Employer Nominated Scheme Visa
Subclass 186
What Is It?
This visa Is a permanent residency visa that requires the sponsorship of a nominating employer. The ENS Visa allows you to work in Australia under one of two main streams, and applicants can either apply directly or, more commonly, transition from a TSS Visa after having worked in Australia for three years.
The Application Process:
Stage 1 – Nomination
Your employer must nominate a skilled position within the business which is fulltime and at least two years.
Stage 2 – Visa Application:
Stage two of the process is the visa application itself, at which time the nominee must demonstrate that they meet the requisite skill level for their occupation and choose from the two main possible pathways.
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT Stream)
This stream allows you to transition from the temporary 457 or TSS Visa.
Stay
Permanent
Employer Requirements
- currently sponsor the applicant on a subclass 457 or 482 (TSS) visa.
- pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy
Employee Requirements
- hold a subclass 457, TSS or related Bridging visa A, B or C
- have worked with the nominating employer on a 457 or TSS visa for at least 3 years in the nominated occupation
- Must be working In a occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), or the Regional Occupations List (ROL)
- have been nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before you apply
- be under 45 years of age at the time of application,
- Have at least Competent English, unless exempt
Cost
The current visa application charge is AUD $3670
The Direct Entry Stream
This stream allows you to apply for to apply directly for the permanent employer sponsored visa.
Stay
Permanent
Employer Requirements
- currently sponsor the applicant on a subclass 457 or 482 (TSS) visa.
- pay the Skilling Australians Fund training levy
Employee Requirements
- have an occupation that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations
- have at least 3 years relevant work experience, unless exempt
- have a positive skills assessment, unless exempt
- be under 45 years of age, unless exempt
- have competent English
Cost
The current visa application charge is AUD $3670
Nomination Requirements
In order to apply for this visa you must be nominated by an employer in Australia. Applicants need to apply for the visa no later than six months of the nomination being approved.
In order to have a nomination approved employer must:
- Offer a full-time employment agreement for at least two years
- Have a genuine need for the Applicant to work in the nominated position
- Meet the training benchmark requirements
- Offer a salary to the Applicant that is equal to the Australian Market Salary
Skilling Australians Fund
A Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is payable for each nomination under the TSS program, as follows:
For businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10m:
- An upfront payment of $3,000 per nominee
For businesses will an annual turnover of more than $10m:
- An upfront payment of $ $5,000 per nominee
The revenue raised from these payments will go towards the training of Australian workers.
Common Questions
What you can do with an ENS Visa?
The ENS Visa allows you to live and work in Australia permanently, apply for Medicare, include family members and may eventually lead to citizenship.
Other Information
Health and character criteria will also need to be met. Police clearance certificates are required for every country in which the applicant has lived for 12 months or more since turning 16 years of age, within the last ten years.
Potential pathways
If eligible, 186 visa holders can go on to apply for Australian citizenship.
Key takeaway
If you’re currently working in Australia or have a job offer, your employer may be able to sponsor you to stay in several ways. The ENS Visa is a permanent visa, however it does have a higher skill level than the 457/TSS Visa. With the direct entry stream, you will also need to have your skills positively assessed. Questra can successfully guide you and your employer on both stages of the ENS Visa.
Are you an employer?
We make the process of employing overseas workers on a permanent basis quicker and easier. Contact us today to see how we can help.
Are you a employee?
We guide you through what it takes to secure a work visa in Australia, and make sure you know your rights and obligations under the law. Talk to one of our migration specialists to find out more.
