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Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186) allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently, sponsored by an approved Australian employer/business.
Once the employer nominates the applicant (Stage 1), the permanent visa application may then be lodged (Stage 2).
Applicants who have worked for the employer for two years on a Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482) may qualify under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream (link).
In some cases, applicants may also be eligible to apply directly for permanent residency without holding a Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482), depending on their occupation and circumstances.
Given the complexity of the Work Visa process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186), the applicant must generally:
Be under 45 years of age.
Not hold certain visas that prevent further onshore applications.
Have complied with all previous visa conditions.
Be nominated by an approved Australian employer or business sponsor.
Be employed on a Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482) in the nominated occupation for that sponsor (TRT only).
Select an occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
Possess the skills and employment background required for that occupation.
Have at least three years of verifiable work experience in the nominated role (DE only).
Hold the relevant qualifications (where required).
Obtain a positive skills assessment (DE only).
Meet the English language requirement.
Satisfy the character and health criteria.
The criteria listed above represent the minimum requirements only. Additional information and supporting documentation may be required from both the applicant and the sponsoring employer to confirm eligibility.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
Streams of the ENS Visa
The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186) offers two main streams:
1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
Applicant is in Australia on a Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482) or a Bridging Visa linked to one.
Has worked for the sponsoring employer for at least two years and remains employed with them.
Can provide verifiable evidence of the two years of employment.
The nominated occupation must be included on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream
Applicant may be in or outside Australia.
Prior employment with the sponsor is not required.
Must have at least three years of post-qualification experience in the nominated occupation.
Must provide verifiable employment evidence covering the three-year period.
Must hold a positive Skills Assessment for the nominated occupation.
The occupation must appear on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
Prerequisities (Sponsor)
Stage 1 – Nomination Application
The sponsor must nominate the applicant for a position that appears on the relevant Skilled Occupation List. This involves demonstrating a genuine need for the role and offering terms and conditions of employment that meet Australian standards, among other criteria. Some nominated occupations may also be subject to specific caveats or additional requirements. More information for Business Sponsors can be found in this link.
Only after the nomination has been submitted can the applicant apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186), which is Stage 2.
The first stage, which involves the employer or sponsoring business, can be complex and document-intensive, requiring careful preparation and compliance with all Department of Home Affairs requirements. For personalised guidance and an assessment of your sponsor’s circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
Evidence of Experience
For the Direct Entry Stream, the applicant must demonstrate that they possess the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation and have at least three years of verifiable work experience (post-qualification) and the qualifications required for that occupation. This experience must be full-time (or an equivalent period of part-time work) and verifiable.
To evidence this, applicants may provide (but are not limited to):
Qualification certificates and testamurs.
Professional registrations or licences.
Employment references from previous employers.
Updated curriculum vitae.
Payslips.
Bank statements showing wage deposits.
Superannuation records.
In some cases, if the applicant does not hold formal qualifications, additional relevant full-time experience may be accepted in lieu of qualifications, depending on the occupation and the specific requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, depending on the circumstances.
Furthermore, applicants are also required to complete a Skills Assessment to verify that their skills meet Australian standards for the nominated occupation.
Applicants under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream must provide verifiable evidence that they have worked for their sponsoring employer throughout the duration of their Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482).
English Language Requirements
If the applicant holds a valid passport from New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America, they are exempt from undertaking an English language test.
Applicants who do not hold a passport from one of the above countries, or who do not meet any other exemption, must achieve the minimum required English test scores in a single attempt within three years prior to lodging the visa application.
Accepted English language tests include:
IELTS General Training.
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System).
PTE Academic.
LanguageCert Academic.
Michigan English Test (MET).
Occupational English Test (OET).
CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program).
TOEFL iBT.
Important: The Department of Home Affairs does not accept online or remote-proctored English tests (also known as “at-home” tests). Only results from officially supervised, in-person tests are accepted for Australian visa purposes.
Visa Application Charge
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $4,910 for an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186).
If a spouse and/or dependent children are included in the application, additional DHA fees apply.
In addition to the DHA fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, which may include:
Immigration health examinations.
Skills Assessment (DE only).
Australian police clearance certificates.
Overseas police clearance certificates.
Registration of relationship (if applicable).
Certified translations of documents.
Bank or credit-card surcharges.
Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
After the Visa Lodgement
If the applicant is overseas at the time of applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186), it is generally recommended that they remain outside Australia while awaiting a decision.
If the applicant is in Australia when lodging the visa, and depending on the visa currently held, they will usually be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) on the day of application. This BVA takes effect the day after their current substantive visa expires, allowing them to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on their Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186).
Should the applicant wish to travel overseas during this time, they must first apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently indicates an average processing time of 1.5 years, though this varies regularly.
Many work visa applications prepared and lodged by Andreas Athanasiou have been approved in shorter timeframes, due to the submission of comprehensive, decision-ready applications prepared with precision and attention to detail.
After the Visa Decision
Once the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS) (Subclass 186) is granted, the applicant becomes a permanent resident of Australia.
As a permanent resident, they may live, work, and travel freely within Australia and overseas, while continuing employment with their sponsoring business for at least two years.
In the following link you can find testimonials by past Clients and by individuals who have sought Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou.
These have been extracted from our Google Business page.
Our ‘Peace of Mind’ Policy
Our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has dedicated over a decade to helping people build a future in Australia. Being an immigrant himself, is journey is deeply personal — he understands that every visa is not just an application, but a life, a dream, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow.
With more than 1,000 visas successfully prepared, Andreas has supported individuals and families from over 100 countries, each with their own story. Many of our clients began this journey feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain — but they found comfort, clarity, and success when they placed their trust in him. You can read more about his journey in our About Us section.
Whether you meet Andreas in person in Melbourne or speak with him via Zoom from anywhere in the world, you will be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Your concerns will be heard, your questions will be answered, and your future will be handled with care.
We offer a full 1-hour complimentary consultation because you deserve time, attention and genuine guidance — not rushed advice or expensive upfront fees. We firmly believe you should not have to pay hundreds of dollars just to understand your options, or be charged heavily before receiving real clarity.
We are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. In the unlikely event your application is refused, Olympus Migration will prepare and lodge a new application or appeal to the Tribunal at no additional professional fees, if you are eligible. This is our promise to you, and our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy. We do this because we believe in you — and we don’t give up on our clients.
At Olympus Migration, you are not just another file.
You are our family — and your journey is our mission.
What is the Process?
Why Olympus Migration?
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over a decade of experience and more than 1,000 successful visa lodgements to his name.
Fixed Fees
We operate strictly on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency with no hidden costs or unexpected charges at any stage. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months for our valued clients.
Prompt Service
Our clients are the heart of our company and the very reason we exist. We are deeply committed to their complete satisfaction, treating every matter as a top priority and always responding within the same business day.
Peace of Mind
In the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply or appeal the decision without charging any additional professional fees to Olympus Migration clients. This is our commitment to you — our Peace of Mind policy.
Book a Complimentary 1-Hour Consultation
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary 1-hour consultation to assess your eligibility using any of the options below:
• Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au
• Call: 1300 804 204
• Message us directly (in this section)
We are available 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
• Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
• Satellite Office: Epping VIC 3076
All Office meetings are by appointment only