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A guide to calculating FWHIT earnings for the ENS 186 visa exemption (Updated 3 July 2025) 186Employer SponsoredENS 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 Tew
3 July, 2025
Age exemptions for Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visas (Updated on 3 July 2025) business186ENS 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 Zhang
3 July, 2025
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) 186482Employer SponsoredENS VisasSkills 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 Huynh
24 February, 2025
What are the visa options to hire foreign talent as an employer? (Updated on: 29 January 2025) business186400 Visa408482494Employer SponsoredENS VisasImmigrationSkills 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 Lim
29 January, 2025
Increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from 1 July 2024 australian resident visa186482491494Employer Sponsored

Increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $70,000 to $73,150. This will affect new nomination applications for Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visas. Such applications will need to ensure that nominees are paid above the new TSMIT of $73,150 or the…
admin
29 May, 2024
Implementation date for changes to the employer sponsored migration program 186Employer Sponsored

Implementation date for changes to the employer sponsored migration program

In May 2023 the Minister for Home Affairs (Hon Clare O’Neil) announced changes to the employer sponsored migration program (see here) which included, among other things, access to permanent residency for “short-term” Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) (TSS) visa holders via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) (ENS) visa. Implementation date for changes to…
Mihan Hannan
2 November, 2023
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in a nutshell 186482494Designated Area Migration Agreement

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in a nutshell

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are formal agreements between the Australian Government and certain regional State or Territory authorities. It is not a visa in itself, but opens up a pathway for employers in these designated regional areas to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers, for positions that they are unable to fill with local workers. With current and growing labour shortages…
Sonia Campanaro
20 September, 2023
The new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement immigration parent visa186482Employer SponsoredLabour AgreementsLabour Market Testing

The new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

In May 2023, the Albanese Government announced the introduction of an Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Broadly speaking, Labour Agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market, and where standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available. A useful blog post about Labour Agreements…
Mihan Hannan
19 June, 2023
Major changes to Australia’s migration program child migration australia186482Employer SponsoredENS VisasTSS

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 Tew
2 May, 2023
Age exemption for legacy 457 workers applying for ENS visas and the removal of onshore renewal restrictions for certain TSS visa holders in STSOL occupations 186457 visa482Employer SponsoredTSS

Age exemption for legacy 457 workers applying for ENS visas and the removal of onshore renewal restrictions for certain TSS visa holders in STSOL occupations

Recent changes to Australia's employer sponsored program includes: an age exemption for "legacy 457 workers"; and removal of onshore renewal restriction for eligible Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa holders in occupations on the Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). These are in addition to previous changes (see here) providing certain Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) (Subclass 457) and Subclass 482…
Mihan Hannan
6 April, 2022
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa checklist child migration australia186Employer SponsoredENS 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 Young
7 October, 2021
What is a Labour Agreement and why is it relevant to employer sponsored visas? 186482494Employer SponsoredENS VisasLabour AgreementsTSS

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 Tew
18 August, 2021
What are the English requirements for an ENS (Subclass 186) visa? 186EnglishENS Visas

What are the English requirements for an ENS (Subclass 186) visa?

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 Hannan
15 December, 2020