Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, or subclass 186 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers. It provides a pathway for new applicants or TSS visa holders who meet its entry requirements.

This visa requires the sponsorship of a nominating employer.

ENS 186 visa  application criteria

To be eligible for this visa, applicants need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be nominated by an employer with at least 2 years of employment terms;
• Your nominated position must be on the 186 Visa Occupations List;
• Applicant must have had at least three years of work experience relevant to the nominated position;
• You may be required to have a positive skill assessment result for your nominated position;
• Applicants must meet the Competent English language requirements: IELTS overall score 6.0 (with at least 6 for each of the 4 components ) or PTE 50 (with at least 50 for each of the 4 component);
• A maximum age requirement of 45 at the time of application will apply for Direct Entry stream applicants. However for TSS visa Transition Stream applicant, the age can be up to 50 years of age;
• Exemptions are in place for those who are over 45 years of age or want to have skills exemptions and whose nominated earnings would be over A$180,000.

ENS 186 visa has three (3) streams

1. The Direct Entry Stream is for applicants who meet the above listed criteria and have worked in their nominated occupation for at least 3 years at a skill level. Their 186 nominated occupation is on the 186 Visa Occupations List.
2. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for TSS 482 visa holders who have worked for the same employer for 3 years for TSS 482 visa Medium & Long Term  occupation, and the same employer wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
3. The Labour Agreement stream is for those sponsored by an employer through a labour agreement.