Employer Nomination Scheme visa
This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
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At a glance
- Base application charge
- A$6,140
- Checked with the Department on 22 October 2026
- Primary applicant only. The Department publishes five further charges per row.
- 90% decided within
- 2.1 years
- Slowest of 3 streams - see below
- Age limit
- Under 45
- English
- Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent PTE/TOEFL/CAE/OET)
Processing times
How long the Department took to decide recently finalised applications. Each figure is a percentile, not an average or a promise.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Pathway | 21 months | 2.1 years |
| Transition Pathway | 22 months | 2.1 years |
| Agreement Pathway | 50 days | 13 months |
Captured from the Department of Home Affairs on 16 October 2026. The Department does not state a reporting period for this source. Check the Department's tool for the figure as it stands today.
Streams
Each stream has its own eligibility, duration and charge. Read them alongside the Department's page before lodging.
| Stream | Duration | Base fee | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Labour Agreement stream This visa lets skilled workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently. The Labour Agreement stream might be for you if you currently work, or will work, for an employer who is party to a labour agreement. | Varies | A$6,140 Primary applicant | As specified in the labour agreement |
Temporary Residence Transition stream For holders of 482 (Medium-term) or 457 visa who have worked for their nominating employer for at least 3 years. No separate skills assessment needed. | Varies | A$6,140 Primary applicant | MLTSSL Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent) |
Temporary Residence Transition stream This visa lets skilled workers nominated by their current employer live and work in Australia permanently. | Varies | A$6,140 Primary applicant | |
Direct Entry stream This visa lets skilled workers nominated by an employer live and work in Australia permanently. | Varies | A$6,140 Primary applicant | MLTSSL Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent) |
As published by the Department of Home Affairs on 22 October 2026
Data verified from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Charges and processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs and change from time to time. Each figure on this page carries its own capture date - the page has no single “as at”, because the charge and the processing times are captured separately.
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