Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)

Reviewed 11 Aug 2026

What is the ENS (subclass 186) visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled professionals for employment in Australia. This visa requires a formal job offer and acceptance for a skilled position in Australia. Applicants must also have the necessary qualifications and relevant work experience. With multiple streams to accommodate different employment situations, the visa is an ideal option for skilled professionals seeking long-term opportunities and employers looking to address labour shortages with qualified talents.

Streams of the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) offers three distinct streams to accommodate different employment circumstances:

The Direct Entry stream of this visa allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia. It is for applicants who have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), at least three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation. Applicants must be nominated by an approved Australian employer and meet English language and other stream requirements.

The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of Subclass 186 allows holders of the Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482) or the Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (Subclass 457) to transition to permanent residency.

Applicants must have worked for their nominating employer(s) in the nominated position for at least two years (in the three years prior to the application), and the employer must sponsor them for a permanent role. This stream also requires meeting English language, skills and other eligibility criteria.

The Labour Agreement stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) allows skilled workers to be sponsored for permanent residency under a formal labour agreement between an employer and the Australian government.

This stream is typically used when standard visa programs cannot meet the employer’s workforce needs. Also, applicants must meet the specific criteria outlined in the agreement, including skills, work experience and English language requirements.

Benefits of the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

  • Live in Australia permanently with no time restrictions.
  • Travel freely to and from Australia for 5 years.
  • Work and study in Australia without limitations.
  • Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible).
  • Sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this visa, applicants must meet the following criteria (our 186 visa requirements guide explains each in detail):

  • Be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless exempt)
  • Meet health and character requirements
  • Demonstrate a Competent level of English
  • Have an eligible occupation listed in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) (Direct Entry stream)
  • Hold relevant work experience
  • Be nominated by an Australian employer
  • Obtain a positive skills assessment (Direct Entry stream)
  • Be licensed, registered, or hold a membership if required for the occupation
  • Have at least 2 years of sponsored employment in the 3 years prior to application (TRT stream)

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Application Process

The application process for the visa involves the two following key steps, depending on the stream (Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition or Labour Agreement).

The employer must submit a nomination application and meet the following criteria:

  • Be legally operating in Australia.
  • Demonstrate a genuine need to hire an overseas worker.
  • Commit to training and developing the local workforce.
  • Offer a fair market salary that meets Australian employment standards.

You can apply for the visa at the same time as your nomination application, or within six months of its approval. Once your application is approved, you will receive a permanent subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa, which can be granted while you’re in Australia or overseas.

Skills Assessment

Applicants for the Direct Entry stream must obtain a skills assessment from designated relevant skills assessing authorities by the Department of Home Affairs.

Visa Fee

  • Main applicant: AUD 6,140
  • Additional applicant charge for 18 and over: AUD 3,070
  • Additional applicant charge for under 18: AUD 1,535

Professional fees may also be payable if you engage a migration agent or lawyer — see our fees.

FAQs

Yes, you can travel in and out of Australia freely for five years. After the five years, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

You must be under 45 years old unless exempt (e.g., high-income earners, academic professionals or regional medical practitioners).

Yes. Eligible family members, like your spouse or partner and dependent children, can be included as the secondary applicants.

Current published figures (checked 2 August 2026): half of 186 applications are decided within 8–9 months depending on the stream, and 9 in 10 within 11–14 months. See our guide to 186 visa processing times by stream for the full breakdown and what keeps a file out of the slow lane.

Applicants typically need to demonstrate at least Competent English, which can be proven through tests like IELTS or PTE.

If your employer withdraws their nomination before your visa is granted, your application will be refused unless another employer nominates you.

Once your visa is granted, you can change employers freely.

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