Are you a skilled worker looking for options to turn Melbourne into your permanent home? The 186 direct entry visa Melbourne can be the ticket to your dream. This visa falls under the ENS, which allows employers to directly nominate skilled individuals to fill a position that has been vacant for a long time.
Here are all the details you need to know about the ENS visa:
What is ENS?
The ENS or Employer Nomination Scheme is designed to allow skilled workers to work and live in Australia indefinitely, given that an employer directly nominates you. Wondering how this works?
Consider a situation in which the Australian government wants to fill jobs that can’t be done by local workers. So, if an Australian business can prove they need your skills, they can sponsor you for this visa. The business will also need to provide proof that they tried to fill the position by hiring local workers, but couldn’t find the required skills.
The ENS 186 Melbourne leads directly to permanent residency (PR) without having to jump through multiple visa hoops; this makes it a popular choice for many Melbourne workers.
Streams Under The 186 Direct Entry Visa Melbourne
The ENS 186 has three streams. In other words, there are three different ways to apply for this visa: Direct Entry (DE) Stream, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream, and Labour Agreement Stream.
Direct Entry (DE) Stream
This pathway is the 186 direct entry visa for Melbourne. Of the three streams, this is the most sought-after one. This is because:
- This visa allows you to go for PR straight away.
- Skilled workers who meet the qualifications and experience required to fill the position can apply irrespective of whether they’re inside or outside Australia.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
This stream is the next step for individuals already working in Melbourne on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa. Once you’ve worked for your sponsoring employer for at least two years, you can apply to transition from TRT to permanent residency.
As of 2025, the rules have become more flexible. Whether you’re on a short-term or medium-term TSS visa, you can qualify for PR after two years of employment.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream only applies if your employer has a special agreement with the Australian Government. The rules under this stream may also vary depending on the specific labour agreement in place.
Who Is Eligible for the ENS 186 Visa in Melbourne?
Both the employer and the employee need to meet the eligibility criteria for this visa.
The employer must:
- Have an active and legitimate operating business in Australia.
- Genuinely need the nominated position to be filled.
- Agree to offer a full-time, ongoing job to the employee for at least 2 years, paying the salary equating the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
The employee must:
- Not be over 45 years old.
- Have the competence required for the job.
- Have overall IELTS score of 6 bands.
- Get a positive skills assessment if applying through the 186 direct entry stream.
- Hold considerable experience.
- Qualify health and character checks.
Benefits of the ENS 186 Visa Melbourne
The benefits of the ENS 186 visa include getting permanent residency from the start. This means you can:
- Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely.
- Access Australia’s public healthcare system — Medicare.
- Sponsor eligible family members for PR.
- Submit an application for Australian citizenship if you are fulfilling the residency conditions.
Processing Times and Costs
The processing time for a 186 Direct Entry (DE) visa to Melbourne is usually around 6 to 10 months. On the other hand, around 4 to 8 months are required to process under a Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream. The main applicant incurs around AUD 4,640 as the application fee. If you are applying for dependants/ family members too, additional fees will apply. This cost does not include potential costs for health checks, police clearances, and skills assessments.
Final Words
The ENS 186 visa offers a direct path from a job offer to permanent residency for skilled workers in Melbourne, or rather, anywhere in Australia. But before you take up the process, make sure you build clarity around the basics and are in line with the recent updates. Only then can you make the best decisions for your future in Australia. This way, you can make the best decisions for your future in Australia.
