Chief Information Officer — 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 Chief Information Officer for migration purposes is handled by: ACS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Chief Information Officer × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Chief Information Officers (ANZSCO 135111), listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), are eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, providing permanent residence through employer sponsorship. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. An approved employer must nominate the applicant for a genuine CIO role, demonstrating the position cannot be filled by an available Australian candidate and that labour market testing has been completed. Skills assessment for this occupation is conducted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), which evaluates ICT management qualifications and executive leadership experience against Australian professional standards. Applicants must satisfy English language, health, and character requirements. The employer must hold standard business sponsorship approval from the Department of Home Affairs. Indicative fees start from AUD 4,640, with processing typically 12 to 24 months. 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 Chief Information Officer
State nominations for Chief Information Officer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.