Civil Engineering Draftsperson — 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 Civil Engineering Draftsperson for migration purposes is handled by: EA, VETASSESS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Civil Engineering Draftsperson × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Civil Engineering Draftsperson (ANZSCO 312211) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and MLTSSL, enabling engineering consultancies, infrastructure companies, and government agencies to permanently sponsor skilled civil drafting professionals. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. Employer sponsorship is mandatory, requiring labour market testing to demonstrate local recruitment was unsuccessful. A positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia or Professionals Australia is required, confirming civil engineering drafting qualifications and technical proficiency with CAD and BIM software. Applicants must meet English language requirements and satisfy health and character conditions. Salary must align with Australian market rates. On grant, permanent residency is awarded. Civil Engineering Draftspersons support the delivery of road, bridge, drainage, and utility infrastructure projects, making this a strategically important technical occupation. 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 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
- 189Details →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 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.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 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 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.