Employer Nominated Permanent Visa

Employer Nomination Scheme

The ENS scheme enables Australian employers to sponsor eligible non-citizen or non-permanent resident employees for permanent residency. Holders receive unlimited entry and departure rights for five years; those returning afterward must obtain a Resident Return Visa if citizenship hasn’t been obtained.

This is a two-stage process that involves common criteria including health, character, and public interest requirements:

• The company nominates the position and candidate
• The prospective employee applies for the visa

Three streams exist, with two most common: the Temporary Resident Transition Stream and the Direct Entry stream.

Temporary Resident Transition Stream

• Age under 45
• Prescribed English language ability required (exemptions may apply)
• Current approved nomination
• Must hold an SC457/SC482 visa nominated by the same employer in the same occupation
• Minimum 3 years employment on that visa during the preceding 4 years
• Minimum two years employment from the visa grant date
• Employment terms equal to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents
• No adverse immigration information

Direct Entry Nomination

• Age under 45
• Prescribed English language ability required (exemptions may apply)
• Current approved nomination
• Skills assessment and three years occupation experience required
• Employment terms equal to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents
• No adverse immigration information

Company Nomination Requirements

• Must identify a genuine need for a paid employee
• Active, lawful Australian business operation
• Two-year employment contract required
• SAF Levy payment based on company turnover
• Equal terms and conditions to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents
• Workplace relations law compliance; no adverse immigration information
• Must nominate an occupation on the current skilled occupation list