Interior Designer — 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 Interior Designer 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.
Interior Designer × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Interior Designers (ANZSCO 232511) may qualify for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, a permanent residence pathway requiring nomination by an approved Australian employer. This occupation's eligibility depends on its inclusion on the applicable skilled occupation list for the relevant stream. The Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream is available to applicants who have not previously held a qualifying temporary sponsored visa. The Temporary Residence Transition stream requires at least two years of employment with the sponsoring employer on a qualifying temporary visa such as the Subclass 482. Skills assessment for Interior Designers is generally conducted by the Design Institute of Australia. This visa is not points-tested. Employers must complete labour market testing unless an exemption applies, and applicants must meet age, English language, and skills requirements. The Direct Entry stream generally has an upper age limit of 45. Processing times are typically 6 to 18 months. Government fees are approximately AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant. Interior Designers with commercial, hospitality, healthcare, or residential specialisations may attract sponsorship from design firms, construction companies, hotel groups, and property developers. 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 Interior Designer
- 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 Interior Designer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.