Panelbeater — 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 Panelbeater 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.
Panelbeater × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Panelbeaters (ANZSCO 324111) are eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency through employer sponsorship. This occupation appears on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), confirming its availability under the ENS program. The Subclass 186 visa is not points-tested. The sponsoring employer must hold approved sponsor status, demonstrate a genuine need for the role, and confirm that no suitable local worker is available. Labour market testing is a mandatory prerequisite before lodging the nomination. A positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is required. Assessors evaluate overseas qualifications, trade experience, and occupational competency against Australian standards. Applicants must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt), meet English language proficiency requirements, and satisfy health and character checks. The visa is available through both the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams. Government processing fees apply at both the nomination and visa application stages. 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 Panelbeater
- 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 Panelbeater
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.