Employer Nomination Scheme, Subclass 121/856

Dear all,

I have been offered a three-year working contract in Australia, and I would like to get a permanent Australian visa. My employer who offered this contract suggests me (i) first, to apply for and receive a Temporary Business Long Stay visa (Subclass 457), (ii) then, to enter Australia, (iii) to start working, and finally (iv) to apply onshore for a permanent visa (Employer Nomination Scheme). I am not sure, however, that this will work: I found in Internet that one of the eligibility criteria for a permanent visa (Employer Nomination Scheme, Subclass 121/856) is that "the nominated position must be available for at least 3 years" (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled- ... ployer.htm). My contract is indeed a three-year contract; however, if I apply onshore after having started working, then the time remaining to the end of the contract will be less than 3 years, on the date of the application. Will I be eligible for a permanent visa in this case?

Thank you in advance for the information!

Alex