Complete Guide to Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186 provides an excellent opportunity for skilled migrants to permanently live and work in Australia. This visa allows a worker who has been nominated by an employer that is unable to find qualified candidates within Australia to come to Australia. There are many skilled migrants worldwide who will be interested in this visa, including many from India, the Philippines, and the UK.

If you are looking for assistance with any aspect of the Subclass 186 visa application process, you may consider contacting a registered migration agent in Perth or another location for assistance with preparing your application and completing all necessary paperwork. Registered migration agents have expertise in Australian immigration law and can simplify the application process from start to finish.

What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa subclass 186?

Visa Subclass 186 Empowerment Nomination Scheme Visa allows Skilled Workers to work and live indefinitely, occupy the role and be given access to many benefits of being a permanent resident in Australia, including public services such as Medicare; the ability to sponsor family members into Australia; an opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting dwelling requirements.

This visa type is employer-sponsored, meaning that an approved and recognised employer must nominate and offer you a position in their business before proceeding with the visa process. The nomination must show a genuine and consistent need for an external worker to fill the skills required by the employer.

Streams Under ENS Visa Subclass 186

The visa has three distinct streams, each designed to cater to different circumstances of applicants:

1. Direct Entry Stream

The Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers who are either outside Australia or have only limited work experience in Australia. Applicants must have:

• A positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.

• English language proficiency (usually IELTS or equivalent).

• Nomination by an eligible Australian employer for a genuine full-time position.

This pathway is popular among overseas professionals who have not previously worked in Australia under temporary work visas.

2. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

The TRT Stream is designed for holders of temporary work visas (typically Subclass 482) who have already been employed by the nominating employer. To qualify:

• Applicants must hold an eligible temporary visa.

• They must have worked with the same employer in the same occupation for at least 2 years.

• The employer must nominate them for a permanent position.

This path is often used by temporary visa holders who want to transition to permanent residency while remaining with their current employer.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream allows employers to nominate employees under special arrangements made with the Australian Government. Where there is an urgent need to fill a position that does not fall within one of the standard skilled migration routes, this is the stream to use. The age, English language, or skill level requirements may also be varied depending on the agreement reached between the employer and the government.

Eligibility Criteria

While eligibility requirements vary by stream, there are general criteria that all Subclass 186 applicants must meet:

General Requirements

• Nomination by an approved Australian employer who is actively operating and can demonstrate a genuine need for the role.

• Age requirement: Typically under 45 years at the time of application, with some exemptions for high-earning applicants or positions in demand.

• Health and character standards that comply with Australian immigration regulations.

• English language proficiency, demonstrated through tests such as IELTS, PTE or equivalent.

• Skills, qualifications, and work experience relevant to the nominated occupation.

Stream-Specific Eligible Conditions

• Direct Entry Stream: A mandatory positive skills assessment and a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience.

• TRT Stream: Typically no skills assessment is required, but at least 2 years of relevant work experience with the sponsoring employer is essential.

• Labour Agreement Stream: Requirements are defined by the individual labour agreement.

Visa Benefits

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186 offers significant advantages:

• Permanent residency in Australia, enabling you to live and work in the country indefinitely.

• Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.

• Freedom to travel to and from Australia for five years from visa grant.

• The ability to apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met.

• Option to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence.

The Application Process

Applying for a Subclass 186 visa involves two major steps:

Step 1: Employer Nomination

A nomination application must first be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs by the employer located in Australia. This application includes information about the job being filled, the pay rate, and some proof that there is a suitable candidate for that position within the organisation. You will need to wait until the nomination has been approved in order to apply for your visa.

Step 2: Visa Application

Once you receive confirmation of your nomination from the employer, you will need to complete your visa application. This will involve gathering all-required documentation, undergoing a health examination (if applicable), completing an assessment of your skills and work experience, providing your English-language test scores (if applicable), obtaining a police certificate as well as any other relevant paperwork required by the Department of Home Affairs .

Subclass 186 Visa Processing Time and Validity

The timeframe to process an application for either Employer Nominated Scheme Visa Subclass 186 has not been set and varies based on multiple variables, including: the visa stream; the nominated occupation; and whether or not the application is complete. If further assessment is required or background checks need to be undertaken, this will lead to an extension of the processing time needed.

Most applications are completed within a few months, but some have been taking more than a year. The current processing times for applications can be found below:

Once approved, the Subclass 186 visa grants permanent resident status. While the residency itself does not expire, visa holders are generally allowed to travel in and out of Australia freely for five years from the grant date.

Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visa Costs

Being aware of the financial commitment involved in the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186 is important before submitting an application. Costs are divided between the sponsoring employer and the visa applicant.

Base Visa Application Fees

Conclusion

Permanent Residency in Australia through the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186 is an ideal Series of streams that offer a permanent residency pathway for Skilled professionals in various fields.

Depending on the stream selected and the job filling the stream, these options provide flexible permanent residency solutions, rather than temporary work visas.

To ensure the greatest likelihood of successfully submitting an application and navigating through the entire process most efficiently, working with an experienced immigration agent Perth or other registered migration professionals is usually a sensible option. Immigrating to Australia will be more achievable when you work with an expert to assist you in meeting your eligibility requirements, knowing timelines, and addressing any document issues.