Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
Work & Settle in Australia
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) allows skilled foreign workers to live and work permanently in Australia.
This visa is for employees nominated by an approved Australian employer and provides a direct pathway to Permanent Residency (PR).
What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa?
✔️ The ENS Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
✔️ Available through three streams – Direct Entry Stream, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream, and Labour Agreement Stream.
✔️ Provides full work and residency rights, access to Medicare, and eligibility to sponsor family members.
✔️ No age limit exemptions for high-income earners and regional occupations.
✔️ Offers a direct PR pathway without requiring additional temporary work visas.
Who Can Apply for an ENS Visa?
✔️ Skilled Professionals – Applicants working in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
✔️ TSS Visa Holders (Subclass 482) – Employees who have worked for an employer in Australia for at least 2-3 yearsunder the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa.
✔️ Direct Entry Applicants – Candidates with a skills assessment and three years of relevant work experience.
✔️ Employer-Sponsored Workers – Workers with job offers from an Australian business that is an approved sponsor.
✔️ Regional Skilled Workers – Applicants willing to work in regional areas may qualify for additional PR pathways.
✔️ Applicants Under Labour Agreements – Workers sponsored under a Labour Agreement between an employer and the Australian government.
Advantages & Benefits of ENS Visa
✔️ Permanent Residency (PR) from Day One – ENS Visa 186 provides direct PR status, allowing visa holders to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
✔️ Work Flexibility – No restrictions on employer, industry, or location after visa approval.
✔️ Access to Medicare & Social Benefits – ENS visa holders can access Australia’s public healthcare system and other social security benefits.
✔️ Sponsorship for Family Members – Spouses and dependent children can also obtain PR and work or study in Australia.
✔️ Pathway to Citizenship – Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after four years of residency.
✔️ No Ongoing Visa Renewal – Unlike temporary work visas, ENS visa holders do not need to renew their visa regularly.
Types of Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa Streams
Eligibility & Requirements for ENS Visa
✔️ Job Offer from an Approved Australian Employer – Employer must be registered as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS).
✔️ Skills & Work Experience – Minimum three years of experience in the nominated occupation.
✔️ English Language Proficiency – IELTS (minimum 6.0 in each band), PTE, or TOEFL.
✔️ Health & Character Requirements – Medical examination and police clearance certificate required.
✔️ Salary Compliance – Sponsored workers must be paid the Australian market salary rate.
✔️ Age Limit – Must be under 45 years (some exemptions apply).
Documents Checklist for ENS Visa Application
✔️ Valid Passport – Must be valid throughout the visa process.
✔️ Job Offer Letter – Official employment contract from an approved Australian employer.
✔️ Skills Assessment Report – Required for Direct Entry applicants.
✔️ Educational Qualifications – Degree, diploma, or trade certificates.
✔️ Work Experience Proof – Employment references, contracts, or payslips.
✔️ English Test Results – IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL (if required).
✔️ Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) – Criminal background check.
✔️ Health Examination Report – Medical clearance from an approved panel physician.
✔️ Salary Evidence – Proof of salary meeting the Australian market rate.
ENS Visa Fees & Processing Time
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Fees (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Stream (Subclass 186) | 6-12 months | $4,640 |
| TRT Stream (Subclass 186) | 6-10 months | $4,640 |
| Labour Agreement Stream | Varies | $4,640 |
| Employer Sponsorship Application | 2-4 months | $420 |
| Nomination Fee (Employer Pays) | 2-4 months | $330 |
Occupations in Demand for ENS Visa Holders
✔️ Healthcare Professionals – Nurses, doctors, aged care workers, physiotherapists.
✔️ IT & Technology Experts – Software developers, cybersecurity analysts, data scientists.
✔️ Construction & Engineering Workers – Civil engineers, electricians, welders, plumbers.
✔️ Education & Teaching Roles – Early childhood educators, secondary school teachers.
✔️ Finance & Business Professionals – Accountants, financial analysts, HR managers.
✔️ Skilled Tradespeople – Mechanics, bricklayers, refrigeration technicians.
✔️ Mining & Energy Sector Jobs – Geologists, mining engineers, project managers.
✔️ Agriculture & Farming Workers – Fruit pickers, livestock handlers, dairy farm workers.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for an ENS Visa
✔️ Step 1: Secure a job offer from an approved Australian employer.
✔️ Step 2: Employer submits Nomination Application under the ENS Visa (Subclass 186).
✔️ Step 3: Gather all required documents (job offer, skills assessment, qualifications, etc.).
✔️ Step 4: Submit the ENS Visa Application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
✔️ Step 5: Complete biometrics & health checks.
✔️ Step 6: Wait for PR approval (Processing time: 6-12 months).
✔️ Step 7: Receive Permanent Residency & Start Working in Australia.
Australia Job Market Trends for ENS Visa Holders
✔️ IT & Tech Industry – Growing demand for software engineers, cybersecurity experts, and data analysts.
✔️ Healthcare & Aged Care – Shortages in registered nurses, aged care workers, and general practitioners.
✔️ Construction & Infrastructure – High demand for civil engineers, project managers, electricians, and plumbers.
✔️ Mining & Engineering – Strong need for mechanical engineers, geologists, and mining project managers.
✔️ Hospitality & Tourism – Rising demand for chefs, hotel managers, and restaurant staff.
✔️ Agriculture & Farming – Farmhands, fruit pickers, and livestock managers needed in rural Australia.
✔️ Education & Teaching – Early childhood educators, secondary school teachers, and university lecturers required.
Salary Insights for ENS Visa Occupations
| Occupation | Average Salary (AUD/year) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineers | $90,000 - $140,000 |
| Registered Nurses | $75,000 - $110,000 |
| Civil Engineers | $85,000 - $130,000 |
| Accountants | $70,000 - $100,000 |
| Electricians | $65,000 - $90,000 |
| Chefs & Hospitality Managers | $60,000 - $85,000 |
| Construction Managers | $100,000 - $150,000 |
| Farm Workers | $50,000 - $75,000 |
Employer Sponsorship Opportunities for ENS Visa Holders
✔️ Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) Sponsorship – For approved employers hiring foreign workers.
✔️ Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 494 to 191 PR Pathway) – Employer sponsorship for skilled workers in regional Australia.
✔️ Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) – For highly skilled professionals in tech, health, and engineering.
✔️ DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) Visas – Special employer sponsorship for regional labor shortages.
✔️ State & Territory Sponsorship – Certain states offer additional employer nomination programs.
✔️ Seasonal Worker Program & Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme – Sponsorship for farm workers and agricultural laborers.
PR Transition Strategies for ENS Visa Holders
✔️ Direct PR Approval – ENS Visa 186 grants Permanent Residency (PR) from the start, eliminating the need for further visa renewals.
✔️ Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) PR Pathway – Employees sponsored under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream of the TSS Visa 482 can apply for PR after 2-3 years of working with the same employer.
✔️ Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) PR Transition – If an ENS visa holder gains additional skilled work experience in Australia, they may qualify for Skilled Independent PR without employer sponsorship.
✔️ Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) PR Option – Some ENS visa holders may apply for state-sponsored PR, especially if they work in high-demand occupations.
✔️ Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 494 to 191 PR Pathway) – Skilled workers in regional Australia under Subclass 494 can transition to Subclass 191 PR after 3 years.
✔️ Labour Agreement PR Pathway – ENS visa holders under a Labour Agreement may transition to PR based on their employer’s agreement with the Australian government.
✔️ Bridging Visa (BVA/BVB) for PR Applicants – Allows ENS visa holders to stay in Australia while waiting for PR approval.
✔️ Pathway to Australian Citizenship – ENS Visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship after four years of legal residency, including at least 12 months as a PR holder.
Faster ENS Visa Processing Tips
✔️ Ensure Employer Completes Nomination Application Properly – Any errors in employer nomination can delay visa approval.
✔️ Submit a Complete Visa Application – Missing documents can lead to processing delays or refusals.
✔️ Use a Registered Migration Agent – Professional assistance increases approval chances and speeds up the process.
✔️ Apply for Priority Processing Streams – Some occupations and employer sponsorship categories receive priority processing.
✔️ Ensure Labour Market Testing (LMT) Compliance – Employers must prove they couldn’t find a local Australian worker before hiring a foreign employee.
✔️ Check Processing Times Before Applying – Apply under priority work streams for faster approvals.
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