Nurse Researcher — 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 Nurse Researcher for migration purposes is handled by: ANMAC.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Nurse Researcher × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Nurse Researcher (ANZSCO 254212) is eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, a permanent employer-sponsored visa enabling skilled workers to live and work in Australia when nominated by an approved employer. This occupation appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), allowing employers with genuine shortfalls of nurse researchers contributing evidence-based knowledge to clinical practice improvement and health policy to access this pathway. The 186 visa is available via the Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, or Labour Agreement stream. Sponsoring employers must hold approved business sponsor status, conduct labour market testing, and ensure pay and conditions meet Australian standards. A positive skills assessment from Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is required, verifying that overseas qualifications and clinical experience meet Australian registration standards for the Nurse Researcher role. English language proficiency and health and character checks are mandatory. Government fees and skills assessment charges apply; processing times range from several months to over a year. The Subclass 186 confers permanent residence, with a pathway to Australian citizenship after the required residence period. 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 Nurse Researcher
- 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 Nurse Researcher
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.