Visa Makers Pty Ltd

31/07/2025

Dreaming of permanent life in Australia? The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa could be your ticket Down Under!

Why ENS 186?
- Permanent Residency: Unlimited stay, work & study rights – plus Medicare access and pathway to citizenship after meeting residency criteria.
- Family Friendly: Sponsor eligible family members to join you.
- Apply Anywhere: Lodge onshore or offshore.

Key Requirements:
1. Employer Nomination: Must be sponsored by an approved Australian employer.
2. Occupation List: Role on the list of occupations (Direct Entry)
3. English Proficiency: Competent English (e.g. IELTS ≥ 6 in each band).
4. Age Limit: Under 45 at time of application (Direct Entry & TRT streams).
5. Health & Character: Meet Australia’s health checks and police clearances.

Choose Your Stream:
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): For 482-visa holders with ≥ 2 years’ work in sponsored occupation.
- Direct Entry: Skilled workers with a positive skills assessment and ≥ 3 years’ relevant experience.
- Labour Agreement: Under a negotiated agreement between employer and government.

Visa Fees (as of 1 July 2025):
- Employer Nomination Fee: A$ 540 (waived if your employer is in regional Australia and you apply under TRT or Labour Agreement streams)
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: A$ 3,000 (business turnover < A$10 M) or A$ 5,000 (≥ A$10 M)
- Visa Application Charges:
- Primary Applicant: A$ 4,910
- Adult Dependent (18+): A$ 2,455
- Child Dependent (< 18): A$ 1,230

Ready to start your Australian dream? Message Visa Makers to check your eligibility and get expert guidance today!
email: [email protected]

11/06/2024

Immigration have recently announced they will reduce the work experience required for the Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (or potentially the new Skills in Demand. Visa) from 2 years to 1 year. This is potentially going to happen in November 2024. This will be good news for students or graduate visa holders who are struggling to get to the 2 years required at present.

If you have any questions about the TSS 482 visa please contact me (Andrew McAuley) (MARN: 1278335) [email protected]

18/12/2023

Does an Australian employer want to sponsor you?

You may be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme 186 Visa!

Are you dreaming of making Australia your permanent home?
he Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa could be your ticket to turning that dream into reality!

What is the ENS 186 Visa?
* The ENS 186 visa is a employer sponsored pathway for skilled workers to secure permanent residency in Australia. It is designed for those who have been nominated by an Australian employer and have the necessary skills, English and experience.

Key Features:
Employer Nomination: Your Australian employer must nominate you for the ENS 186 visa. This reflects their commitment to keeping you on as a valuable, long-term employee.

Three Streams:
* Direct Entry Stream: For applicants who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia. (n.b approved skills assessments are required for this pathway)
* Temporary Residence Transition Stream: For those who have worked for their employer on a Temporary Skill Shortage 482 (TSS) visa for at least two years.
* Agreement Stream: For individuals sponsored through a Labor Agreement.

Age Limit: Typically 45 years of age is the cut off. However, some exemptions do apply.

Benefits of the ENS 186 Visa:
* Permanent Residency: Enjoy the rights and benefits of being a permanent resident in Australia.
* Travel Freedom: Travel in and out of Australia without restrictions.
* Access to Healthcare and Education: Australia’s world-class healthcare and education systems is open to you.
* Pathway to Citizenship: You may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the requirements.

How Can We Assist You?

We can prepare and manage a ENS 186 application for you and your nominating employer.

For more information on the ENS 186 visa please email
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335) ([email protected]) or call 0416 468 333.

08/12/2023

Does your employer want to sponsor you?

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa is a crucial pathway for skilled workers seeking employment opportunities in Australia. This visa program, administered by the Department of Home Affairs, is designed to address temporary skill shortages in the Australian labor market.

Key Features of the TSS 482 Visa:
1. Three Streams:
* Short-Term Stream (STS): For occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), allowing a stay of up to two years (or up to four years under specific circumstances).
* Medium-Term Stream (MTS): For occupations on the Medium and * Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), granting a visa for up to four years. (includes ROL)
Labour Agreement Stream: For workers sponsored under a labor agreement between the employer and the Australian government.

2. Sponsorship:
* Applicants must be sponsored by an approved employer.
* Employers must meet specific criteria and obligations to become an approved sponsor.

3. Occupation Lists:
* Eligibility depends on the applicant's occupation, which must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for the chosen stream.

4. English Language Proficiency:
* Applicants may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through recognized tests, unless exempt.

5. Qualifications and Work Experience:
* Meeting specific education and work experience requirements is crucial, varying based on the nominated occupation.

6. Health and Character Requirements:
* Applicants must meet health and character standards to be eligible for the TSS 482 visa.

Application Process:

1. Sponsorship Approval:
* Employers must be approved sponsors before nominating a position and sponsoring an applicant.

2. Nomination:
* Employers nominate the occupation and the skilled worker for the visa.

3. Visa Application:
* The skilled worker applies for the TSS 482 visa.

Important Considerations:
Changes in Occupation Lists: The occupation lists (STSOL, ROL and MLTSSL) are subject to periodic updates, impacting eligibility.

* Visa Duration and Renewal: The visa duration depends on the stream and circumstances. Renewal may be possible if eligible.
* Work Conditions: Visa holders must work in the nominated occupation and for the sponsoring employer unless changes are approved.

Note: Breaking news - 25.11.2023

* The limit on the number of Subclass 482 visa applications in the Short term stream that can be made in Australia has been removed.
* Access to the TRT streams of the Subclass 186 or 187 visas is now possible for almost all holders of SC 482 and SC 457 visas, regardless of the stream in which their visa is held.
* The length of the eligibility period that is required for approval of a nomination in the TRT stream eligibility period, from 3 years in 4 years, to 2 years in 3 years.
* Removing the requirement for the occupation identified in the permanent nomination to be on the MLTSSL or the ROL, ensuring that applicants under the TRT stream are not disadvantaged if their occupation is removed from the relevant occupation list.

For more information on the TSS 482 please contact Andrew from Visa Makers on 0416 468 333 or [email protected]

16/11/2023

Great news is likely to be on the way, on the 25th November 2023 Immigration are making some positive changes to the employer sponsored visas.

The main change will be allowing a pathway to permanent residency for all holders of the Temporary Skills Shortage visa 482. Currently only those on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) can move to permanent residency. However, Immigration has announced that after the 25th all 482 holders will have a pathway to permanent through the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) (transitional) visa.

The period in which TSS visa holders are required to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer (or in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives) will be reduced to 2 out of the 3 years before nomination.. That is those on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), Regional occupation List and even those on a Labour Agreement if eligible can transition to the permanent visa.

Another big change is the time before applying for PR while holding the 482 visa has been reduced. The nominated person will now need to have held their TSS (or subclass 457) visa(s) for only 2 out of the 3 years before nomination. Currently they need need to have held their TSS (or subclass 457) visa(s) for 3 out of the 4 years before nomination.

In addition, the period in which TSS visa holders are required to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer (or in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives) will be reduced to 2 out of the 3 years before nomination.

So some very positive changes are on the way for those who are currently sponsored in Australia.

For more information on the changes please email
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335) ([email protected]) or call 0416 468 333.

26/10/2023

The data items include:

identification details (address history for visa applicants and sponsors) contact history for visa applicants and sponsors, address history for migration agents, contact history for migration agents, active visas meeting the criteria, all visa grants, visa grant status by point in time, migration agents (visa application preparer who assisted or facilitated the processing of the visa), all international travel movements undertaken by visa holders (arrivals and departures), sponsor details, (457 visa), visa subclass name.

It is estimated that records relating to approximately 9 million individuals will be obtained each financial year.

If you have a visa related question please email Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335) - [email protected]

13/09/2023

30/08/2023

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟒𝟗𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟗𝟎 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝟕𝟎%

The federal government has slashed the number of places available for the Skilled nominated 190 and the Skilled Work Regional Visa 491.

𝟏𝟗𝟎 - 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬/𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
The 190 visa overall has been allocated just 10,300 places for the 2023/24 programme year, compared to 38,133 for the 2022/23 year. This is a reduction of 73%.

𝟒𝟗𝟏 (𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞) - 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬/𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
The 491 visa overall has been allocated just 6,400 places for the 2023/24 programme year, compared to 24,283 for the 2022/23 year. This is a reduction of 73% again.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬:

𝟏𝟗𝟎 - 𝐖𝐀 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲
The 190 visa for WA has been allocated just 1500 places for the 2023/24 programme year, compared to 5350 for the 2022/23 year. This is a reduction of 72%.

𝟒𝟗𝟏 (𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞) - 𝐖𝐀 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲
The 491 visa for WA has been allocated just 850 places for the 2023/24 programme year, compared to 2790 for the 2022/23 year. This is a reduction of 70%.

For more information on skilled visas please contact Andrew McAuley (MARN 1278335) at [email protected]

22/08/2023

Who can become an Standard Business Sponsor?

* Any Australian entity including
* Sole traders
* Private Companies
* Public Companies
* State/territory/federal Government Entities and Statutory Authorities
* Partnerships
* Trusts (via the Trustee)
* Co-operativesAssociations (incorporated or unincorporated
* Associations (incorporated or unincorporated)

For more information on sponsorship please email Andrew at [email protected]

26/06/2023

Visa Application Fees Increasing on the 1st July 2023

22/06/2023

Subclass 417 for UK citizens