Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa – Subclass 186
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa allows Australian businesses to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency. This visa is ideal for employers who want to retain overseas talent and for skilled migrants seeking long-term employment and permanent settlement in Australia.
Streams of the Subclass 186 Visa
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
- For current holder of Subclass 482 (TSS) or Skills in demand ( 482) visa holders
- Requires applicant to demonstrate 2 years of full-time work with the sponsoring employer in the same occupation or multiple employers
- Business to sponsor applicant need to provide evidence of employment contract for at least 2 years with option of renewal
- Must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
- Direct Entry Stream
- For skilled workers applying from offshore or without holding a 482 visa who must be nominated for an occupation on Core Skills Occupation List https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Documents/core-sol.pdf
- Requires a positive skills assessment and 3 years’ full-time experience
- Must be under 45 and meet English language criteria
- Business to sponsor applicant need to provide evidence of employment contract for at least 2 years with option of renewal
- Labour Agreement Stream
- For workers sponsored under an approved Labour Agreement
- Used when occupations or conditions do not align with standard requirements
- Customised terms and may include concessions
Employer and Applicant Requirements
For Employers
- Nominate a position in an eligible occupation from CSOL occupation list for subclass 186 Direct application pathway
- Pay the market salary rate and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy at least $73,150 plus superannuation of market salary rate whichever is higher (increase to $76,515 from 1st July 2025)
- Demonstrate genuine need for the position
For Employees
- Be under 45 years
- Meet English language and health requirements
- Hold a positive skills assessment
- Have at least 3 years full time relevant experience
- For 186 TRT pathway- must show at time of visa application stage that have at least 2 years of full time experience with one or more employers (unpaid leave not counted)
Why Choose Tolic Lawyers?
- Extensive experience with Subclass 186 TRT, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement streams
- Employer-focused solutions for long-term workforce planning
- Led by Principal Solicitor Arnela Tolic, one of Australia’s leading migration lawyers
- Clear guidance from eligibility to visa grant
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