The Ultimate Guide to Subclass 186 visa: Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa is a great option for skilled workers looking to live and work in Australia. As the name suggests, this visa is geared toward employers who want to nominate their prospective employees as official job seekers. Once an employee has been nominated, they can apply for their subclass 186 visa as an “employer-nominated” applicant.

This article will highlight what the subclass 186 visa is, eligibility for 186 visa requirements and processes, key tips for applying successfully, and much more. If you’re interested in moving to Australia under the subclass 186 visa scheme, let’s get started!

What Is The Employer Nomination Visa?

The employer nomination visa (SC186 Visa) is one of the many visas available. This Visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. If you qualify, you can apply to be nominated by an Australian employer and be granted an Employer Nomination visa. Another visa you may be familiar with is the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Scheme. The ENS subclass 186 visa and the GSM (SC189 or SC190 or SC491) are two of the many visa streams that are very popular among skilled migration applicants.

The main difference between the two is that the GSM is a points-based system. The GSM is a points-based system that focuses mostly on young age, strong employment and language skills. Those who qualify under this system are usually granted a visa based on their point total.

The subclass 186 visa, on the other hand, is an employer-based visa. This means the visa is granted to the person who gets nominated by an employer to work in Australia. In order to qualify for this visa, you must have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience and a job offer from an Australian employer.

Subclass 186 Visa Requirements

The first thing to know about the ENS visa (subclass 186 visa) is that you must be nominated by an Australian employer. This is why there are also other visas included in the Employer Nomination Scheme. You must also meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for this visa. Here are the requirements in general for all an Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186 visa):

You must have a job offer from an Australian employer.

You must have three years of relevant experience or skills (depending on the job you’ve been offered).

You must have a minimum level of English language proficiency (for instance IELTS 6 in each of the bands).

You must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Types of Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186 Visa)

There are three types of Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186 visa):

The Direct Entry stream (DES) SC 186 Visa

Temporary residence Transition Stream (TRTS) SC 186 Visa

The Labour Agreement Stream SC 186 Visa: You may be eligible for the Labour Agreement stream if you currently work or will work for an employer who is a party to a labour agreement.

There are different criteria that must be met in order to gain access to the visa. Let’s take a look at these three types of Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186 visa) and understand the differences between them so you can choose which one is right for you.

Direct Entry Stream (Subclass 186 Visa)

This is one of the permanent residence visa options for skilled workers in Australia.

With This Visa, You Can:

live in Australia permanently.

To study and work in Australia.

Become a member of Australia's free health care system.

Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

To travel to and from Australia for five years.

To become an Australian citizen, if eligible.

In order to receive this visa, you must:

You must be employed in an occupation listed on the list of eligible skilled occupations.

All applicants, with the exception of those who are exempt, must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in their field.

In certain states or territories, you must be licensed, registered, or a member of a professional association to work.

Most applicants must have an assessment showing they have the required skills for the job.

An Australian employer must nominate you, and your employer must be actively and legally operating.

Be under the age of 45 when you apply.

You must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Have at least adequate English to be granted this visa stream.

Tips: Direct Entry Stream (DES) is attractive to most people as you can apply from overseas or in Australia so long as you have 3 years experience, IELTS 6-6-6-6, positive skills assessment outcome, age below 45 and have an employer who is willing to sponsor you. Please note, that 3 years of experience can be accumulated from various employers whether onshore or offshore.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream ( Subclass 186 Visa)

This is one of the permanent residence visa options for skilled workers in Australia.

With This Visa, You Can:

To live in Australia permanently

To study and work in Australia

Become a member of Australia's free health care system.

Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

To travel to and from Australia for five years.

To become an Australian citizen, if eligible.

In order to receive this visa, you must:

Possess the required skills and qualifications to perform the duties of the specified job. We may request that you undergo a skills evaluation to verify that you have these skills.

In some states and territories, it is mandatory for you to be licensed, registered, or a member of a professional association.

Worked on subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa for at least 3 of the previous 4 years in order to be eligible for this visa.

Be under the age of 45 when you apply.

Have at least adequate English to be granted this visa stream.

Primary visa holder of one of the following visas: subclass 457 (TSS), subclass 482 (TSS), or subclass 457 (TSS).

Meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Sign the Australian values statement if you are 18 or older.

Tips: Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRTS) is attractive to those applicants who may not have formal qualifications and do not have a positive skills assessment outcome. However, TRTS requires the applicant to work with the same employer in Australia for at least 3 years holding SC482 and the same employer needs to sponsor you for the PR SC186 using TRTS.

Labour Agreement Stream (Subclass 186 Visa)

This is one of the permanent residence visa options for skilled workers in Australia. You may be eligible for the Labour Agreement stream if you currently work or will work for an employer who is a party to a labour agreement.

With This Visa, You Can:

To live in Australia permanently

To study and work in Australia

Become a member of Australia's free health care system.

Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

To travel to and from Australia for five years.

To become an Australian citizen, if eligible.

In order to receive this visa, you must:

You are currently working or will work for your employer under a labour agreement.

In some states and territories, it is mandatory for you to be licensed, registered, or a member of a professional association.

Nominated by an employer whose business is operating in Australia and is a party to a labour agreement.

Be under the age of 45 when you apply.

You must be issued a substantive 457 or TSS visa if you are in Australia.

You must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Apply For A Subclass 186 Visa

An Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186 Visa) is a great option if you want to move to Australia. It’s fast and results in permanent residence after a certain period of time. If you meet the requirements above, it could be a great option for you. If you’re unsure of how to apply, you can contact Pace Migration and Education Consultancy as soon as possible.

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