Australia - Work Skills & Ancestry - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian employers to fill "highly skilled positions" in Australia with non-Australian applicants. The Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent residence visa designed to attract skilled workers to work in Australia.

Some of the important aims of the ENS include:

- Enhancing Australia's ability to compete globally
- Satisfying genuine shortages in the Australian labour market
- Enhancing opportunities for Australians to acquire new skills and knowledge through the transfer of skills
- Ensuring there is a net benefit to Australia

EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME (ENS) VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian employers to recruit skilled workers (earning more than AUD$165k OR have had their skills assessed OR have been working in Australia under the 457 Visa) who are under the age of 45, either from overseas or temporarily in Australia, for permanent positions when an employer has been unable to fill a vacancy from within the Australian labour market or through their own training efforts.

The ENS process is made up of two important stages:

1. Nomination by the employer

The Australian employer is required to satisfy certain requirements in order to obtain sponsorship status under this Visa type. These criteria include:

- demonstrating that they are actively and lawfully operating in Australia
- have a commitment to training existing employees

Once the employer can demonstrate that they satisfy the sponsorship criteria, the actual position to be filled (or "nomination") also needs to meet certain requirements. For example, the position must be full time for at least 3 years and be on the gazetted list of approved occupations for this category.

2. Visa application

Once the nomination has been approved, the Visa application can be lodged. The Visa application must be lodged at the same Business Centre of DIAC as the corresponding nomination, even if the nominee is outside Australia.

Another important factor to keep in mind is that the Visa application must be lodged within 6 months of the date of approval of the nomination.

You are also required to satisfy certain health and character requirements in order to meet the Visa criteria.

EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME (ENS) VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Successful Visa applicants will be granted Australian permanent residence under this Visa type.

As a permanent resident, you have the right to live, work and study in Australia for as long as you wish. When you are granted permanent residence, a Visa label is placed in your passport as proof of your permanent residency.

Other benefits of holding permanent residence include access to Medicare (government-subsidised health care), and the ability to apply for citizenship once you satisfy the residency requirements.