Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa - A Detailed Overview

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa allows skilled workers to work, study, and live in Australia permanently. It is a permanent residence visa that requires nomination by an approved Australian employer to address skill shortages in various industries if they can’t find qualified Australian citizens. Some of its benefits are:

• Permanent residency in Australia.

• Work and live anywhere in Australia.

• Access to Australia's public healthcare and social benefits.

• Pathway to Australian citizenship.

• Sponsor family members (spouse or children) for permanent residency.

Direct Entry stream

• For skilled workers with three years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation. Read our blog on the 186 visa direct entry stream.

Labour agreement stream

• Skilled workers must be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is a party to a labour agreement.

Temporary Residence Transition stream

• For Subclass 457 and 482 visa holders who have worked full-time for their employer for at least two years.

Both the employer and employee must meet specific requirements to be eligible for the ENS 186 visa. More comprehensively:

186 Visa Requirements for Employers:

• The business must be legally operating in Australia and must meet the requirements to sponsor an employee.

• The position for the specific job must be listed on the Australia Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).

• The business must have enough capacity to employ an individual in a nominated role for at least 2 years.

• The position must be full-time and remain available for at least two years after the visa is granted.

• Proof of Labour Market Testing to show that no skilled and qualified Australian worker is available for the role.

• The nominated position must meet the Australian annual market salary rate (AMSR). 

186 Visa Requirements for Employees:

• Work experience of at least three years in the nominated occupation, or have 2 years of eligible sponsored employment in the 3 years before your application.

• Have at least Competent English.

• Under 45 years of age unless meeting the exempt criteria.

• Have the required qualifications and skills.

• Meet the Australian health requirements.

• Meet the Australian character requirement.

Note: The requirements listed above are the general eligibility criteria for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide additional documents, particularly if you plan to include eligible family members in your application.

The fees for applying for the 186 visa depend on the visa stream and number of dependents, generally:

For Employees:

For Employers:

The processing time for the 186 visa varies depending on factors such as application volume, visa stream, individual circumstances, and updates in immigration policies. But generally:

The application process for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa involves several key steps, such as:

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Consult with MARA-registered migration agents at Search Education to assess your eligibility for the Subclass 186 visa. This ensures you meet all necessary criteria before proceeding.

Step 2: Employer nomination

Before you can apply for the visa, your employer must submit a nomination to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

The Department will assess whether the nominated position meets all relevant requirements, including:

• The occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupation List
• Compliance with the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
• Suitable working conditions and a genuine need for the position

Step 3: Skills assessment

A positive skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority is generally required, particularly for applicants under the Direct Entry stream.

If you are applying under the Temporary Residence Transition stream and currently hold a Subclass 457, 482, or an eligible bridging visa, a skills assessment may not be required.

Step 4: Visa application submission

Once the employer’s nomination is approved, you can lodge your Subclass 186 visa application. Provide accurate and genuine documentation tailored to your specific stream to support your application.

Search Education is an established migration agent in Sydney, Australia. For the last ten years, we have offered professional advice and support with the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa process.

Visa eligibility assessment

We will assess your eligibility for the Subclass 186 visa and assist you in obtaining a positive skills assessment.

Employer sponsorship assistance

We assist employers in meeting sponsorship requirements for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. We also assist businesses in meeting compliance with Labour Market Testing (LMT) and Department of Home Affairs regulations.

Visa application & documentation support

Our certified migration agent will assist you in preparing and submitting the 186 Visa application with accurate documentation. We ensure your documents comply with Australian immigration law to minimize processing delays.

Migration consultation with a registered agent

We are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and have in-depth knowledge of what it takes to secure a visa approval from the Australian Immigration Department. Our certified agents have expert knowledge in all three ENS visa streams, including labor agreement streams, temporary residence transition streams, and direct entry streams, and provide up-to-date information on the latest visa policies and processing times.

Faster and hassle-free visa processing

We specialize in reducing the probability of visa refusals by meeting all requirements for the 186 visa. We provide ongoing assistance from nomination to the visa grant. Both employer and employee can and should seek our expert services.

Get Expert Help Today! Contact Search Education today to determine your eligibility for the Subclass 186 visa and begin your journey toward the Employer-Sponsored PR visa.