Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Permanent residency through your employer — no points test required.
Overview
One of the most direct routes to Australian permanent residency — your employer sponsors you straight into PR without a points table. Many applicants reach it after time spent on a Skills in Demand (482) visa, transitioning through the TRT stream.
Who it's for
- Skilled workers with a genuine, ongoing job offer from an Australian employer
- First-time PR applicants via Direct Entry, or existing 482 holders transitioning via TRT
Key requirements
- Nomination by an approved Australian employer for a genuine, full-time position
- Salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD $79,423) or the relevant Annual Market Salary Rate, whichever is higher
- A skills assessment for your occupation (Direct Entry stream)
- Competent English, or an applicable exemption
- Generally under 45, with exemptions in limited circumstances
- For Temporary Residence Transition: full-time work with your sponsoring employer for a set period
- Health and character checks
Fees increased on 1 July 2026 — the visa application charge rose to $6,140 for the primary applicant, and the Core Skills Income Threshold rose to $79,423. The fee that applies is whichever is in force on the date you lodge and pay, so timing can matter if you're close to a 1 July boundary.
There are costs on the employer's side too: a nomination fee of $540, plus a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy of $3,000–$5,000 depending on business size. Family member visa fees add further cost on top of the primary applicant's charge — ask your adviser for a current, itemised estimate for your specific family size, since these figures are updated alongside the main fee.
Not sure if this is the right visa for you?
Tell us your situation and we'll confirm whether the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) fits, or point you to the one that does.
Book a free visa assessmentVisa subclasses, eligibility criteria, streams, salary thresholds and fees are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, often each 1 July. The figures above reflect published guidance as of August 2026 — your Rigpa House adviser will confirm current figures and eligibility, including exact family member costs, before you apply.