National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) - Complete Guide
Complete guide to Australia's National Innovation Visa (858) for entrepreneurs and innovators. Requirements, process, costs, Direction 112 priority groups, and state nomination pathways.
Key Features
Overview
The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa designed to attract the world’s brightest minds and most talented entrepreneurs to Australia. It provides a direct pathway to residency for individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, the arts, sport, or academia and research. Unlike investment-heavy business visas, the NIV focuses purely on your talent and potential to contribute to Australia’s innovation ecosystem.
This is an invitation-only visa. You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply by the Department of Home Affairs. Your EOI is assessed against a priority framework (Ministerial Direction 112), and an invitation gives you 60 days to lodge a full application. Several states, including South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, run their own nomination programs that can significantly boost your EOI’s visibility by placing you in a high-priority processing group.
(Sources: Department of Home Affairs, “National Innovation visa (subclass 858)”; Immigration South Australia, “National Innovation Visa”)
Who This Visa Is For
The NIV is for high-achievers at the top of their field. You could be a great fit if you are a:
- Tech Entrepreneur: Founder or executive of a high-growth startup with proven traction, significant funding, or valuable intellectual property.
- Leading Researcher or Academic: A PhD holder with a strong publication record, high citation counts, and evidence of international influence in a priority sector.
- Creative Leader: An internationally acclaimed artist, designer, musician, or performer with major awards and a history of shaping your industry.
- Elite Athlete or Coach: An individual with a sustained record of competing or coaching at the highest international level in your sport.
- FinTech or Deep Tech Innovator: An expert driving change in areas like blockchain, AI, quantum computing, or sustainable technologies.
- Innovative Investor: A venture capitalist or business angel with a track record of identifying and scaling innovative companies, who now plans to contribute to Australia’s venture landscape.
(Sources: Investment NSW, “National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) nomination”; VIC Government Live in Melbourne, “National Innovation visa (subclass 858)”)
Eligibility
To be invited to apply for the National Innovation Visa, you must demonstrate a compelling case based on your international achievements and your potential value to Australia.
Primary Requirements
- Nomination: You must be nominated by an eligible Australian organisation or individual with a national reputation in your field. This is done using Form 1000. Alternatively, a state or territory government can nominate you, which also places you in Priority Group 2.
- Exceptional Achievement: You must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in your profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.
- Sustained Impact: Your achievement must be current and you must still be prominent in your field.
- Benefit to Australia: You must show how you will be an asset to the Australian community, either economically, socially, or culturally.
- Health and Character: You and any family members applying with you must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
- English Language: You must have at least Functional English. If you or your adult family members don’t, you may be required to pay a second Visa Application Charge (VAC) before the visa is granted.
(Source: Department of Home Affairs, “National Innovation visa (subclass 858) - Eligibility”)
Evidence Examples
Your claims of exceptional achievement must be backed by high-quality evidence, such as:
- Major international awards, prizes, or research grants.
- Patents, registered designs, or other evidence of valuable intellectual property and its commercialisation.
- Publications in leading international journals, books from reputable publishers, and high citation metrics.
- Leadership roles in globally recognised organisations or major projects.
- Significant media coverage in national or international publications.
- Strong letters of support from experts of international standing in your field.
Age Settings
Applicants are generally expected to be under 55 years of age when they apply. However, a waiver is available if you can demonstrate that you will be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. This is a very high bar, requiring evidence of truly transformative potential contributions.
(Source: Migration Regulations 1994, Sch 2, cl 858.221)
Secure Nomination
Identify and secure Form 1000 nomination from eligible organisation or state government
2-6 monthsSubmit EOI
Lodge Expression of Interest through SkillSelect with all achievements
ImmediateReceive Invitation
Wait for invitation based on Priority Group and sector alignment
1-12 monthsLodge Application
Submit complete application with Form 1000 and evidence within 60 days
60 days deadlineHealth & Character
Complete medical examinations and provide police clearances
2-4 weeksVisa Granted
Receive permanent residency decision
3-10 monthsProcess
The journey to securing a National Innovation Visa is a multi-stage process that requires careful planning and strategic positioning.
Step 1 — Nomination Strategy
Before anything else, you must identify a suitable nominator. This could be an Australian peak body, a university, a research institution, or a nationally recognised individual in your field. They must complete Form 1000 attesting to your achievements. Alternatively, you can pursue nomination from a state or territory government, which strengthens your EOI by placing it in Priority Group 2. Your choice of nominator should align with your achievements and your intended contribution to Australia’s Tier One or Tier Two sectors.
Step 2 — Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once your nomination strategy is clear, you submit an EOI through the Department’s SkillSelect system. This is a detailed summary of your profile, achievements, nominator details, and how you will benefit Australia. The EOI is not a visa application but a claim of your eligibility and a request to be invited. It remains in the pool for a set period, awaiting an invitation round.
Step 3 — Invitation & Application
If your EOI is selected based on the priority framework, you will receive an official invitation to apply for the visa. This is not a guarantee of approval. You have 60 days from the date of invitation to lodge a complete and decision-ready application through your ImmiAccount. This includes all your evidence, the completed Form 1000 from your nominator, identity documents, and biometrics if required.
(Source: Department of Home Affairs, “Invitation rounds”)
Step 4 — Assessment
A case officer from the Department of Home Affairs will assess your application against the visa criteria. They will verify your nominator’s standing, scrutinise your claims of achievement, and check that you meet all health, character, and other statutory requirements. They may issue a Request for Further Information (RFI) if any documents are missing or if they need clarification on any point.
Step 5 — Decision & Grant
If your application is successful, you and your included family members will be granted a permanent resident visa. This gives you the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the general residence requirements.
Documents Checklist
A well-prepared, decision-ready application is key. Your evidence should be comprehensive, easy to navigate, and directly support the claims made in your EOI and application forms.
Identity & Personal
- Passport bio-data pages for all applicants.
- Birth certificates showing parents’ names for all applicants.
- Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship.
- National identity cards (if applicable).
- Recent passport-sized photographs.
- Evidence of any name changes (e.g., deed poll).
Nominator & EOI
- Completed and signed Form 1000 from your nominator.
- Evidence of your nominator’s national reputation in your field (e.g., CV, bio, publications).
- A copy of your submitted Expression of Interest (EOI).
- The invitation letter from the Department of Home Affairs.
Talent & Achievement
- Awards & Honours: Certificates and letters for any national or international awards.
- Patents & IP: Registration documents, commercialisation agreements, and evidence of impact.
- Publications & Citations: A full publication list, copies of key articles, and reports from citation databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Scopus).
- Media Coverage: Articles, press releases, or broadcast clips from reputable media outlets.
- Expert References: Signed letters from internationally recognised experts in your field attesting to your achievements and standing.
- Portfolio: For creative professionals, a portfolio of work, reviews, and exhibition records.
- Memberships: Evidence of membership in associations that require exceptional achievement.
Business/Research (if applicable)
- A detailed business plan or research proposal outlining your intended activities in Australia.
- Company registration documents, evidence of funding, or shareholder agreements.
- Evidence of business or research traction (e.g., revenue, user growth, grant approvals).
Health & Character
- Completed health examinations from a panel physician.
- Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- Military service records and discharge papers (if applicable).
- Completed Form 80 (Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment).
Required Documents Checklist
Interactive checklist of required documents for your 858 application. Print or save as PDF from the checklist page.
This checklist includes all mandatory documents organized by category:
Government Application Fees
Main applicant fee
Spouse or partner
Each child under 18
Other Mandatory Costs
Functional English (IELTS 4.5 or equivalent)
If required to meet threshold
Per person, panel doctor fees
Per country lived 12+ months (ages 16+)
Required but no fee
Per document by NAATI translator
These costs are required but vary based on individual circumstances.
Optional Professional Services
Complex case representation
State nomination assistance
To improve test scores
Not available for this visa
Professional assistance can significantly improve your chances of success.
Want a personalized cost estimate for your family?
Use Cost CalculatorCosts & Timing
Planning your application involves understanding both the government fees and the likely timeframes, from nomination through to a final decision.
Visa Application Charges (AUD) — as at 1 July 2025
| Applicant Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,985 |
| Additional applicant (18+) | $2,495 |
| Additional applicant (under 18) | $1,250 |
(Source: Migration (Visa Application Charges) Regulations - current and future instruments are accessible via Federal Register of Legislation)
Second Instalment (English): If you or an adult family member included in your application cannot demonstrate at least Functional English (e.g., an IELTS average score of 4.5), you will be required to pay a second Visa Application Charge of $5,390 before the visa can be granted.
Other Typical Costs
- Health Examinations: Approximately $300–$500 per person.
- Police Checks: Varies by country, typically $50–$200 per certificate.
- Document Translations: $50–$100 per document by a NAATI-certified translator.
- English Test: If required, around $350–$400 for a test like IELTS or PTE.
- Professional Fees: Varies depending on the complexity of your case and the level of service required.
Processing Timeframes
- State Nomination: Can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on the state and their assessment process.
- EOI to Invitation: Highly variable. Depends entirely on your Priority Group and the demand within your sector. Priority Group 2 (state-nominated) applicants often see faster invitations.
- Post-Invitation Visa Processing: The Department of Home Affairs aims to process most applications within 3 to 10 months. However, complex cases or those with health/character issues may take longer. This timeframe is current as of August 2025.
(Source: Department of Home Affairs, “Global visa processing times”)
Migration Journey
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) - Complete Guide
858
Permanent VisaNext Steps
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) - Complete Guide
858
Permanent VisaNext Steps
Expert Tips
Beyond meeting the basic criteria, a successful National Innovation Visa application hinges on strategic positioning and compelling evidence. Here’s how to build a case that stands out.
Build a “no-doubt” evidence pack
- Lead with outcomes. Don’t just list your activities; quantify your impact. Instead of “founded a tech company,” use “founded a company that secured $5M in Series A funding, created 50 jobs, and acquired 100,000 users.”
- Use third-party validation. Your claims are stronger when someone else makes them. Prioritise major international awards, high-impact publications, significant media coverage, and reference letters from undisputed leaders in your field.
- Show the Australia-specific benefit. Connect your past achievements to your future plans. Clearly articulate how you will contribute to one of the Tier One or Tier Two sectors, whether through creating jobs, fostering collaborations with Australian universities, or bringing new investment.
- Structure for clarity. Your evidence pack might be hundreds of pages long. Use a clear index, logical annexes, and cross-reference your claims in the main submission to the corresponding evidence. Make it easy for the case officer to find proof.
- Plan for English. Either sit an English test early to prove you meet the “Functional” threshold or budget for the second Visa Application Charge. Don’t let this be a last-minute surprise.
Navigating nomination
- Fit your story to the sectors. Tailor your EOI and nomination application to explicitly address the language and priorities of the Tier One/Two sectors. Use the keywords.
- Engage early. If pursuing state nomination, connect with industry clusters, innovation precincts, or university departments in that state before you apply. These local connections can strengthen your case.
- Maintain consistency. The narrative you present to a state government nominator, in your EOI, and in your final visa application must be perfectly aligned. Any inconsistencies can raise red flags.
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