Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) Visa

Stage 1 – Nomination

Before applying for the visa, employers need to submit their nomination request to the Department of Home Affairs. This involves demonstrating:

• Genuine position: Employers need to establish authentic reasons to hire skilled workers for full-time positions that will remain available for at least two years.
• The employer needs to show consistent adherence to Australian immigration and workplace laws.
• The applicant must receive a salary from their employer that meets or exceeds the market rate for their occupation in Australia.
• Employers need to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy for each nomination they submit. The levy amount varies based on the business’s annual revenue:

(The revenue from these payments contributes to the training of Australian workers.)

Stage 2 – Visa application

You must submit your visa application through the Department of Home Affairs after the nomination is approved or within six months of receiving approval for any stream. During this phase, you need to fulfill all the requirements which are specific to your selected visa pathway.

Stay: Permanent
Employer requirements

• Actively and lawfully operating in Australia.
• Currently sponsoring the applicant on a Subclass 457 or 482 (TSS) visa.
• SAF levy paid.
• Full-time, genuine role for two years.
• Salary meets the Australian market rate.

Employee requirements

• Hold a Subclass 457/482 (or Bridging A, B, C).
• Change effective 7 Dec 2024: At least two years (was three) employment with sponsoring employer(s) in the last three years.
• Change effective 7 Dec 2024: No occupation-list restrictions (STSOL roles now eligible).
• Nomination approved within the past six months.
• Under 45 years (unless exempt).
• At least Competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent).

Visa application charge (VAC): AUD 4,770 (primary applicant) + family fees if applicable.

Direct entry stream (DE stream)

The skilled workers who seek to apply for this visa must either be in Australia or not meet the requirements of the TRT stream. The visa application needs both a successful skills assessment and work experience that matches the requirements.

Stay: Permanent
Employer requirements

• The business must maintain active and lawful operations in Australia.
• The business must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
• The employer must guarantee that the nominated position exists as a genuine full-time position for at least two years.
• The nominated occupation requires the employee to receive the Australian market salary rate.

Employee requirements

• The occupation must be found on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), effective from 7 Dec 2024.
• Three years of experience in your nominated profession must be demonstrated after receiving your qualification unless there is an exemption.
• You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation unless you meet certain New Zealand-citizen exemptions.
• The candidate must not surpass 45 years old at application time unless they belong to a specific academic or scientific field or hold a medical position or earn a high income. (currently AUD $175,000 per year for two of the last three years)
• The applicant must prove Competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent).
• Your nomination needs to come from an Australian employer who received approval for their nomination during the preceding six months.

VAC: AUD $4,770 (primary) – additional fees apply for family.

Labour agreement stream

The Australian Government allows skilled workers to apply for this stream through formal Labour Agreements with employers. The Labour Agreement Stream serves to meet particular labour needs that the government has identified.

Stay: Permanent
Employer and employee conditions are set by the specific Labour Agreement (skills, English, age, salary). Employers must show genuine need and comply with all terms.

Employer Nominated Scheme Visa – Processing Times

The processing duration for visas depends on the visa stream and applicant profile together with government workload requirements. The official government source provides the most accurate and current information about visa processing times.

🔗 Check current visa processing times