Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) – Subclass 186
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Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) – Subclass 186
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is Australia’s primary permanent employer-sponsored visa. Unlike temporary work visas, it grants permanent residency from the date it’s approved — no renewals required.
At a Glance
| Points | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency, granted immediately on approval |
| Family | Partner and dependent children can be included |
| Rights | Live, work and study in Australia without restriction, access Medicare, and eventually apply for citizenship if eligible |
| No SAF levy | Unlike temporary sponsorship, the Skilling Australians Fund levy doesn't apply to Subclass 186 applications |
The Three Streams
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
for those who already hold a Subclass 482 or former Subclass 457 visa and have worked full-time with their sponsoring employer for at least 2 years. No formal skills assessment is generally required, and there’s no upper age limit for this stream.
- Direct Entry stream
for skilled workers who haven’t held a 482 visa long enough to use the TRT pathway, or have never held an Australian work visa. This stream generally requires a positive skills assessment and applicants must usually be under 45 (exemptions apply).
- Labour Agreement stream
for workers nominated by an employer operating under a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government, including DAMAs.
Eligibility
- Nomination from an approved employer
- Meet the relevant salary threshold — currently aligned with the Core Skills Income Threshold, AUD $79,499 for nominations from 1 July 2026
- Competent English (unless exempt)
- Meet health and character requirements
- No outstanding debts to the Australian Government
- Under 45 years of age (Direct Entry stream, exemptions may apply)
How the Process Works
- Confirm your eligible stream and, for Direct Entry, complete a positive skills assessment
- Your sponsoring employer lodges a nomination for a genuine, ongoing full-time position
- You lodge your visa application, generally within 6 months of nomination approval
- Provide health, character and supporting documents
- Receive your permanent residency grant
Processing generally takes 6–12 months, though this varies by stream and case complexity.
Why the 186 Visa Is a Strong Choice
For many skilled migrants already in Australia on a 482 visa, the ENS 186 is the fastest and most direct route to permanent residency — offering stability for you and your family without the uncertainty of the general points-tested skilled visa system.
🔗 Department of Home Affairs — official visa page: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186
Let Us Help
Choosing the right stream and preparing a strong nomination is critical to a successful outcome. Speak with our team about your Employer Nomination Scheme visa options.