Guide to making an Employee Handbook


Employer Nomination Scheme

 

About this visa


The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian employers to sponsor highly skilled workers who are foreign nationals or temporary residents currently in Australia for a permanent visa to work in their business in Australia. The sponsoring company must offer full time employment for at least 3 years and must comply with all relevant Australian standards and workplace legislation for wages and working conditions.
This visa entitles the employee and his/her family to live, work and study in Australia. The employee and his/her family members are entitled to access Australia's public medical assistance scheme (Medicare) and may also be eligible to access certain social security payments from Centrelink.
Applicants already living and working in Australia
Visa applicants who are currently living and/or working in Australia on a qualifying visa can apply for the onshore ENS (subclass 856) visa. If you do not hold a qualifying visa, you may still be eligible to apply onshore if you last held a qualifying visa no more than 28 days prior to lodging an application.
Applicants living outside Australia
The offshore ENS (subclass 121) visa is for applicants who are outside Australia.
Applicants who do not hold a qualifying visa can apply for the offshore ENS (subclass 121) visa and lodge their application in Australia, however, applicants must be outside Australia at the time of visa grant.
Employer requirements
The first stage in the application process is to get the position approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. This requires the employer t show that:

- You have a need for a paid employee
- The position to be filled must correspond to an occupation listed on the Employer Nomination Scheme list
- The position must provide a full-time employment for at least 3 years
- The position must offer a salary corresponding at least to the minimum specified salary

 

Employee requirements

 

The current/prospective employee must:

- Be aged less than 45 years
- Have basic English knowledge
- Have at least 3 years of experience in the nominated occupation OR have worked in that occupation in Australia for at least 2 years, OR you are offering your employee an annual salary of at least AUD $165 000