ENS VISA

Securing highly skilled talent is only half the battle; retaining them long-term is where your business truly gains a competitive edge. If you have identified a skilled worker whose expertise is vital to your operations, the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186) provides a direct pathway for them to live and work in Australia permanently.

Unlike temporary shortage visas, the Subclass 186 visa is a permanent residency visa, making it an exceptional tool for Australian employers looking to build a stable, long-term workforce and reward their most valuable international staff.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the ENS Subclass 186 visa, the available streams, and what is required to successfully nominate a candidate.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To successfully nominate a worker for the Subclass 186 visa, both the Australian business and the applicant must meet strict criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.

For the Applicant:

• Must possess the necessary skills, qualifications, and relevant work experience for the nominated role.

• Must be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless specific exemptions apply).

• Must have at least Competent English.

• Must meet strict health and character requirements.

For the Employer:

• The business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia.

• You must formally nominate the applicant for the skilled position.

• The nominated salary must meet the required skilled visa income thresholds, which are indexed annually to align with market rates.

The Three Streams of the Subclass 186 Visa

The ENS visa is divided into three distinct pathways to accommodate different employment circumstances. The base visa application cost across all streams starts from AUD 4,910.00.

1. Direct Entry Stream

This stream is for skilled workers who have not worked for their nominating employer on a temporary visa long enough to qualify for the transition stream, or who are applying directly from outside Australia.

• Key Requirement: The applicant's occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list (such as the Core Skills Occupation List).

• Work Experience: The applicant generally requires at least three years of relevant work experience in their occupation and a positive skills assessment.

2. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

This is the most common pathway for employers looking to retain staff who are already working for them in Australia.

• Key Requirement: The applicant must currently hold a Subclass 457, Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), or an eligible bridging visa.

• Work Experience: The applicant must have worked full-time for your business in the nominated occupation for at least two years before you can nominate them for permanent residency.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is exclusively for skilled workers nominated by an employer who has an active labour agreement negotiated with the Australian Government.

• Key Requirement: The nominating business must be a party to an industry or company-specific labour agreement. This is often used when standard visa programmes do not accommodate the specific skills shortage a business is facing.

Secure Your Workforce for the Future!

Navigating permanent residency sponsorships requires strategic planning and a thorough understanding of migration compliance. A successful nomination ensures you lock in the talent your business needs to grow without the constant turnover of temporary visa holders.

If you are ready to explore permanent sponsorship options or transition your current temporary staff to permanent residents, we can help streamline the process. Book a free employer consultation with our team at Konnecting today to discuss your workforce strategy.

Source of Information: The details provided in this article are sourced directly from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs