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The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS-186) enables an overseas employee to be nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently.   This visa is designed to attract skilled workers to fill a skills shortage gap across Australia

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There are two stages to the visa application:

 

1. Company Nomination

 

An Australian employer must file a company nomination.  Nomination is the process of identifying a position to be filled by the visa application.  For the nomination to be approved, the business must:

 

• ensure the company is actively and lawfully operating in Australia; and

• have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill a position in the employer’s business; and

• have a satisfactory record of compliance with immigration law and workplace relations law; and

• pay the training levy; and

• ensure the position in the employer’s business will be full-time, included on the relevant occupation list, ongoing for at least two years and paid at market salary rate; and

• demonstrate there is a genuine need for the position to be filled on a permanent basis.

 

2. Visa Application

 

To apply for a subclass 186 visa, an applicant must demonstrate:

 

• they have met applicable age requirements; and

• have the relevant skills; and

• meet any health character or language requirements; and

• hold applicable registration and licensing.

 

There are three streams available when applying for an ENS Visa:

 

1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream

 

This stream is available to existing subclass 457/482 visa holders who have been working for their employer on a 457/482 visa in the nominated role for a prescribed period.  To qualify, an applicant must:

 

• be a primary subclass 457/482 visa holder; and

• hold registration, licensing or professional membership (if required) for your occupation in the state or territory you will be working.

 

2. Direct Entry Stream

 

This stream is available to skilled workers from overseas.  To qualify, an applicant must:

 

• have their skills assessed by a relevant skills assessing authority; and

• hold registration, licensing, or professional membership (if required) for your occupation in the state or territory you will be working.

 

3. Agreement Stream

 

This stream is available to skilled workers from overseas who can secure a permanent role with an Australian employer under a Labour Agreement. The specific labour agreement dictates the terms and conditions of this stream and the eligibility criteria.

Discuss your 186 visa options with a migration agent today

Our experienced and dedicated agents are specialised in helping employers from across Australia, including the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Contact us to discuss your requirements with one of our professional registered migration agents.

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