EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME (ENS) VISA (SUBCLASS 186)
Build a Stable Career with Employer Support
ABOUT THE VISA
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent residence visa which enables skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to reside and work in Australia permanently. The visa is aimed to assist Australian employers to occupy skilled jobs when they do not find appropriate workers among Australian and assist in maintaining the long term stability of the work force.
The ENS visa offers instant permanent residency and access to various benefits, such as Medicare, employment rights and eligibility to apply to be an Australian citizen, provided that he meets the residence criteria.
Applications made under the ENS program receive preference according to the Ministerial Direction No. 105 giving preference to:
Professions that are performed in specific areas.
Medical or pedagogical professions.
Referrals by recognized sponsors.
In the case of the 2025-26 Migration Program, 44,000 places will be assigned to ENS visa program (mainstream and secondary applicants).
STREAMS OF THE ENS VISA (SUBCLASS 186)
The scheme has three streams of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa
01
Direct Entry Stream
02
Labour Agreement Stream
03
Stream Temporary Residence Transition
The eligibility and requirement of each stream are different, as they are described below under general headings.
ELIGIBILITY AND KEY REQUIREMENTS
Direct Entry Stream
Australian employer nomination.
The occupation should be on Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Relevant work experience at least 3 years, except where preferred.
Positive skills analysis (except in exemption cases)
At least Competent English
Where necessary, licensing, registration or professional membership.
Acceptably under 45 years of age at time of application (excepted)
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Nomination by the existing sponsoring employer.
Being a subclass 457, subclass 482 or a qualified bridging visa holder.
Full-time eligible sponsored employment at least 2 years during the past 3 years.
Skills and qualifications required in the nominated occupation.
Where necessary licensing or registration.
Labour Agreement Stream
Nomination by an employer who entered into a labour agreement.
The employment should be based on the labour accord.
Age, skills and English requirements according to the contract.
In the case of application in Australia, a subclass 457 or 482 visa obtained in the form of a labour agreement must be possessed.
Usually, that the age is below 45 years, unless the agreement says so.
SKILLS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM
Most occupations demand positive skills assessment.
At least Competent English
The dependent applicants above the age of 18 years are required to possess at least Functional English or the second instalment fee will be levied.
LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM
In the labour agreement, skills and English are stipulated.
Registration or licensing of the profession where necessary.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION STREAM
Competencies manifested in work with the sponsoring employer.
The requirements defined in English are applicable within the stream.
Australian Values Statement No 1 is to be signed provided one is 18 years or above.
HEALTH AND CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
ACROSS ALL STREAMS
The applicants and their family members should fulfil the health conditions in Australia.
Medical check-ups might be necessary.
Those who have an age of 16 years and above should pass character requirements such as police checks.
Non-migrating family members may also be asked to provide information about their health and character.
BENEFITS OF THIS VISA
As an ENS (subclass 186) visa holder, the visa holder is allowed to
Work, study and live permanently in Australia
Fall under Australian citizenship with a possible application.
Eligible relatives of the sponsor to visit Australia.
Join the public health care program in Australia (Medicare)
5-year travel in and out of Australia including the year of grant.
Recently arrived permanent residents can have to wait to receive some government payments and benefits.
STAY AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS
This is a permanent visa
Permanent residency begins on.
The date of grant of visa in case of the applicant staying in Australia
The first entry date in the event of offshore granting.
The maximum time that travel is allowed is 5 years after the visa is granted.
Once the travel facility runs out the Resident Return Visa (RRV) will be needed to be back into Australia as a permanent resident.
FAMILY MEMBERS
ACROSS ALL STREAMS
These may include family members
At the time of application, or
Once applied but not yet a decision made.
Family members should be satisfying in health and character requirements.
The family members that are eligible include
Partner
Dependent children/ step children
There are other visa application fees charged on every family member.
VISA COST
ACROSS ALL STREAMS
Main applicant: AUD 4,910
There are extra charges to the family members.
SECOND INSTALMENT
AUD 4,890 per dependent aged 18 or more with less than Functional English.
Other costs may include
Health examinations
Police certificates
Biometrics
PROCESSING TIMES
The time processing is different in terms of stream, occupation and the order of priority. Recent grants were normally applied in:
April 2025 - regional occupations
April 2025 - medical or education jobs.
November 2024 - nominations of accredited sponsors.
April 2024 - other applications
Processing can be delayed where applications are not complete or where they have to be verified.
OBLIGATIONS AFTER VISA GRANT
VISA HOLDERS AND RELATIVES HAVE TO
Obey all Australian laws
The nominating employer requires at least 2 years of work before the ENS program.
Start working with the nominating employer within 6 months of granting the visa or entry.
Report to the Department of Home Affairs about any change in circumstance.
APPLICATION PROCESS (OVERVIEW)
Pre-plan - organize English tests and health examinations where necessary.
Collect evidence - skills, employment, identity and character records.
ImmiAccount application.
Following the use of - await evaluation & react to requests.
Visa outcome - written decision.
Before the visa can be approved, the employer nomination approval should be given.
