Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (“ENS”) visa programme allows businesses operating in Australia to nominate foreign skilled workers to work in a nominated skilled occupation position that is needed for at least 2 years and continuing. This is a permanent residence visa.

Generally, the nominated skilled occupation must be listed in the Medium and Long-term Strategics Skills List (MLTSSL). Some exemptions exist for those who holds or previously held subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa or those who held subclass 482 Temporary Skilled Shortage (Skilled) visa in the Short Term Stream during the COVID pandemic.

There are two pathways under this visa. With some exemptions, the core requirement to each of the pathway are:

• Direct Entry Stream– The applicant must be under 45 years of age, have at least 3 years work experience in the nominated occupation, have competent English and a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.
• Temporary Residence Transitional Stream – The applicant must be under 45 years of age, have competent English and have worked in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years under subclass 482 Temporary Skilled Shortage (Skilled) visa.

Exemptions to age, English, work experience and skills assessment requirements are available in limited circumstances.