal advice about your options from a legal practitioner or migration advice from a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority before proceeding with any application.
Background - Subclass 186 visa (Direct Entry stream)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer and allows them to live and work permanently in Australia.
The Subclass 186 visa has three (3) streams, relevantly:
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: This stream is for individuals who are transitioning from a Subclass 457 visa or Subclass 482 visa. Applicants must first be sponsored for a Subclass 457 visa or a Subclass 482 visa, and must have worked on their Subclass 457 visa or Subclass 482 visa for at least two (2) out of the last three (3) years with their sponsoring employer in the nominated position, before they are able to apply for a Subclass 186 visa in the TRT stream.
Direct Entry Stream: This stream is for applicants who are applying directly for permanent residency and are not transitioning from a Subclass 457 visa or a Subclass 482 visa. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria based on their skills, qualifications, and work experience in the nominated occupation to apply directly for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream.
Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for workers who are nominated under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian government, which may be an industry labour agreement, company specific labour agreement or a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), etc. This stream applies to employers who have specific labour agreements to fill skilled positions that may not be covered by standard visa programs.
In particular, the Direct Entry stream allows skilled workers to apply directly for a permanent Subclass 186 visa, and recent changes have made it more accessible to a broader group of people, particularly through the replacement of the previous Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) with the current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Previously, persons seeking to apply for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream were required to be nominated in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which included around 216 “high-demand” occupations considered critical to Australia's economy. If their occupation did not fall under the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), they would have to first be sponsored on a Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa and work for a sponsoring employer on the Subclass 482 visa for at least two (2) years, before being eligible to apply for a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
On the other hand, the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) was replaced by the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) on 7 December 2024, and under the new framework, there are now 456 occupations through which more overseas workers with direct access to permanent residency, without needing to first hold and/or work on a Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa or the new Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa before being eligible for a Subclass 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
How to check if your occupation is available for the Subclass 186 visa (Direct Entry stream)
Step 1: Check the current occupation list
To check if your occupation is available for the Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry (DE) stream, the first thing you should do is check the current legislative instrument which is in effect, and that is presently the Migration (Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa) Instrument 2024 (LIN 24/093).
As of 4 February 2025, LIN 24/093 presently specifies the following occupations for the Direct Entry (DE) stream of the Subclass 186 visa:
1. Chief Executive or Managing Director
2. Corporate General Manager
3. Aquaculture Farmer
4. Apiarist
5. Dairy Cattle Farmer
6. Goat Farmer
7. Pig Farmer
8. Poultry Farmer
9. Flower Grower
10. Sales and Marketing Manager
11. Advertising Manager
12. Corporate Services Manager
13. Finance Manager
14. Human Resource Manager
15. Policy and Planning Manager
16. Research and Development Manager
17. Construction Project Manager
18. Project Builder
19. Engineering Manager
20. Production Manager (Forestry)
21. Production Manager (Manufacturing)
22. Supply and Distribution Manager
23. Procurement Manager
24. Medical Administrator \ Medical Superintendent
25. Nursing Clinical Director
26. Primary Health Organisation Manager
27. School Principal
28. Faculty Head
29. Education Managers nec
30. Chief Information Officer
31. ICT Project Manager
32. ICT Managers nec
33. Arts Administrator or Manager
34. Environmental Manager
35. Laboratory Manager
36. Quality Assurance Manager
37. Regulatory Affairs Manager
38. Hotel or Motel Manager
39. Licensed Club Manager
40. Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec
41. Retail Manager (General)
42. Travel Agency Manager
43. Fleet Manager
44. Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operator
45. Cinema or Theatre Manager
46. Equipment Hire Manager
47. Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec
48. Music Director
49. Artistic Director
50. Program Director (Television or Radio)
51. Stage Manager
52. Technical Director
53. Video Producer
54. Print Journalist
55. Radio Journalist
56. Technical Writer
57. Television Journalist
58. Journalists and Other Writers nec
59. Accountant (General)
60. Management Accountant
61. Taxation Accountant
62. Company Secretary
63. External Auditor
64. Internal Auditor
65. Finance Broker
66. Insurance Broker
67. Financial Investment Adviser
68. Human Resource Adviser
69. Recruitment Consultant
70. Workplace Relations Adviser
71. Actuary
72. Mathematician
73. Data Analyst
74. Data Scientist
75. Statistician
76. Land Economist
77. Valuer
78. Organisation and Methods Analyst
79. Management Consultant
80. Supply Chain Analyst
81. Patents Examiner
82. Information and Organisation Professionals nec
83. Advertising Specialist
84. Marketing Specialist
85. Content Creator (Marketing)
86. ICT Account Manager
87. ICT Business Development Manager
88. ICT Sales Representative
89. Public Relations Professional
90. Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
91. Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
92. Technical Sales Representatives nec
93. Aeroplane Pilot
94. Flying Instructor
95. Helicopter Pilot
96. Air Transport Professionals nec
97. Ship's Engineer
98. Architect
99. Landscape Architect
100. Surveyor
101. Cartographer
102. Other Spatial Scientist
103. Jewellery Designer
104. Illustrator
105. Multimedia Designer
106. Web Designer
107. Interior Designer
108. Urban and Regional Planner
109. Chemical Engineer
110. Materials Engineer
111. Civil Engineer
112. Geotechnical Engineer
113. Quantity Surveyor
114. Structural Engineer
115. Transport Engineer
116. Electrical Engineer
117. Electronics Engineer
118. Industrial Engineer
119. Mechanical Engineer
120. Production or Plant Engineer
121. Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
122. Petroleum Engineer
123. Aeronautical Engineer
124. Agricultural Engineer
125. Biomedical Engineer
126. Engineering Technologist
127. Environmental Engineer
128. Naval Architect \ Marine Designer
129. Engineering Professionals nec
130. Agricultural Consultant
131. Agricultural Research Scientist
132. Agronomist
133. Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
134. Chemist
135. Food Technologist
136. Wine Maker
137. Environmental Consultant
138. Environmental Scientists nec
139. Geologist
140. Geophysicist
141. Hydrogeologist
142. Life Scientist (General)
143. Biochemist
144. Botanist
145. Marine Biologist
146. Entomologist
147. Zoologist
148. Life Scientists nec
149. Respiratory Scientist
150. Veterinarian
151. Conservator
152. Metallurgist
153. Meteorologist
154. Physicist
155. Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
156. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
157. Primary School Teacher
158. Middle School Teacher \ Intermediate School Teacher
159. Secondary School Teacher
160. Special Needs Teacher
161. Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
162. Teacher of the Sight Impaired
163. Special Education Teachers nec
164. University Lecturer
165. Vocational Education Teacher \ Polytechnic Teacher
166. Education Reviewer
167. Music Teacher (Private Tuition)
168. Private Tutors and Teachers nec
169. Dietitian
170. Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
171. Medical Radiation Therapist
172. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
173. Sonographer
174. Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
175. Optometrist
176. Orthoptist
177. Hospital Pharmacist
178. Industrial Pharmacist
179. Retail Pharmacist
180. Orthotist or Prosthetist
181. Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec
182. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
183. Complementary Health Therapists nec
184. Dental Specialist
185. Dentist
186. Occupational Therapist
187. Physiotherapist
188. Podiatrist
189. Audiologist
190. Speech Pathologist \ Speech Language Therapist
191. General Practitioner
192. Resident Medical Officer
193. Anaesthetist
194. Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
195. Cardiologist
196. Clinical Haematologist
197. Medical Oncologist
198. Endocrinologist
199. Gastroenterologist
200. Intensive Care Specialist
201. Neurologist
202. Paediatrician
203. Renal Medicine Specialist
204. Rheumatologist
205. Thoracic Medicine Specialist
206. Specialist Physicians nec
207. Psychiatrist
208. Surgeon (General)
209. Cardiothoracic Surgeon
210. Neurosurgeon
211. Orthopaedic Surgeon
212. Otorhinolaryngologist
213. Paediatric Surgeon
214. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
215. Urologist
216. Vascular Surgeon
217. Dermatologist
218. Emergency Medicine Specialist
219. Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
220. Ophthalmologist
221. Pathologist
222. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
223. Radiation Oncologist
224. Medical Practitioners nec
225. Midwife
226. Nurse Educator
227. Nurse Researcher
228. Nurse Practitioner
229. Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
230. Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
231. Registered Nurse (Community Health)
232. Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
233. Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
234. Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
235. Registered Nurse (Medical)
236. Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
237. Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
238. Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
239. Registered Nurse (Surgical)
240. Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
241. Registered Nurses nec
242. ICT Business Analyst
243. Systems Analyst
244. Multimedia Specialist
245. Web Developer
246. Analyst Programmer
247. Developer Programmer
248. Software Engineer
249. Software Tester
250. Cyber Security Engineer
251. Devops Engineer
252. Penetration Tester
253. Software and Applications Programmers nec
254. Database Administrator
255. Systems Administrator
256. Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
257. Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
258. Cyber Security Analyst
259. Cyber Security Architect
260. Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
261. Computer Network and Systems Engineer
262. Network Administrator
263. Network Analyst
264. ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
265. ICT Systems Test Engineer
266. ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
267. Telecommunications Network Engineer
268. Barrister
269. Intellectual Property Lawyer
270. Judicial and Other Legal Professionals nec
271. Solicitor
272. Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
273. Rehabilitation Counsellor
274. Student Counsellor
275. Clinical Psychologist
276. Educational Psychologist
277. Organisational Psychologist
278. Psychotherapist
279. Psychologists nec
280. Translator
281. Social Worker
282. Recreation Officer \ Recreation Coordinator
283. Agricultural and Agritech Technician
284. Animal Husbandry Technician
285. Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
286. Irrigation Designer
287. Anaesthetic Technician
288. Cardiac Technician
289. Pharmacy Technician
290. Respiratory Technician
291. Medical Technicians nec
292. Meat Inspector
293. Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer
294. Primary Products Assurance and Inspection Officers nec
295. Chemistry Technician
296. Earth Science Technician
297. Science Technicians nec
298. Architectural Draftsperson
299. Building Associate
300. Building Inspector
301. Construction Estimator
302. Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
303. Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec
304. Civil Engineering Draftsperson
305. Civil Engineering Technician
306. Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
307. Electrical Engineering Technician
308. Electronic Engineering Technician
309. Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
310. Mechanical Engineering Technician
311. Maintenance Planner
312. Metallurgical or Materials Technician
313. Mine Deputy
314. Other Draftsperson
315. Building and Engineering Technicians nec
316. Hardware Technician
317. ICT Customer Support Officer
318. Web Administrator
319. ICT Support Technicians nec
320. Telecommunications Field Engineer
321. Telecommunications Network Planner
322. Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist
323. Automotive Electrician
324. Motor Mechanic (General)
325. Diesel Motor Mechanic
326. Motorcycle Mechanic
327. Small Engine Mechanic
328. Electroplater
329. Farrier
330. Metal Casting Trades Worker
331. Sheetmetal Worker
332. Metal Fabricator
333. Pressure Welder
334. Welder (First Class)
335. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
336. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
337. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
338. Fitter (General)
339. Fitter and Turner
340. Fitter-Welder
341. Metal Machinist (First Class)
342. Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
343. Metal Fitters and Machinists nec
344. Locksmith
345. Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer
346. Engineering Patternmaker
347. Toolmaker
348. Panelbeater
349. Vehicle Body Builder
350. Vehicle Trimmer
351. Vehicle Painter
352. Bricklayer
353. Stonemason
354. Carpenter and Joiner
355. Carpenter
356. Joiner
357. Floor Finisher
358. Painter
359. Glazier
360. Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling)
361. Renderer (Solid Plaster)
362. Roof Tiler
363. Wall and Floor Tiler
364. Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
365. Drainer
366. Gasfitter
367. Roof Plumber
368. Plumber (General)
369. Fire Protection Plumber
370. Electrician (General)
371. Electrician (Special Class)
372. Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
373. Electrical Linesworker \ Electrical Line Mechanic
374. Technical Cable Jointer
375. Business Machine Mechanic
376. Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
377. Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
378. Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)
379. Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
380. Telecommunications Cable Jointer
381. Telecommunications Linesworker \ Telecommunications Line mechanic
382. Telecommunications Technician
383. Baker
384. Pastrycook
385. Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
386. Chef
387. Cook
388. Dog Handler or Trainer
389. Horse Trainer
390. Veterinary Nurse
391. Nurseryperson
392. Arborist
393. Tree Worker
394. Landscape Gardener
395. Irrigation Technician
396. Hairdresser
397. Print Finisher
398. Screen Printer
399. Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker
400. Printing Machinist
401. Shoemaker
402. Upholsterer
403. Cabinet Maker
404. Furniture Maker
405. Furniture Finisher
406. Picture Framer
407. Wood Machinist
408. Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec
409. Boat Builder and Repairer
410. Shipwright
411. Chemical Plant Operator
412. Gas or Petroleum Operator
413. Power Generation Plant Operator
414. Light Technician
415. Sound Technician
416. Performing Arts Technicians nec
417. Signwriter
418. Diver
419. Optical Dispenser \ Dispensing Optician
420. Optical Mechanic
421. Plastics Technician
422. Fire Protection Equipment Technician
423. Technicians and Trades Workers nec
424. Ambulance Officer
425. Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic
426. Dental Hygienist
427. Dental Prosthetist
428. Dental Technician
429. Dental Therapist
430. Diversional Therapist
431. Enrolled Nurse
432. Massage Therapist
433. Community Worker
434. Family Support Worker
435. Residential Care Officer
436. Youth Worker
437. Child Care Worker
438. Out of School Hours Care Worker
439. Hotel Service Manager
440. Beauty Therapist
441. Tour Guide
442. Travel Consultant
443. Flight Attendant
444. Diving Instructor (Open Water)
445. Other Sports Coach or Instructor (Wushu Martial Arts Coach or Yoga Instructor Only)
446. Sports Development Officer
447. Contract Administrator
448. Program or Project Administrator
449. Office Manager
450. Legal Secretary
451. Conveyancer
452. Clerk of Court
453. Insurance Loss Adjuster
454. Clinical Coder
455. Insurance Agent
456. Retail Buyer
Step 2: Check if your occupation is subject to any caveats
LIN 24/093 not only specifies the occupations that are eligible for the ENS Direct Entry stream, but also outlining 16 different “inapplicability provisions” (also known as caveats) which may apply to select occupations:
Item 1
(a) the position has nominated annual earnings of less than AUD180,001; and
(b) if the nominee is to be transferred to fill the position—the transfer is not an intra‑corporate transfer to which an international trade obligation applies.
Item 2
The position is a clerical, bookkeeper or accounting clerk position.
Item 3
The position is involved in mass production in a factory setting.
Item 4
The position is in a limited service restaurant.
Item 5
The position predominantly involves responsibility for low‑skilled tasks.
Example 1: Fruit picking or packing or feeding of livestock or animals.
Example 2: Truck driving.
Item 6
The position:
(a) is based in a front‑line retail setting; or
(b) predominantly involves direct client transactional interaction on a regular basis; or
(c) predominantly involves selling educational courses to individual students; or
(d) is based in a call centre and does not require a significant technical knowledge of products.
Item 7
The position:
(a) is not a full‑time position; or
(b) is not based in a therapeutic setting; or
(c) involves the provision of non‑medical relaxation massage; or
(d) is in a retail setting.
Item 8
The position:
(a) is not located in a commercial building or shopping centre environment; or
(b) predominantly involves managing the provision of only one particular service to a facility or managing one particular relationship.
Example: Managing the cleaning contract for a facility but not other contracts relevant to the facility.
Item 9
The position relates to retail mobile phone repairs or other small consumer mobile devices including tablets, smart watches, handheld gaming devices, portable media players etc.
Item 10
The position relates to mass or standardised production (as opposed to specialist production), including the following:
(a) a position based in a franchise or factory;
(b) a position that:
(i) involves full or partial production of food product for distribution to another location; or
(ii) predominantly involves the use of pre‑prepared food product from another location.
Item 11
The position is in a business that has an annual turnover of less than AUD1,000,000.
Item 12
(a) the position is in a business that has an annual turnover of less than AUD1,000,000; and
(b) if the nominee is to be transferred to fill the position—the transfer is not an intra‑corporate transfer to which an international trade obligation applies.
(c) the position is in a business that has fewer than 5 employees; and
(i) if the nominee is to be transferred to fill the position—the transfer is not an intra‑corporate transfer to which an international trade obligation applies.
Item 13
The position is in a business that has fewer than 5 employees.
Item 14
The position is not provided for under an International Trade Obligation
Item 15
The position has nominated annual earnings of less than AUD120,000.
Item 16
The position is a brothel keeper.
Not all occupations are subject to the above caveats, and different occupations may be subject to different caveats. For instance:
The Accountant (General), Management Accountant and Taxation Account occupations are subject to inapplicability conditions 2, 11 and 13, which means that these occupations are not available for nomination where the position is a clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk position (Item 2), where the position is in a business that has an annual turnover of less than AUD1 million (Item 11), and where the position is in a business that has lesser than 5 employees (Item 13).
The Chef and Cook occupations are subject to inapplicability conditions 3 and 4, which means that these occupations are not available for nomination where they are involved in mass production in a factory setting (Item 3) and where the position is in a limited service restaurant (Item 4).
The Baker and Pastrycook occupations are subject to inapplicability condition 10, which means that these occupations are not available for nomination where they relate to mass or standardised production (as opposed to specialist production), including where they are based in a franchise or factory, or where they involve full/partial production of food product for distribution to another location or predominantly involve the use of pre-prepared food product from another location.
In summary, if any relevant inapplicability provisions apply to:
your nominated occupation; and
the actual position you are being nominated in within your employer’s business;
-your employer will not be able to nominate you in this occupation for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream, but you may still be eligible for another employer-sponsored or skilled visa.
Step 3: Check if you are eligible for a skills assessment in the nominated occupation
You will need to obtain a positive skills assessment before you are able to proceed with a Subclass 186 visa applications in the Direct Entry stream, as the relevant skills assessing authority must have assessed your skills as being suitable for the nominated occupation within the three (3) years before your Subclass 186 visa application is lodged.
Each occupation has its own designated skills assessing authority, and each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges. In particular, some skills assessing authorities may require formal qualifications for certain nominated occupations, while other skills assessing authorities may accept more work experience as a substitute for the lack of formal qualifications. It is therefore important to check the relevant skills assessing authority’s requirements to determine whether you would be eligible for a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation, as you cannot apply for a Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream.
The best way to find out which skills assessing authority you should be applying to for a skills assessment is by checking the current occupation list, i.e. in LIN 24/093, which outlines relevant skills assessing authority for each of the 456 occupations.
Another way to find out which skills assessing authority you should be applying to for a skills assessment is by checking the Department of Home Affairs’ combined list of eligible skilled occupations tool. By searching for your nominated occupation at “Search” and narrowing it to 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) at “Select visas”, you will be able to ascertain the skills assessing authority for your nominated occupation:
You can then visit the relevant skills assessing authority’s website or contact them to find out what the requirements for obtaining a positive skills assessment in your occupation are, and whether you meet these requirements.
I need help with my Subclass 186 visa application - where can I get assistance?
Our immigration lawyers at Inclusive Migration have extensive experience in advising prospective migrants to Australia about their employer-sponsored, skilled migration and family migration options in Australia.
Should you wish to discuss your eligibility for a Subclass 186 visa or about migrating to Australia through employer-sponsored and/or general skilled migration pathways, please email info@inclusivemigration.com.au, submit an enquiry using the contact form on our website or send us a message via WhatsApp at +61 490 704 775.
