The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) allows skilled workers, nominated by an Australian employer, to live and work in Australia permanently.

The Subclass 186 Visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) is a permanent residency (PR) visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer.
It’s one of the most direct pathways to Australian PR through employer sponsorship, especially for onshore applicants who are already on temporary visas.
The Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa - Explained Simply.
Get a complete, easy-to-understand guide that covers everything you need to know.
Click download, enter your details, and access SC186: Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Complete visa Guide instantly.

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa is a permanent residency visa in Australia designed for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. This employer-sponsored visa includes three streams the Direct Entry stream, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, and Labour Agreement stream catering to different applicant situations.
The Subclass 186 visa allows you to live and work permanently in Australia, provides access to Medicare, and enables you to sponsor eligible family members. It also offers a direct pathway to Australian Permanent Residency (PR) through employer sponsorship, making it one of the most sought-after options for skilled professionals.


The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, is divided into three streams based on the applicant’s background and work experience. The Direct Entry Stream is for skilled workers applying directly for PR, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream is for applicants already working in Australia on eligible visas, and the Labour Agreement Stream is for specialised roles under government-approved agreements, all offering a direct pathway to permanent residency under the employer nomination scheme.
Who it is for:
Skilled workers with no Australian experience
Work Experience:
Minimum 3 years relevant experience
Skills Assessment:
Required
Employer Requirement:
Standard nomination
Pathway:
Direct PR
Best For: Offshore / new applicants
Who it is for:
482/457 visa holders working in Australia
Work Experience:
2–3 years with sponsoring employer
Skills Assessment:
Not required
Employer Requirement:
Must be current sponsor
Pathway:
Temporary to PR
Best For: Onshore candidates
Who it is for:
Workers under labour agreements
Work Experience:
As per agreement
Skills Assessment:
As specified
Employer Requirement:
Approved labour agreement
Pathway:
Industry-specific PR
Best For: Niche industries
For the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, also known as the 186 visa or subclass 186 visa, the eligibility is divided into general, employer, and employee requirements under the employer nomination scheme visa subclass 186

10 Years of Transforming Lives
A Decade of Transforming Lives through Migration

Data Security
We Use ISO27001-Awarded Migration Software to Protect Data

Years of Cumulative RMA Experience
Deep, Combined Industry Knowledge Smarter Migration Decisions

Corporates & Migrants Advised
Supported with Expert Guidance to Ensure Compliance & Success Throughout the Journey.
Spots for Employer-Sponsored Visas Fill Quickly.
Navigating the SC186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa process can be complex, but the right guidance makes it simple.
The SC186 Visa (ENS Visa) costs include a government application fee along with additional charges for dependents, medicals, English tests, and documentation.
Employers must pay a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy at the time of nomination under the employer nomination scheme.
The SC186 Visa (ENS Visa) criteria include employer nomination, relevant skills and work experience, English language proficiency, and meeting health and character requirements.
Employers must be legally operating in Australia, offer a genuine full-time role, and meet salary and compliance standards.
Applicants must meet minimum English language requirements through approved tests like IELTS, unless exempt.
Dependents may need to show basic English or pay an additional fee if they do not meet the required level.
The 186 visa application is submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs portal along with required documents.
Yes, after visa grant you are not legally bound to stay, but it is expected you work with the sponsoring employer for a reasonable period.
The 186 visa processing time varies depending on the stream and application complexity, but it generally takes several months for approval.
Yes, the SC186 Visa (ENS Visa) Australia for nurses is a popular pathway, provided the occupation is on the skilled list and all eligibility criteria are met.
Take the Risk out of Migration
With our 100% Money-Back Guarantee, you’re not just applying, you’re partnering
with a team that’s invested in your success.
OVER HUNDRED 5⭐ REVIEWS
dion jeram7 April 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire Immigration Hotspot team for their incredible support throughout my visa process. My case involved complicated circumstances and there was very little time to process everything properly. Despite this pressure, the team handled my case with professionalism, dedication, and efficiency. What truly stood out to me was how human, kind, and understanding they were throughout the entire journey. They didn’t treat my case like just another file. They showed genuine care, patience, and empathy, which made a very stressful situation much easier to go through. Their support and reassurance meant a lot to me during this process. I would especially like to thank Neha, Suma, Nina, Omer, Dev, Catherine, and Ashwin, along with everyone else who was involved in my case from the very beginning. It was clearly a team effort, and I truly appreciate the time, attention, and heart each of you put into helping me. I am deeply thankful for your help and would highly recommend Immigration Hotspot to anyone looking for professional, reliable, and genuinely caring immigration assistance. Thank you all again for everything. Dion & Family Bishal Sapkota25 February 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you so much for the wonderful news. It truly meant a lot to receive it from you in person. I would also like to sincerely thank you Nina and the entire team for the excellent support and assistance throughout the application process. Your guidance, responsiveness, and professionalism made a complex journey much smoother for us, and my family and I are genuinely grateful. Thank you as well for explaining the pathway to Permanent Residency through the subclass 191 visa. I would be very happy if you could assist us for our PR application when I become eligible, and I look forward to staying in touch closer to that time. Thank you again. It really means a lot to us. Have a nice day. Best Regards, Bishal/ Soniya/ Aayra Lawrence Mendoza6 January 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an excellent experience working with Immigration hotspot team. All of them are knowledgeable, patient, and truly cares about helping me through every step of the immigration process. Ms. Nina explained everything clearly, made the paperwork stress-free, and was always available to answer my questions. I'm so grateful for her guidance and support - I highly recommend immigration hotspot and her services to anyone looking for trustworthy and professional immigration help!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you so much Immigration hotspot team!🙏 Suvansh Vaid15 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Immigration Hotspot is definitely a highly recommended Australian Migration firm. I got referred by my friend to contact them. When I met with them, they were able to assess the issues and advise me on my pathways ahead. It was a long and challenging 5 year journey however, I am very grateful to the team for their efforts and assistance with my SC190 application. They are professional, experienced, caring and empathetic throughout the process and helped me with my dream come true :). I was recommended to Immigration Hotspot by their past client and I am so glad I chose this team. It has been a blessing for me to have them manage this very stressful PR application process I cannot thank Ashwin and team enough. Keep transforming lives guys! Giovanni Tubil (Gio)9 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work guys can’t forget those tough days intense and stressful moments were IMMI agents and lawyers and applicants are busy exchanging important documents for the application of visa. My experience is one of the toughest I reckon, We apply for my new VISA today then my old visa expires the following day, It was a last two minute move of applying my visa. And the rest is history. Big thanks to the people behind my Visa application for their Hard work and Patience to accumulate all the necessary information and documents for my visa application. THANKS AGAIN 🙏🏼🫶🏿 Rahul Gulati1 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome of my Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Subclass 190 visa application. The entire process was made seamless and stress-free, thanks to the professional and knowledgeable team at Immigration Hotspot. From the initial consultation to the final approval, they provided clear guidance and support every step of the way. The team’s attention to detail, responsiveness, and dedication were outstanding. I felt well-informed throughout, and they ensured that all requirements were met without delay. I highly recommend Immigration Hotspot to anyone looking for expert migration services. They made the entire experience straightforward and successful. Thank you again for your excellent service. Srikanth Manne25 September 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent
OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS

A trusted Australian immigration firm with over 10 years of experience delivering strategic and tailored migration solutions to Australian companies and individuals.
We empower Australian companies by addressing skills and labour shortages through reliable visa sponsorships, having helped 100+ employers and 1000+ global professionals over the years. Our services provide long-term workforce stability and peace of mind to Australian companies and individuals in managing complex immigration processes.
Copyright © 2026 Immigration Hotspot (ABN: 94 164 397 415). All rights reserved. All of our migration agents are registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and adhere to the Code Of Conduct
![]()
Etiam magna arcu, ullamcorper ut pulvinar et, ornare sit amet ligula. Aliquam vitae bibendum lorem. Cras id dui lectus. Pellentesque nec felis tristique urna lacinia sollicitudin ac ac ex. Maecenas mattis faucibus condimentum. Curabitur imperdiet felis at est posuere bibendum. Sed quis nulla tellus.
63739 street lorem ipsum City, Country
+12 (0) 345 678 9
info@company.com