Employer Nomination Scheme

Subclass 186 (ENS - Employer Nomination Scheme) is a permanent residence visa sponsored by an Australian employer. It allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia.

Three streams: Direct Entry (skilled workers overseas or on temporary visas, with an occupation on the CSOL), Temporary Residence Transition (for 457 and 482 holders), and Labour Agreement. Each has different requirements.

Direct Entry requires a nominated occupation on the CSOL, a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt. TRT requires 2 years of full-time eligible sponsored employment in the 3 years before you apply, on a 457 or 482 visa, in the occupation the visa was granted for. Home Affairs asks for a skills assessment in the TRT stream only if one is required.

The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor operating a lawful business in Australia. They must demonstrate genuine need for the position.

You must usually be under 45 when you apply. Direct Entry exemptions cover nominated academics, scientists and researchers, and certain Subclass 444 and 461 visa holders; there is no high-income age exemption in Direct Entry. In the TRT stream, 457 and 482 holders are exempt if their earnings in each year of their 2 years of sponsored work were at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold.

Competent English is required. That means IELTS 6.0 in each component, or for tests taken from 7 August 2025 PTE Academic L47 R48 W51 S54, TOEFL iBT L16 R16 W19 S19 or CELPIP 7 in each component. PTE 50 in each component applies only to tests taken on or before 6 August 2025. Citizens with a valid UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport are treated as having Competent English. Family members aged 18 or over need at least Functional English, or a second instalment of AUD 4,890 is charged.

Home Affairs publishes a processing time guide based on recently decided applications, and it is only a guide. Since 19 September 2026 186 applications have been processed in priority order under Ministerial Direction 122: applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, or to law enforcement and defence interests, come first; then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged; then applicants who were outside Australia; then all others. An offshore Direct Entry applicant is therefore processed after onshore applicants unless the application relates to a priority sector.

Yes, spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included. They receive the same permanent residence status upon visa grant.

Most Direct Entry applicants need a positive skills assessment before they lodge, unless exempt. In the TRT stream, Home Affairs asks for a skills assessment only if one is required.

Employers must pay market salary, ensure position is genuine, comply with Australian workplace laws, and meet sponsorship obligations for the visa duration.