Commonwealth of Australia
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) processing time
ENS permanent residence typically 6–14 months; Direct Entry vs Temporary Residence Transition streams vary.
Typical window
6 months – 1.2 years
Government fees
From AUD 4,770 principal.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) sits in the work sponsored category. Typical duration: Permanent residence.. Indicative government fees: From AUD 4,770 principal..
- Requires a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: 482 holders transitioning to PR, Directly nominated skilled workers at eligible employers.
Primary source
Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) take to process?
ENS permanent residence typically 6–14 months; Direct Entry vs Temporary Residence Transition streams vary. These figures come from Home Affairs — Global visa processing times and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.