Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa
The ENS program is an employer sponsored permament resident visa for skilled foreign workers. Eligibility is dependent on a number of factors including the occupation, age, and salary of the candidate. For further information, review the FAQs here.
Target Market
- Established businesses in Australia
- Established business overseas seeking to enter Australia
- Employees with job offers from companies
Stream types
- Temporary Residence Transition stream
- Direct Entry Stream
- Labour Market stream
Nomination requirements
- The 186 visa requires the nominator to demonstrate that there is a genuine need for the nominee to work as a paid employee under its direct control, and nominate an occupation on a specified list
Visa Requirements
- Various requirements depending on stream (see tabs above)
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa
This ENS 186 visa allows skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, to live and work in Australia permanently. General eligibility requirements are set out on this page, but you can refer to more detailed checklist here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- must be nominated by their employer
- must be genuinely performing the tasks of the nominated position
- the Temporary Residence Transition stream is for those who have worked with their nominating employer on a SID / TSS visa for 2 years in their occupation
- the Direct Entry stream is for applicants who have a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation
- applicants must be under 45 years of age (although the Temporary Residence Transition stream provides some exemptions)
- must demonstrate at least competent English
- must meet relevant health and character requirements
- 50% of applications: 6 months
- 90% of applications: 16 months
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa
The ENS visa (also referred to as the Subclass 186 visa) allows adequately skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, to reside and work in Australia permanently, as well as apply for Australian citizenship, if specific eligibility criteria is met. The key 186 visa requirement of this stream is to have worked with a sponsoring employer on a valid SID / TSS visa for at least 2 of the last 3 years.
Nomination requirements
- the business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia
- there must be a genuine need for the visa applicant in the nominated position under its direct control
- the business must have the capacity to employ the individual in that position for 2 years
- the position must be full time and available for at least 2 years from the time the visa is granted
- the position must have a salary that is at least (a) $73,150 per annum and (b) at least the annual market salary rate for the nominated occupation
- the position must be subject to conditions of employment that are no worse than those that apply (or would apply) to Australians performing equivalent work in the same location
Visa requirements
- must have been employed in their nominated occupation in Australia as the holder of a TSS/SID 482 visa for at least 2 out of the last 3 years
- be genuinely performing the tasks of the nominated position
- have competent English
- be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
- meet any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements
- satisfy the relevant health and character criteria