Metal Fabricator — 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 Metal Fabricator for migration purposes is handled by: TRA.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Metal Fabricator × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Metal Fabricators (ANZSCO 322311) are eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, which provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through employer sponsorship. The ENS visa does not require a points test, making it well-suited to experienced trade workers who have secured an approved employer in structural steel, heavy manufacturing, and infrastructure construction sectors across Australia. The nominating employer must hold approved standard business sponsor status and demonstrate a genuine need for the occupation. Applicants must obtain a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), which evaluates overseas qualifications and work experience against Australian Certificate III in Engineering — Fabrication Trade. Key eligibility requirements include being under 45 years of age, meeting English language proficiency standards, and satisfying health and character checks. Applicants may qualify through the Direct Entry stream based on qualifications and experience, or through the Temporary Residence Transition stream after working for their nominating employer for at least two years on a Subclass 482 visa. 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 Metal Fabricator
- 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 Metal Fabricator
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.