EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME VISA (SUBCLASS 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, commonly known as the ENS visa, is a permanent visa that lets an Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker to fill a genuine, ongoing vacancy in their business. It is one of the main pathways to permanent residence for employer-sponsored skilled workers in Australia.
To qualify, an applicant generally needs a nominated occupation that meets the current occupation list requirements for their stream, competent English (an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in each component), and, for the Direct Entry stream, a positive skills assessment. Age limits and other criteria also apply and vary by stream and exemption category.
Book a consultation with our migration lawyers to find out which stream applies to you and what’s involved.
OUR SUBCLASS 186 ENS VISA LAWYERS
Our migration lawyers act for both employers and applicants across all types of skilled and employer-sponsored visas, including every ENS 186 stream.
We can help you with:
- advice on the sponsorship, nomination and visa application requirements that apply to your circumstances
- a tailored document checklist setting out exactly what’s needed to meet each visa requirement
- collating and reviewing your supporting documentation
- preparing detailed submissions to the Department of Home Affairs addressing each visa criterion and the evidence provided
- preparing and lodging both the nomination and visa applications, along with supporting evidence
- advice on lodgement status, ongoing sponsorship obligations, and current processing times
THE THREE ENS VISA STREAMS
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION (TRT) STREAM
The TRT stream suits Subclass 482 (or former Subclass 457) visa holders whose employer wants to move them into a permanent role in the same occupation. Applicants generally need to have worked for their sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years within the 3 years before the nomination is lodged. Read more about how this requirement changed in our article on recent changes to the employer-sponsored migration program.
DIRECT ENTRY (DE) STREAM
The Direct Entry stream is for workers who are new to the Australian labour market and don’t have the qualifying period of onshore employment needed for the TRT stream. It’s the pathway that accommodates applicants who are ineligible for TRT. To qualify, the nominated occupation must be on the relevant occupation list at the time the nomination is lodged, and applicants generally need at least 3 years of relevant work experience plus a positive skills assessment, along with any other stream-specific criteria.
LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM
This stream is for workers nominated by an employer who is party to a current labour agreement with the Australian Government. Eligibility requirements are set out in that specific agreement, which can vary the standard occupation, salary, age and skills criteria.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ENS VISA
- Check eligibility: confirm the applicant’s occupation, skills, age, and English language ability against the requirements of the relevant stream.
- Lodge a nomination application: the sponsoring employer submits a nomination through the Department of Home Affairs’ online portal.
- Prepare the visa application: once the nomination is approved, the applicant gathers supporting documents and evidence.
- Lodge the visa application: the applicant submits their ENS visa application online, alongside the required evidence.
Because processing times, occupation lists, and eligibility criteria change frequently, it’s worth getting advice before you lodge.
BOOK YOUR ENS VISA CONSULTATION
Every application is different, and visa requirements change frequently, so it’s best to get advice specific to your circumstances. With offices in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne, book a consultation with our migration team today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between the TRT and Direct Entry streams?
The TRT stream is for eligible Subclass 482 (or former 457) visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer in the role for the required period. The Direct Entry stream is for workers without that qualifying period of onshore employment, and requires a positive skills assessment and the required years of relevant work experience instead.
Is there an age limit for the ENS visa?
Yes. Applicants generally need to be under a set age limit at the time of application, though exemptions apply in certain circumstances, including for some high-income earners and workers in regional areas. Our team can confirm whether an exemption applies to your situation.
Can I include family members in my ENS visa application?
Yes, eligible family members can generally be included as dependent applicants, subject to health, character and English language requirements.
How long does an ENS visa application take?
Processing times vary depending on the stream, the complexity of the nomination, and current Department of Home Affairs workloads. We can advise on current indicative timeframes when we review your circumstances.
Do I need a skills assessment for the ENS visa?
A positive skills assessment is generally required for the Direct Entry stream. It is not always required for the TRT stream, though this depends on the nominated occupation and stream-specific criteria.
