Finance Manager — 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 Finance Manager for migration purposes is handled by: CPAA, CAANZ, IPA.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Finance Manager × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Finance Manager (ANZSCO 132211) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through its listing on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), enabling permanent employer-sponsored migration for skilled finance professionals. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested; it requires nomination by an approved Australian employer. Applicants may access the Direct Entry stream with a positive skills assessment confirming that qualifications and experience meet the standard expected of a Finance Manager in Australia. Assessment is typically conducted by CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), or the relevant approved body for this occupation. Alternatively, the Temporary Residence Transition stream is available to holders of Subclass 482 or 457 visas with at least two years of employment with the sponsoring employer. Key requirements include being under 45 years of age, holding competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), demonstrating at least three years of relevant experience in financial management (Direct Entry), and meeting standard health and character requirements. Employers must hold approved sponsor status and complete labour market testing. Processing for the Subclass 186 generally takes six to fifteen months and fees start from approximately $4,770. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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 Finance Manager
- 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 Finance Manager
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.