.png)
186 - Employer Nomination Scheme
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Unlike temporary work visas, this one gives you permanent residency from the outset; as long as you meet the requirements of one of its two streams.
There are two pathways: the Direct Entry stream (for workers outside Australia or with less than 3 years on a TSS/482 visa) and the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream (for workers who have held a 482 visa and worked for their sponsor for at least 2 years).
REQUIREMENTS
Your occupation must be on the 186 Visa Occupations List
English: IELTS 6.0 in each component (or equivalent)
Under 45 (Direct Entry) or under 50 (TRT stream) at time of application
Sponsored and nominated by an approved Australian employer
The nominated position must be genuine
Meet the specific requirements of your stream (Direct Entry or TRT)
Meet health and character requirements
PERMANENT
494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa is a provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by a regional Australian employer. It lets you live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years, with a clear pathway to permanent residency.
After holding the 494 (or 491) visa for at least 3 years and meeting a minimum income requirement (currently $53,900 per year for three years), you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residency visa. Your partner can also be the primary 191 applicant if they can demonstrate the same income criteria.
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
Employer must be located in a designated regional area
Position must be on the list of eligible occupations
Position must be full-time and available for at least 5 years
Employer must obtain approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB)
Employer must pay the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
🛈 State Requirements: While the core requirements above apply nationally, some states have additional RCB processes. Click your state to see specific information.ecific nomination criteria and how to apply.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Under 45 years of age at time of application (exemptions apply)
Competent English at time of application
At least 3 years full-time experience in the nominated occupation (casual work is not counted)
Successful skills assessment at time of application
If currently in Australia, hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B or C
Victoria & New South Wales
South Australia
Northern Teritory
Queensland
Western Australia
Tasmania
PROVISIONAL
482 - Skills in Demand
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. It lets Australian employers address skills shortages by hiring qualified workers from overseas when they can't find a suitable local candidate.
The visa has three streams: Core Skills (for workers in occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List), Specialist Skills (for highly paid specialists), and Labour Agreement (for workers covered under a formal labour agreement). In some circumstances, 482 holders may have a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 or 187 visa.
REQUIREMENTS - CORE SKILLS STREAM
Be nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
Hold a relevant skills assessment (if required for your occupation)
Work only for your sponsor or associated entity (unless exempt)
Meet minimum English: IELTS Overall 5.0, with at least 4.5 in each component
REQUIREMENTS - SPECIALIST SKILLS STREAM
Be nominated in an occupation not on the CSOL but meeting Specialist Skills criteria
Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience
Meet minimum English language proficiency (IELTS Overall 5.0, minimum 5.0 in each component)
Hold a relevant skills assessment if required
TEMPORARY