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SUMMARY

The ENS allows employers to sponsor skilled workers to work in any part of Australia.
You may be eligible for this visa if you have an employer willing to sponsor you, are under 45, 
and meet the English, skills and qualification requirements. 
There are 3 streams in which employers can sponsor skilled workers. 
They are Direct Entry stream, Temporary Transition stream and Agreements stream.
VISA STATUS

Permanent residency.
Permits the holder to travel to and enter Australia for 5 years from the date of grant.
GOV PROCESSING TIMES

11-16 months (DE)
​12-13 months (TTS)
It should be noted that individual actual processing times may vary depending on a range of factors.
VISA COSTS

Main Applicant
$4045
Additional Applicant (over 18)
$2025
Additional applicant (under 18)
$1010
Nomination fees
$550 (unless exempt)
Other fees may include: 
- Migration Agent Fees
- Skills Assessment Fees
- Medicals
- Police Certificates
 - English Language Testing
LOCATION


 Employers in all parts of Australia are eligible to apply for the ENS visa.

Applicants can be onshore or offshore. 

You are permitted to live and work anywhere in Australia.

VISA REQUIREMENTS


DIRECT ENTRY STREAM

The Direct Entry stream is for workers who are untested in the Australian labour market and are applying for an ENS visa from outside Australia or are applying from inside Australia but are not eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Many students, working holiday makers and those on 457’s  decide to apply through the Direct Entry stream.

EMPLOYEE

  • Under 45 years old or exempt 
  • Competent English (e.g. IELTS score of 6 and over in each band or eligible passport)
  • Meets the skills requirements for the nominated occupation. 
  • Holds a positive skills assessment for the occupation. 
  • Has been employed in the occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the level of skill required for the occupation.
  • If mandatory for the occupation hold the relevant licensing, registration or professional membership. e.g. Nurses, teachers

EMPLOYER

  • Actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia
  • Position should be full time, ongoing, available for at least two years
  • Nominates an occupation on the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List.
  • There is a genuine need for the nominator to employ the person
  • Meets any training requirements for Australian workers.
  • Not able to fill the position from the local market available to them. 
  • Caveats may apply to specific occupations. (e.g. Minimum base salary, number of employees)


TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION STREAM 


The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for applicants holding a 457 visa who have worked for their employer for at least the last 2 years and the employer wants to offer them a permanent position in that same occupation. 

EMPLOYEE

  • Under 45 years old or exempt 
  • Competent English (e.g. IELTS score of 6 and over in each band or eligible passport​
  • You may be eligible under this stream if you are the holder of a TSS visa (482) or a (457) visa or a related associated Bridging visa and you have worked for your employer for at least:
    - three out of the previous four years (before the nomination is made) in the same position that they have nominated you for or
    - two out of the previous three years before the nomination is made, if transitional arrangements apply because you either held, or were an applicant for, a subclass 457 visa (which was subsequently granted) on 18 April 2017.
  • If mandatory for the occupation, you must hold the relevant licensing, registration or professional membership
  • Skills assessment can be requested by Immigration. 


EMPLOYER 

  • Actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia
  • Position should be full time, ongoing, available for at least two years and be consistent with the position in which the applicant has already worked
  • Have met or make a commitment to meet the training benchmarks as specified for 457 sponsoring businesses. 
  • There is a genuine need for the identified person to be employed in the position, under the direct control of the nominator


Agreements Stream 

The Agreement stream is for applicants who are being sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement. The agreement should be negotiated with the relevant government body before proceeding. Semi-skilled workers may be eligible for this stream. For more details regarding the Agreements Stream please refer to the Department of Immigration website.