The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 is one of the key pathways for skilled workers to gain permanent residency in Australia. The Subclass 186 visa is designed for skilled workers who are nominated by their employer. This visa provides a direct route to permanent residency, offering the flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.

In this blog, we will cover the different streams under the Subclass 186 visa (Direct Entry and Temporary Resident Transition (TRT)), the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa with its pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 191, and how these visas can benefit both workers and employers.

Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Overview

The Subclass 186 visa allows skilled workers to apply for permanent residency if they are sponsored by an Australian employer. The visa has three main streams: Direct Entry (DE), Temporary Resident Transition (TRT), and Labour Agreement.

1. Direct Entry Stream (DE)

The Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers who are not on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) / Skills in Demand (SDS) visa or have not worked for their sponsoring employer.

Applicants applying under this stream must:

• Have at least three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation.
• Have their skills and qualifications assessed by the relevant assessing authority.
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements (usually Competent English).
• Be under 45 years of age at the time of application (with some exceptions for certain occupations).
• Meet health and character requirements.

The Direct Entry stream is designed for applicants who have a valid job offer in an occupation on Australia’s Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Applicants under this stream apply directly for permanent residency, bypassing the need for a temporary visa.

2. Temporary Resident Transition (TRT) Stream

The TRT stream is for individuals who have been working for their Australian employer on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) / Skills in Demand (SDS) visa (Subclass 482) or Subclass 457 visa for at least two years and are nominated for a permanent position.

To qualify for the TRT stream, applicants must:

• Be under 45 years of age.
• Have worked in the nominated occupation for at least two years.
• Be nominated for a position on the MLTSSL or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
• Have appropriate qualifications and work experience for the occupation.

The TRT stream helps employers transition employees who have been working temporarily in Australia to permanent residency.

Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Subclass 494 visa allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas in Australia for up to five years. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

Employer-Sponsored Stream

This stream allows skilled workers to be nominated by an approved employer in a regional area.

Applicants must:

• Have skills and qualifications suitable for the nominated occupation.
• Be nominated by an approved employer in a regional area.
• Meet the minimum English language requirement.
• Have at least three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation.
• Be under 45 years of age.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Pathway to Permanent Residency – Subclass 191 Visa

The Subclass 494 visa leads to the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, which is designed for holders of provisional visas like Subclass 491 or 494 who have lived in a regional area for at least three years and have met the income requirements.

Eligibility for Subclass 191:

• Hold a Subclass 494 or 491 visa for at least three years.
• Provide tax assessments from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three of the five years.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Conclusion

Both the Subclass 186 (Direct Entry and TRT) and Subclass 494 visas provide pathways to permanent residency in Australia. The Subclass 186 visa is ideal for skilled workers with employer sponsorship, while the Subclass 494 visa focuses on regional employment with a pathway to PR through Subclass 191.

How Visa Finder Can Help

Understanding and applying for skilled migration visas can be complex, but Visa Finder is here to help.

• Assessing your eligibility for the Subclass 186, 494, or 191 visa.
• Guiding employers through the sponsorship process.
• Ensuring compliance with work experience, English proficiency, and salary requirements.
• Providing expert assistance in lodging visa applications.
• Helping you transition to permanent residency.

Start Your Journey to Permanent Residency Today!

Visa Finder is dedicated to assisting skilled professionals and employers in navigating the migration process successfully. Whether you’re an employer looking to sponsor skilled workers or an applicant seeking PR, we can guide you through every step.

Book a consultation today! Click here to get started, or reach out to our migration experts for personalised advice.