People who want to live and work in Australia permanently should ensure they have an employer nomination scheme document checklist. The employer nomination scheme (Subclass 186) visa (ENS visa) is a popular pathway for immigration to Australia. One of the essential criteria for this visa is that you must have held either a:
- Visa Subclass 457 (now the 482 visa); or
- Related bridging visa A, B, or C.
The ENS visa allows employers to nominate overseas workers for permanent residency. Additionally, the applicant for this visa must meet certain criteria in terms of their skills, experience, and English language proficiency. The ENS visa has three streams which include:
For Direct Entry Stream and Temporary Residence Transition Stream, you need to have an experience of at least three years in the relevant field. Do you want to know what to prepare in an employer nomination scheme document checklist? Read this article to find out.
The Importance of the Employer Nomination Scheme Document Checklist
The ENS document checklist is an important part of the ENS application process. By using the checklist, you can ensure that all required documents are submitted and the application is complete. This document ensures that all of the required documents are submitted and that the application is complete. The checklist also helps to ensure that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) can efficiently process the application.
Any missing documents may result in delays or even rejections of a person’s ENS visa application. Hence, it is important to carefully review the checklist. An ENS visa applicant must also make sure that they have all of the required documents before they submit their application. While applying, you should check all the documents included in the 186 Visa Checklist. These documents should be from your employer.
- Registration documents
- Employment contract
- Financial documents and bank statements
- Nominated position documents
- Documents for specific documents
- Organisational and Human Resource documents
- Administration documents
- Annual market salary rate evidence
What’s in the Checklist?
Identity Documents
You should include identity documents in your employer nomination scheme document checklist such as:
- Pages of your current passport showing your photo, original birth certificate, personal details, passport issue and expiry dates.
- A national identity card.
- Proof of the change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate, or change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This is needed if you have changed your name.
Licencing, Registration or Membership
- If required, provide evidence of any licence, registration or professional membership. This is mandatory to perform the nominated occupation in the state or territory you intend to work in.
- Proof of your registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency if you are a doctor.
- If you are a barrister or solicitor, you would need to provide proof of your admission to practise law in the relevant state or territory.

Skills and Qualifications Documents
In this part of the employer nomination scheme document checklist, you need to provide either:
- Positive skills assessment
- CV or resume; and
- Qualifications and proof of work experience
To be exempt from having a skills assessment, you must provide proof that you:
- Have been nominated as an academic by a university in Australia. This includes university lecturers and faculty heads at Academic Levels A, B, C, D, or E.
- Have been nominated as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist by an Australian government scientific agency.
- Currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa. You must have also worked for the employer who nominated you in the nominated position for at least two years in the last three years before the date you applied for the visa.
Read: Special Category Visas Migration Act
Age Exemption Documents
The employer nomination scheme document checklist also includes age exemption documents. For people aged 45 years old or older, you may be exempt from the age eligibility criteria. To prove this, you would need to provide documents that show you are exempt. This could include proof that you are a/ an:
- Nominated academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level B, C D or E) by a university in Australia
- Scientist; or
- Technical specialist who has been nominated by a university or government agency.
English Language Documents
An employer nomination scheme document checklist should also include documents that show you have competent English. You will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency, such as your IELTS or TOEFL test results. To prove that you have competent English, you can either:
1. Be a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the:
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand; or
- Republic of Ireland.
2. Have obtained one of the following English language test results:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training): At least 6 for each of the 4 components.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test: At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing, and 18 for speaking. Take note that TOEFL iBT – only accepted if taken on or before 25 July 2023)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): At least 50 for each of the 4 components.
- Occupational English Test (OET): At least B for each of the 4 components.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced test: At least 169 in each of the 4 component
Read: English Requirement for 187 Visa
Health and Character Documents
Here are the health and character documents you should prepare in your employer nomination scheme document checklist:
- Your doctor will be the one to provide the medical exams to the DHA
- Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. While applying, you will have the option to include your family members, such as your partner and the dependent child. Family members over the age of 16 must provide police checks
- You also need to provide an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
- If required, you can request a penal check letter from the Department of Home Affairs.
- If you have served in the armed forces of any country, you need to provide military service records or discharge papers.

Our Immigration Lawyers’ Expertise
The Employer Nomination Scheme is a popular visa program for skilled workers who want to live and work in Australia permanently. However, the application process can be complex. Hence, it is essential to ensure that you have all the necessary documents before you apply.
We at JB Solicitors are knowledgeable in immigration law matters. Our team of immigration lawyers can help you prepare your employment nomination scheme document checklist properly. We can help you file your documents in time so you can start your new life and career in Australia.
Contact us today for more information about immigration law matters.