Employer Nominated and Sponsored Visas
- Subclass 186 Employer Nominated Permanent Residence Visa
- Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Permanent Visa
- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is for skilled workers who want to work in Australia. This visa involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer and then an application under the nominated stream. It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa programme.
This visa is a permanent residence visa. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C.
The visa has three streams:
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer (who is not subject to a labour agreement and who has lodged a valid nomination with us under the Temporary Residence Transition stream), who wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
The Direct Entry stream is for:
- People who have been nominated by their employer under the Direct Entry stream
- People who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia, or
- Temporary residents who do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
The Agreement stream is for subclass 457 visa holders sponsored by an employer through a labour agreement.
You might be able to get this visa if you:
- Have been nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Are younger than 50 years of age, unless you are exempt
- Meet the skills, qualifications and English language requirements, unless you are exempt
- Apply under the stream for which you were nominated.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) (RSMS)
A permanent resident visa, the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) is for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. This visa involves a two-step process:
1. A nomination by an approved Australian employer.
2. An application under the nominated stream.
It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C. You can submit an expression of interest in case you do not have an employer nomination. This can be done through SkillSelect. Your submission of EOI can then be reviewed by prospective employers and state and territory governments to decide whether to nominate you for skilled migration.
This Visa Sub Class has three main streams and you have to select one of these three to apply for your RSMS visa.
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer who wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
The Agreement stream is for people who are nominated by an employer through labour agreement.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Employer Sponsored stream
This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their
region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled
Australian worker.
1 You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia
2 You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted
You must
- be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
- have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies
- work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies
- be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies
- meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa
This temporary visa lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker to fill a position they
can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill.
Short-term stream
This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers
where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Medium-term stream
This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers
where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.