The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who are nominated by Australian employers.
Whether you’re an employer looking to fill a critical role or a skilled professional seeking sponsorship, Prosper Migration can help you navigate every step of the 186 Visa process with confidence.
We work with employers of all types, from large corporations to small family-run businesses, to identify the best visa option, prepare the required documentation, and manage the entire sponsorship process from start to finish.
An Employer Nomination Scheme Visa – subclass 186 enables Australian employers to nominate and sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill genuine skill shortages within their business. These visas allow foreign employees to live and work in Australia permanently.
Both employers and employees must meet specific eligibility and compliance requirements. Even a minor error can delay approval or lead to visa refusal, which is why working with an experienced migration agent is crucial.
ENS Subclass 186 is distinct from temporary employer-sponsored visas and is intended for long-term employment where the nominated role meets prescribed skill and salary requriements.
This subsclass is governed by specific nomination and visa criteria and is not interchangeable with other employer-sponsored pathways.
Prosper Migration can assist with a wide range of Australian employer-sponsored visa categories. Each has unique eligibility criteria, duration, and benefits.
The Subclass 186 visa offers a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
There are two main streams:
Employers must offer a full-time skilled position available for at least two years and pay the employee the market salary rate for the role.
Employees can also apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186) in the Labour Agreement stream. A labour agreement allows employers to sponsor overseas workers under special conditions when standard visa requirements can’t be met.
This can apply when:
Some sectors, such as Aged Care and Dairy, already have established Industry Labour Agreements, which streamline and simplify the process for employers.
At Prosper Migration, we’re not just migration consultants, we’re trusted visa professionals dedicated to helping skilled workers and Australian employers connect successfully. Our mission is to make the sponsorship and visa process seamless, transparent, and fully compliant with Australian immigration laws.
With years of hands-on experience in Australian migration and sponsorship law, our team has successfully guided both employers and employees through complex visa pathways, including the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
We stay updated with every change in policy and legislation, ensuring your application is always prepared in line with the latest government requirements.
We believe in complete honesty and clarity from the start. That’s why all our services are offered on a fixed-fee basis, with no hidden charges or surprise costs. You’ll receive a clear quote before we begin, so you can move forward with confidence, knowing exactly what you’re investing in.
Every employer and every candidate is unique, and so is every sponsorship case. From the moment you engage with us, you’ll work directly with an experienced migration specialist who will manage your case from start to finish.
We take time to understand your goals, assess your eligibility, and develop a tailored strategy that maximises your chances of success.
Our process is designed to remove the stress and uncertainty often associated with visa applications. We manage all stages, from initial eligibility checks to nomination, sponsorship, and visa lodgement, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance at every step.
You’ll be kept informed throughout, so you always know where your application stands.
Failure to meet these obligations can result in penalties or cancellation of sponsorship approval, so compliance is key.
(We can assist at every stage to ensure a smooth and timely approval process.)
To successfully nominate an employee for the Subclass 186 Visa, you must meet specific criteria set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. These requirements cover various aspects, including the role being nominated, the salary offered and your businesses compliance with workplace laws. Ensure you meet all criteria to proceed with your application.
(We can assist at every stage to ensure a smooth and timely approval process.)
To successfully nominate an employee for the Subclass 186 Visa, you must meet specific criteria set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. These requirements cover various aspects, including your age, skills, qualifications, and English language proficiency. Ensure you meet all criteria to proceed with your application.
It’s a permanent Australia visa that is granted on the basis that the employee will remain working in the nominated occupation for at least two years after the visa is granted.
The employer lodged a nomination application, followed by the employee’s visa application.
Yes, for certain visa types such as Subclass 186 (Direct Entry), a positive skills assessment is mandatory.
Yes, most Employer Sponsored Visas allow eligible family members to live, work, and study in Australia.
A priority processing direction is in place for this visa category. Visas in the highest processing category can take as little as 4 months. Those in the lowest can take up to 18 months.
The processing categories in order of priority are:
Yes. Spouses and dependent children under 23 years of age can be included in your 186 visa application.
If your child turns 23 during visa processing, they may still be eligible for a visa grant if they held a subclass 482 visa then applying for permanent residence. Check with your migration lawyer.
Yes, expert legal guidance can improve your chances of success and reduces your delays once you are allocated a case officer
The employer must cover the Skilling Australians Fund Levy (SAF) and nomination fee. The employee can cover all other costs including visa application charge, medicals, police clearances and professional fees
If you are an employer considering nomination under the Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Visa, or a skilled worker assessing eligibility, an initial assessment can help clarify applicable requirements and obligations.
