Employer Nomination Scheme Just Got Easier – Here’s How to Secure Permanent Residency in 2025!
Tracey Wilson
July 11, 2025

The Australian Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), officially known as the Subclass 186 visa, is a cornerstone of Australia's skilled migration program. It offers a direct pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who are nominated by an eligible Australian employer.

As of July 2025, understanding the nuances of the ENS is more critical than ever, especially following recent updates to income thresholds and application processes. This in-depth guide provides a detailed overview of the ENS visa, outlining eligibility criteria, application steps, and crucial policy changes to help both employers and prospective migrants successfully navigate this complex visa pathway.

What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa designed to allow Australian businesses to fill genuine skill shortages by sponsoring qualified overseas workers. Unlike temporary work visas, the ENS grants permanent residence status, enabling the visa holder to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.

The ENS visa is structured around three distinct streams, each catering to different circumstances for the applicant and the nominating employer:

  1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: For skilled workers who have already held a temporary sponsored work visa (such as the Subclass 482 or Subclass 457) and are transitioning to permanent residency with their current employer.
  2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream: For skilled workers who are applying for the ENS directly, often from overseas or while in Australia, without having held a previous temporary sponsored visa, provided they meet the stringent skills assessment and work experience requirements.
  3. Labour Agreement Stream: For employers who have a formal labour agreement with the Australian government, often used for niche industries or specific regional needs where standard visa criteria do not apply.

Key Eligibility Requirements for the ENS Visa (July 2025 Updates)

To be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, both the applicant and the nominating employer must meet specific criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicant Requirements

As of July 2025, key requirements for the visa applicant include:

  • Age: Generally, applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless specific age exemptions apply.
  • English Language Proficiency: A minimum of "Competent English" is required (e.g., IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent).
  • Skills Assessment: Applicants in the Direct Entry stream must typically hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority for their nominated occupation.
  • Work Experience:
    • Direct Entry (DE) Stream: Requires a minimum of three years of relevant post-qualification work experience in the nominated occupation.
    • Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: Requires having worked in eligible sponsored employment for the nominating employer for at least two years on a full-time basis (Note: requirements for the TRT stream may vary based on visa history).
  • Health and Character: Meeting the health and character requirements is mandatory.

Employer Nomination Requirements

The nominating employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the position and meet specific criteria:

  • Financial Capacity and Active Business: The employer must be an actively operating business in Australia.
  • Genuine Position: The nominated position must be genuine, full-time, and available for at least two years from the time the visa is granted.
  • Salary Requirements (Crucial Update for July 2025): The annual salary offered must meet both the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and the relevant income threshold.

Effective 1 July 2025, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which applies to ENS nominations, increased from $73,150 to $76,515 AUD. Employers nominating under the ENS must ensure the proposed salary meets or exceeds this new threshold and the AMSR for the occupation.

Deep Dive into the Three ENS Streams

Understanding which stream applies to your situation is vital for a successful application.

1. Direct Entry (DE) Stream

This stream is suitable for highly skilled workers who have a positive skills assessment and meet the work experience criteria, regardless of whether they have previously worked in Australia.

Example Scenario: A highly skilled Software Engineer living in London is offered a position with an Australian tech company. The engineer has 4 years of experience and a successful skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Since they haven't worked for the Australian employer previously, they would apply via the Direct Entry stream.

2. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

The TRT stream is the most common pathway for skilled workers who have already been working in Australia on a temporary visa (e.g., Subclass 482 – Temporary Skills Shortage visa).

Actionable Advice for TRT Applicants: Ensure you have fulfilled the required period of employment with your sponsoring employer before applying. Maintaining strong communication and demonstrating a consistent, full-time work history is essential.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is less common and applies only when an Australian employer has a negotiated Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. These agreements are typically used to address unique or specific skill needs not covered by standard migration programs.

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The ENS Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for the ENS visa involves two main stages: the employer's nomination and the visa applicant's application.

Stage 1: The Nomination (Employer's Role)

The employer must lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs, providing evidence of the genuine need for the position and adherence to Australian employment laws, including the new salary thresholds.

Key Documentation for Employers:

  • Organizational charts and business financials.
  • Detailed position description and evidence of the Annual Market Salary Rate.
  • Evidence of business operations and financial capacity to support the position.

Stage 2: The Visa Application (Applicant's Role)

Once the nomination is approved, the applicant can lodge their visa application via ImmiAccount.

Crucial Step: ImmiAccount and MFA (July 2025 Update): As of June 18, 2025, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is mandatory for all ImmiAccount users. Applicants must ensure they have enabled MFA before lodging their application to avoid delays.

Key Documentation for Applicants:

  • Passport and identity documents.
  • Skills assessment results (if applicable).
  • English language test results (IELTS, PTE, etc.).
  • Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years.
  • Health examination results.

Processing Times and Costs for the ENS Visa

While processing times can fluctuate based on the quality of the application and departmental volume, the Department of Home Affairs provides guidance for Subclass 186 visa processing.

  • Processing Times (General Estimates as of Mid-2025):
    • Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams often take between 12 to 18 months for 90% of applications to be finalized.
    • Labour Agreement stream applications typically have shorter processing times, often finalized within 5 months for 90% of applications.
  • Visa Application Charges (VACs) (July 2025 Update):
    • Visa application charges have seen a general increase of around 3% effective 1 July 2025, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current base application fee for the Subclass 186 visa is AUD 4,910 (Note: Fees are subject to change and should be confirmed on the official Home Affairs website).

The Benefits of the Employer Nomination Scheme

The ENS visa offers significant advantages for skilled migrants seeking a long-term future in Australia.

Permanent Residency and Australian Citizenship

The ENS visa is a permanent visa, granting the holder the right to live and work in Australia indefinitely. This provides a clear pathway to Australian citizenship, typically after four years of permanent residency.

Access to Services and Family Inclusion

Permanent residents under the ENS visa gain access to Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) and public education system. Furthermore, the visa allows for the inclusion of eligible family members in the application, offering the opportunity for the entire family to relocate to Australia permanently.

Helpful Resources and External Links

Navigating the ENS requires accurate and current information. The following official resources are essential:

  • Australian Department of Home Affairs (Immigration and Citizenship): The authoritative source for all visa requirements, application processes, and policy updates. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website
  • Department of Home Affairs Visa Processing Times: Check the latest processing times for Subclass 186 applications.
  • Registered Migration Agents (OMARA): For professional advice and assistance with your ENS application, utilize the official register of Australian Registered Migration Agents.

The Employer Nomination Scheme remains a vital tool for both Australian employers and skilled international talent. By staying informed about current requirements, particularly the changes effective July 2025, applicants and employers can maximize their chances of a successful outcome and unlock the opportunities of permanent residency in Australia.

Final Thoughts on the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa remains a highly sought-after pathway to permanent residency in Australia for skilled workers. It provides a strategic solution for Australian businesses facing talent shortages while offering international professionals the opportunity to build a long-term future in a stable and thriving economy.

As demonstrated throughout this guide, successfully navigating the ENS requires meticulous attention to detail and up-to-date knowledge of evolving Australian migration policies. The recent changes effective from July 2025, including the increased TSMIT and visa application charges, underscore the dynamic nature of skilled migration.

Whether you are an employer seeking to secure skilled talent or a migrant looking to transition to permanent residency, understanding the specific requirements of the Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, or Labour Agreement streams is paramount.

For a successful application and to ensure compliance with the latest regulations, including the new income thresholds and the mandatory ImmiAccount MFA, professional guidance is highly recommended. The Employer Nomination Scheme offers significant rewards, and with expert support, both employers and applicants can confidently pursue this permanent residency pathway.

Why Choose Go Ahead Migration for Your ENS Visa Journey?
Navigating Australia’s Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) can be complex—but with Go Ahead Migration, you’re in trusted hands. Led by industry expert Sukhwinder Singh, with over 15 years of proven experience, our team offers tailored migration solutions, honest advice, and end-to-end support. Whether you're an employer looking to sponsor skilled talent or a visa applicant planning your permanent residency pathway, we simplify the process and maximize your success. Contact Go Ahead Migration today to turn your Australian migration goals into reality with confidence.

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