Apiarist — Subclass 186 Pathway
Employer Nomination Scheme visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- Employer sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,770 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~6-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Apiarist for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Apiarist × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
The Apiarist occupation (ANZSCO 121311) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa as it appears on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), making it available for nomination by approved employers in regional Australia. This visa pathway is not points-tested, meaning applicants do not require a specific points score. Instead, an approved employer nomination is mandatory for visa grant consideration. The standard pathway requires candidates to obtain a positive skill assessment from the appropriate assessing authority before employer nomination. For Apiarists, skill assessment is conducted by the relevant professional body, which evaluates qualifications, experience, and English language proficiency against occupational standards. Key requirements include demonstrating genuine work experience in apiculture, meeting English language thresholds, and satisfying health and character obligations. Applicants must also obtain nomination from an employer holding active approval for the Subclass 186 program in a designated regional area. The nomination process involves the employer substantiating labour market testing and demonstrating the genuine need for the skilled position. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.2026-06-26T10:18:49.818Z
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 186. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at application (with limited exemptions)
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation (Direct Entry stream)
- At least three years of relevant work experience (Direct Entry stream)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Apiarist
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Apiarist
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.