Pharmacy Technician — 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 Pharmacy Technician 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.
Pharmacy Technician × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Pharmacy Technician (ANZSCO 311215) is eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, allowing Australian pharmacies and healthcare employers to sponsor qualified pharmacy technicians for permanent employment. The occupation's presence on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) supports regional healthcare workforce strategies. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. Sponsorship from an approved employer is required, and the employer must demonstrate the role cannot be filled through local recruitment. A skills assessment is mandatory, typically conducted by the Pharmacy Board of Australia or an allied health assessing authority, confirming the applicant's pharmaceutical support qualifications and dispensary experience. Applicants must satisfy English language proficiency requirements and pass mandatory health and character checks. Salary must meet or exceed the equivalent Australian market rate. On visa grant, applicants receive permanent residency. This pathway is well-suited to pharmacy technicians seeking to settle permanently in Australia while contributing to the healthcare sector's growing operational demands. 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 Pharmacy Technician
- 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 Pharmacy Technician
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.