Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa that allows Australian businesses to fill genuine skill shortages by sponsoring qualified overseas workers for permanent residence.

Benefits

• Immediate permanent residency in Australia.
• Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
• Access to Medicare (Australian Public Health Service).
• Pathway to Australian citizenship (subject to residency requirements).
• Include partner and dependent children in the application.

There are three main streams under the 186-visa program

Direct Entry (DE)

• For skilled workers nominated directly by an employer
• Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)

• For 457/482 visa holders who have already been employed for at least 2 years in the past 3 years in Australia.
• An employer remains your most recent approved sponsor, either as a standard business sponsor or under a Labour Agreement.

Labour Agreement (LA)

For workers sponsored under the labour agreement with special terms and concessions.

• An employer has a labour agreement in place with the Australian Government
• Occupations and Permanent Residency Pathway must be included in the labour agreement

The Application Process on each stream

•  Nomination: Employer lodges a nomination for a genuine, full-time, ongoing skilled position available for at least 2 years.
• Visa Application: After the nomination is lodged, the employee and family members can apply for the Subclass 186 visa

 Employer & Job Requirements

• Employer must be lawfully operating a business in Australia.
• The position must be:
  • Genuine, skilled, full-time, and ongoing for at least 2 years.
  • On the relevant skilled occupation list (except for TRT stream).
  • Paid at or above both:
    • Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR), and
    • TSMIT: $76,515 from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
• Employment conditions must be no less favourable than for Australians in equivalent roles.
• Employer must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy:
  • Small business (< $10M turnover): $3,000 one-off.
  • Large business (≥ $10M turnover): $5,000 one-off.
• SAF levy is non-transferable to employees and limited refund grounds apply.

Visa Applicant Key Requirements

• Age: Under 45 years (unless exempt).
• English: At least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). Exemptions for UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, NZ passport holders.
• Skills & Experience:
  • Direct Entry: positive skills assessment + 3 years’ post-qualification experience.
  • TRT stream: 2 years in the last 3 years with sponsoring employers on 482/457 visa.
  • Labour Agreement: Must meet requirements of the agreement, and it may include semi-skilled roles, negotiated English/age concessions.
• Must meet health and character requirements.
• Hold (or be eligible for) any required licenses or professional registrations

Visa Conditions

• Subclass 186 holders become permanent residents on grant, and there is no regional restriction.