Ship's Engineer — 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 Ship's Engineer for migration purposes is handled by: AMSA.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Ship's Engineer × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Ships Engineer (ANZSCO 231212) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa as it appears on the Regional Occupation List (ROL). This pathway enables Australian maritime operators to sponsor skilled marine engineers for permanent residency. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. Applicants must be nominated by an approved employer sponsor who demonstrates genuine need for the role and that the offered salary meets market rates. Labour market testing must confirm unsuccessful local recruitment prior to nomination. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the relevant skills assessing authority for Ships Engineers. AMSA assesses the applicant's marine engineering certificates of competency, sea service time, and professional qualifications against Australian maritime standards. Certificates of competency issued under STCW conventions are assessed for recognition under Australian regulations. Applicants must hold valid AMSA certificates appropriate to their role, meet English language requirements, and satisfy character and health checks. The Subclass 186 grants permanent residency directly upon approval. Government fees are approximately AUD 4,770. 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
Other visa pathways for Ship's Engineer
State nominations for Ship's Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.