Employer Nomination Scheme - 186 Visa

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) enables Australian employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia.Employers can employ skilled workers from overseas or temporary residents who are already here visiting or working in Australia.

ENS visa has 3 streams:

Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Choose this stream if you hold a 457 visa and has worked for your employer for 2 years in the nominated occupation and your employer wants to offer you a permanent position in that occupation.
The Regional Certifying Bodies

• must certify that the position is in high demand in the regional area, each RCB has their own rules and charges for processing this part of the application which usually take 1 to 2 months

Direct Entry Stream

Choose this stream if you have never, or only briefly, worked in the Australian labour market, or have not held a subclass 457 visa for the last two years with your nominating employer, or if you are applying directly from outside Australia.

Agreement Stream

Choose this stream if you are being sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement.

To apply for this visa, you should:

• Be nominated by an approved employer
• Be younger than 50 years of age
Meet the English language requirements
• Meet the skills, experience and qualifications requirements

There are exemptions relating to age, skills and English language ability. These depend on your nominated occupation, salary and past work experience.

The benefit of this visa is that it will allow you and any dependent family members’ permanent residency in Australia.