Retail Manager (General) — 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 Retail Manager (General) 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.
Retail Manager (General) × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Retail Manager (General) (ANZSCO 142111) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa as it appears on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), enabling Australian retail businesses to sponsor skilled managers for permanent residency. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. Applicants must be nominated by an approved employer sponsor who demonstrates genuine business need for the role and that the offered salary meets current market rates. Labour market testing must be completed prior to nomination. Skills assessments for Retail Managers are typically conducted by the Australian Retailers Association or a relevant assessing authority recognised by the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants must demonstrate substantial experience managing retail operations, including merchandise management, staff supervision, financial reporting, and customer service standards. Applicants must meet English language requirements, pass health and character checks, and be under the applicable age threshold for the visa stream. The Subclass 186 grants permanent residency directly upon approval. Government fees are approximately AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant. Processing times typically range from six to eighteen 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