AUSTRALIA • PERMANENT RESIDENCY

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa 186

Build your long-term future in Australia through an employer-sponsored permanent residence pathway for skilled workers.

VISA SUBCLASS 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
Australia ENS Visa

A Permanent Residence Pathway for Skilled Workers

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who wish to work in Australia under an eligible employer nomination. The supplied information describes three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry and Agreement.

Three Pathways

Choose the Applicable Stream

Applicants can apply for the ENS visa under the stream that matches their circumstances and nomination.

01

Temporary Residence Transition

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is intended for eligible temporary skilled visa holders who have worked for the required period in the same occupation with their nominating employer and are offered a permanent position.

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02

Direct Entry Stream

This stream is designed for eligible skilled workers who have not held the relevant temporary visa pathway or have only briefly worked in Australia and who meet the required work experience and nomination criteria.

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03

Agreement Stream

The Agreement stream is for eligible individuals sponsored by an employer through a labour agreement, subject to the terms and requirements of that agreement.

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Australia city and coastline
Permanent Residency Employer sponsored skilled pathway
Who Is It For?

Employer-Sponsored Skilled Migration

The Employer Nomination Scheme is intended for skilled workers who have an eligible Australian employer willing to nominate them for permanent residence.

The applicable stream can depend on the applicant's previous visa history, Australian work experience, occupation, qualifications, English ability and employer nomination.

Applicants should confirm the current requirements before applying because Australian immigration rules and occupation requirements can change.

Application location: The supplied information states that applicants must generally be outside Australia when applying, or if applying from within Australia, hold a valid substantive or bridging visa.
Eligibility

Basic ENS Visa Requirements

Before applying, make sure you can satisfy the applicable requirements for the stream under which you are nominated.

01

Employer Nomination

Be nominated by an approved Australian employer under the applicable eligible occupation and nomination requirements.

02

Age Requirement

The supplied information states that applicants should generally be younger than 50 years of age, subject to applicable exemptions and current rules.

03

Skills & Qualifications

Meet the required skills, qualifications, work experience and occupation requirements for the relevant ENS stream.

04

English Language

Meet the applicable English language requirement for the nominated stream and individual circumstances.

05

Correct Stream

Apply under the ENS stream for which the applicant has been nominated and meets the relevant criteria.

06

Visa & Character Criteria

Meet applicable health, character, visa and other requirements requested by the Australian authorities.

Direct Entry

Who Can Use the Direct Entry Stream?

01

Employer Nomination

You have been nominated by an eligible employer under the Direct Entry stream.

02

Relevant Work Experience

The supplied content states a minimum of three years' work experience in the nominated occupation for the Direct Entry pathway.

03

Skills & English

You satisfy the applicable skills, qualifications and English language requirements.

04

Permanent Position

The employer is sponsoring you for the particular nominated occupation and permanent residence pathway.

Visa Benefits

What the Subclass 186 Visa Can Offer

Permanent Residence

Live and work in Australia on a permanent basis after the visa is granted.

Study in Australia

Study at schools, universities and other eligible education providers.

Medicare

Eligible permanent residents can access Australia's Medicare system according to applicable rules.

Social Security

Access certain social security payments where eligibility requirements are met.

Citizenship Pathway

Become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once the relevant requirements are satisfied.

Family Sponsorship

Eligible permanent residents may be able to sponsor family members under applicable visa pathways.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 is a permanent residence visa pathway for eligible skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
The supplied content describes the Temporary Residence Transition stream, Direct Entry stream and Agreement stream.
Yes. The Subclass 186 is described as a permanent residence visa, subject to the applicant meeting the applicable requirements.
The Direct Entry pathway may be available to eligible applicants who meet the relevant nomination, work experience, skills, English and other requirements.
Eligible dependent family members may be included subject to the applicable visa rules and requirements.