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What is a Employer Nomination Scheme Visa – Subclass 186?
The 186 visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa, is a category of permanent residency visa within the Australian immigration system. It enables skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in Australia through employer sponsorship. This visa is designed to address skill shortages by allowing Australian employers to nominate foreign workers who possess the required skills and qualifications for specific positions that cannot be readily filled by the local labour market.
Subclass 186 Stream
There are 3 streams for the Subclass 186 Visa. The requirements vary depending on the stream for which the applicant is eligible or applying.
Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Visa (Subclass 186) is for applicants who have never held a temporary Australian visa or worked in Australia before. Temporary residents with a 457 visa may be eligible to apply under this stream if they do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream. The application must be made from outside Australia.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT) of the Employer Nomination Visa (Subclass 186) is for applicants who are currently living in Australia and have previously held a temporary 457 visa. They must have worked for the same employer for up to two years in the same occupation for which the employer is now offering a permanent position. The employer must have submitted a valid nomination to the Home Affairs Department and must not be subject to a labor agreement. In summary, the TRT stream is for those who have worked for the same employer for at least 2 years in the same occupation and employer willing to offer a permanent position and have a valid nomination from employer.
Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement Stream is for applicants who hold a Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457) and were sponsored by their employer through a labor agreement. To be eligible for this stream, the applicant must meet the age, skill, and English language requirements specified in the agreement.
Eligibility Criteria
Checklist
- English Language proficiency certificate dated within the last three years.
- Police certificates from home country or current country of residence, proving good character.
- Form 80 for character assessment.
- Skills Assessment or proof of industry body registration.
- Exemption documents for Skill Assessment, if applicable.
- CV/Resume.
- Proof of National ID such as passport, birth certificate, national identity card.
- Proof of name change, if relevant.
- Marriage certificate, if relevant.
- Signed Australian values statement.
- Health assessment evidence, to be submitted by healthcare provider.
- Age exemption documents, if over 45 years old.
- Dependent or partner documents including national ID, English test results, health assessment results, and character documents.