The Employer Nomination Scheme is a program that includes the famous Subclass 457 Sponsorship Work Visa but also includes permanent visas for skilled professionals who are being nominated by an employer for a full-time work position in Australia.
The 2 permanent visas in this program are:
• The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Permanent Visa (also known as ENS);
• The Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (also known as RSMS)
Both visas require the applicant to have a job offer from an Australian employer.
The Subclass 186 visa allows for employers located anywhere in Australia to nominate workers to apply and be granted this visa, while the Subclass 187 allows only for employers to nominate applicants in positions located in Regional Australia.
Regional Australia has different meaning for different visas but for this one, a rule of thumb is that the whole country is considered “regional” area with the exception of:
- Sydney
- Wollongong
- Newcastle
- Brisbane
- The Gold Coast
- Melbourne
If you have a position in an area other than the areas above, please contact us so we can check the exact post code to let you know if the area would be considered “regional”.
But why would you offer the RSMS 187 visa to an employee instead of the 457 Sponsorship Work visa?
There are many reasons, but the main ones are below:
- The RSMS 187 visa has more flexible requirements for your business and for your potential employee, so it is an attractive option;
- There are no Training Australian requirements, which is a fundamental requirement for the 457 work visa, and in many times a deal breaker;
- There are no Sponsorship Obligations as it is not a Sponsorship Visa;
- It is a permanent visa so you don’t have to worry about extending it or having to later on nominate your employee for permanent residence (which is a request that most employees make after 2 years working for you). This means you only have to deal with paperwork and the department of immigration once;
- It is a permanent visa so your employee will have access to government benefits (which they are not entitled to if they hold a 457 visa);
- Even though it is a permanent visa, your employee will get a visa with a condition that forces him to work for your business for the next 2 years, which doesn’t mean you are obliged to maintain employment for them. The business can terminate employment as long as it is within the applicable employment relations legislation;
- There is no Minimum Salary package required, as opposed to the dreaded minimum salary levels when applying for the 457 visa – at a minimum of $53,900.00 plus superannuation at the moment. Employers are still required to show evidence that the salary package offered meets Market Salary Rates though.
Make sure you and your employee qualify
Check if you qualify with an agent experienced in this type of application.
At Bravo Migration we have worked on hundreds of applications for ENS & RSMS Visas, and our approval rate is very high.
Don’t spend hours researching legislation & requirements: we give you clear answers and instructions. Work with us to find out what the requirements really are, avoid mistakes and get a fast approval.
Click here and one of our Registered Migration Agents will call you to chat about your case.