ENS Visas

Changing Employers on an ENS Visa: Before Applying, During Processing and After Grant

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa, also known as the 186 visa or ENS 186 visa, is a permanent residency visa that requires sponsorship by a specific employer. Because this visa is tied to your employer, changing jobs at different stages can lead to very different outcomes. Below is a practical breakdown of what happens if you change…

Alyse Lee11 November, 2025

186 English ENS Visas

What are the English requirements for an ENS (Subclass 186) visa? (updated: 8 August 2025)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) program consists of employer sponsored visas for skilled foreign workers in high demand occupations. The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent resident visa and eligibility depends on a number of factors including the occupation, age, or salary of the candidate. For further information about the ENS program generally, you can refer to our dedicated page…

Mihan Hannan8 August, 2025

186 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas

A guide to calculating FWHIT earnings for the ENS 186 visa exemption (Updated 3 July 2025)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa ordinarily has an upper age limit of 45 years, meaning that once an applicant turns 45 years old, they will need an age exemption to be eligible. We have a separate article that addresses the various applicable age exemptions. This article deals with the most common of the age exemptions, being "Subclass 457/482…

Jordan Tew3 July, 2025

186 ENS Visas

Age exemptions for Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visas (Updated on 3 July 2025)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa offers businesses the possibility to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency (see here for further information). Ordinarily, applicants must be below 45 years of age at the time of application. Like many rules however, there are several exceptions which may allow certain individuals to qualify for the visa even after reaching 45.…

Edison Zhang3 July, 2025

482 494 ENS Visas TSS

Increases to skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025

On 24 March 2025, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6% from 1 July 2025. What are the changes? These income thresholds impact a number of visa categories, and a summary table is below: Income Threshold Change from / to (AUD) Impact Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) $73,150 to $76,515 This…

Mihan Hannan24 March, 2025

Employer Sponsored ENS Visas

ENS visa processing times and in demand occupations (updated on: 24 February 2025)

A shortage of skilled workers is an ongoing challenge in Australia and globally. Businesses in Australia are able to consider the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa to hire foreign workers as a solution to local labour market shortages. Whilst businesses are entitled to hire foreign workers on both temporary and permanent visas, the process can be time-consuming. ENS…

Mihan Hannan24 February, 2025

Employer Sponsored ENS Visas

A brief guide to the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa (updated on: 24 February 2025)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa allows businesses to sponsor foreign workers on permanent visas. Nominated workers can already be living and working in Australia as temporary residents or living and working outside Australia. Very broadly speaking, a successful ENS application requires a nomination and a visa application. For further information about this program, please refer to our…

Mihan Hannan24 February, 2025

186 482 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas Skills in Demand

What is the difference between the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) (SID) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa? (Updated: 24 February 2025)

The Skills in Demand (SID) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa are both employer sponsored visa programs which allow employers to bring skilled workers into Australia for selected occupations. Both visas are very similar in the sense that they allow the visa holder to reside in Australia, work full-time and have their family accompany them. However, there are some clear…

David Huynh24 February, 2025

186 400 Visa 408 482 494 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas Immigration Skills in Demand

What are the visa options to hire foreign talent as an employer? (Updated on: 29 January 2025)

As a business, there are several visa options which can facilitate access to foreign workers, the most appropriate of which will depend on the individual’s skill level, the duration of stay, duties required, and of course, cost. So what are the options? This primer sets out a number of employer supported visa options, including the: Skills in Demand (subclass 482)…

Lucinda Lim29 January, 2025

482 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas Skills in Demand Sponsorship

Accredited Sponsorship and the benefits for employers (Updated on 18 December 2024)

Accredited Sponsorship status is granted to those employers who meet specific criteria set out by the Department of Home Affairs (Department). Accredited Sponsors receive preferential treatment from the Department for a range of employer sponsored visas, including particularly the Skills in Demand (SID) Subclass 482 visa. This results in faster turn-around times and less scrutinised applications. What does sponsorship accreditation grant…

Jordan Tew18 December, 2024

186 482 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas TSS

Major changes to Australia’s migration program

Last week, the "Review of the Migration Systems Report" was released to the public. This report was commissioned by the Minister for Home Affairs in September 2022 to undertake a comprehensive review of Australia's migration systems, inviting submissions from the public and relevant stakeholders. The 195 page report addressed the shortcomings of the existing systems and processes, and proposed a…

Jordan Tew2 May, 2023

186 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa checklist

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa is an employer sponsored visa for skilled foreign workers employed in specified occupations. The visa enables suitable employees to live and work in Australia permanently where a suitable Australian worker cannot be sourced. Eligibility for the 186 visa is dependent on several factors, including the occupation, age, and salary of the candidate.…

Emily Young7 October, 2021

186 482 494 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas Labour Agreements TSS

What is a Labour Agreement and why is it relevant to employer sponsored visas?

A labour agreement is a negotiated agreement between a company and the Department of Home Affairs (Department) to be able to sponsor foreign nationals for a visa. Typically, it is utilised where “standard” visa programs are not of assistance, hence why a special arrangement must be entered into. There are also several different types of labour agreements, each serving a…

Jordan Tew18 August, 2021

482 Covid Employer Sponsored ENS Visas Immigration Labour Market Testing TSS

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration releases its interim report on Australia’s Skilled Migration Program

On 18 March 2021, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration (the Committee) presented an interim report for its inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program. It makes 12 welcome recommendations focused on Australia’s recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also makes submissions in relation to Australia’s international competitiveness in attracting entrepreneurs, venture capital, start-ups, and the best…

Mihan Hannan20 March, 2021

482 Employer Sponsored ENS Visas TSS

COVID-19 Update: New concession arrangements for TSS / 457 visa holders applying for employer sponsored permanent residence

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted Australia’s labour market. Many workers who are employed by businesses operating within Australia have been stood down, have had their hours reduced or have been required to take unpaid leave. This includes Subclass 482 (TSS) and Subclass 457 (457) visa holders. You can read more about the obligations for employers and visa holders in…

Mihan Hannan24 November, 2020

Employer Sponsored ENS Visas General Skilled Migration TSS

The classification challenge in immigration: what is a Data Scientist as defined in ANZSCO?

In many industries, some of the most in-demand occupations or specialities did not exist 10 or even 5 years ago, and the pace of change is set to accelerate. In recognising that Data Scientists are a “new and emerging” occupation not currently covered by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)…

Jordan Tew1 November, 2019

ENS Visas Health Immigration TSS

Navigating the health requirements for your Australian visa application

Applicants and members of the family unit who apply for a visa may need to undertake health examinations to prove that they meet the health requirement. In some cases, non-applying family members may also need to undertake health examinations. Who needs to undertake the health examinations? Usually, it is the visa applicant and members of their family unit who are…

Mihan Hannan7 March, 2019

457 visa ENS Visas Global Talent Scheme Innovation Occupation Lists TSS

OPINION: Why start-ups appear unlikely to use the GTS – we ponder on the GTS pilot three quarters of the way in

On 1 July 2018, the ‘Global Talent Scheme’ (GTS) pilot was rolled out for an expected 12 months, comprising of two streams: Established businesses stream for businesses that are either publicly listed or with an annual turnover of at least $4 million in each of the past 2 years; and Start-up stream for certain start-ups operating in a technology or…

Jordan Tew22 February, 2019

ENS Visas Occupation Lists

ENS Eligibility Summary and the Transitional Arrangements

Broadly speaking, the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows skilled workers in Australia to apply for permanent residence under one of three streams. These are the: Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream; Direct Entry (DE) stream; or Labour Agreement stream. Below is a summary of the TRT and DE stream requirements and the impact of the transitional arrangements. The Labour Agreement requires…

Mihan Hannan11 December, 2018

457 visa ENS Visas Immigration Updates Sponsorship TSS

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and it’s impact on employer sponsored visas

On 22 May 2018, the Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2018, and the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017 received royal assent. On 6 August 2018 legislation was released confirming that the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy will be effective from 12 August 2018. SAF levy Employer sponsored nomination applications lodged on or after 12 August 2018 must…

Mihan Hannan8 August, 2018

ENS Visas Global Talent Scheme Immigration Updates Innovation

Welcoming the “Global Talent Scheme” and our analysis at first glance

In March 2018, the government announced that they would pilot the ‘Global Talent Scheme’ (GTS) which would comprise of two streams under the Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) (TSS) visa. Hannan Tew gave our analysis on this initial announcement here. On 1 July 2018 the GTS pilot was rolled out and further clarification has been provided (noting though that it…

Jordan Tew9 July, 2018

457 visa ENS Visas Occupation Lists TSS

Traffic Light Bulletin: 2018 Mid-Year Update to Occupation Lists

The Department of Jobs and Small Business is responsible for reviewing the composition of the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) to identify occupations that would benefit from skilled migration for the purpose of meeting the skill needs of the Australian economy. Theses lists then impact the…

Mihan Hannan22 June, 2018

457 visa ENS Visas Immigration Updates TSS

Immigration Update: Skilling Australians Fund and Labour Market Testing

On 9 May 2018 Bill’s establishing the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) and tightening existing labour market test (LMT) criteria were passed in Parliament. Although a commencement date for the new legislation has not yet been determined, the changes are expected to come into effect in June 2018. Skilling Australian Fund Levy Legislation The Bill to establish the SAF Levy passed…

Mihan Hannan15 May, 2018

ENS Visas Immigration Updates Occupation Lists

Comparison of the significant changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

After much deliberation, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has introduced a host of legislative instruments which establish in law the changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) program. These changes have been discussed by the Department for almost 12 months (see our summary here) and largely reflect the initial proposals. A breakdown of the implementation of these…

Mihan Hannan20 March, 2018

457 visa ENS Visas Global Talent Scheme Immigration Updates TSS

Our take on the new visa scheme to attract skilled global talent (Global Talent Scheme)

The 457 visa was replaced over the weekend by the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa - the culmination of nearly a year of gradual changes being implemented and uncertainty for many businesses and individuals. Since the government’s announcement of the reforms to the 457 visa programme, the changes have largely been criticised by many prominent figures in the tech…

Jordan Tew20 March, 2018

457 visa ENS Visas Immigration Updates

The “Traffic Light Bulletin”: What happens when your occupation is removed from a skilled occupation list?

From 19 April 2017 the occupation lists that underpin the employer sponsored program (including Subclass 457 and Subclass 186 visas) as well as those underpinning the skilled migration program (including Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visas) were significantly condensed from 651 to 435 occupations, with 216 occupations removed and access to 59 other occupations restricted. The Department of Immigration and…

admin28 November, 2017

ENS Visas Innovation

Partnership with York Butter Factory

Hannan Tew are strong advocates of the innovation and entrepreneurship space, and we firmly believe in the value of working together and helping bold new ideas to grow. All these ideals are personified by York Butter Factory (YBF), a leading start-up incubator in Australia and an important contributor to the start-up ecosystem in Melbourne. In addition to their vibrant co-working…

admin17 November, 2017

ENS Visas Immigration Updates

ENS and RSMS: What has changed from 1 July 2017?

With the Department's flurry of activity in the days before 1 July 2017, see how the changes regarding occupation lists, age and English, impact your eligibility for permanent residence through Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas. Occupation Lists Eligible occupations for the Direct Entry (DE) stream of the ENS will be those listed in the Short-term…

admin1 July, 2017