National Innovation Visa | Move to South Australia

This is a permanent visa for internationally recognised talent that allows you to live and work in South Australia.

The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) (NIV) is a permanent visa for individuals who have an internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement in their field.

South Australian state nomination for the NIV is aimed at attracting high-calibre, high-performing individuals who can drive innovation, productivity and growth in the state.

The National Innovation Visa (NIV) is an invitation-only permanent visa for established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent and skills who can make significant contributions that will benefit Australia’s future prosperity.

To apply for the NIV from the Department of Home Affairs, you must:

Be offshore; or be onshore and the holder of a substantive visa in Australia.
Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas:
- a profession
- a sport
- the arts
- academia and research.
You can be any age. If you are under 18 years old or 55 years or older, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
Meet all other DHA eligibility criteria, including having a nominator.

To be considered for South Australian state nomination for the NIV, you need to have high-calibre talent and internationally recognised achievements which can contribute to the South Australian economy.

This includes:

Global researchers and thought leaders
Entrepreneurs
Innovative investors
Creative Talent
Other globally talented individuals.

To be considered for state nomination for this visa, you must meet South Australia’s state nomination guidelines, as well as the Department of Home Affairs eligibility criteria.

To be considered for South Australian state nomination for the NIV, you will need to meet the guidelines under one of the nomination categories.

There are a range of nomination categories for individuals with internationally recognised talent seeking to live and work in South Australia. Read through each of the categories to see if you are eligible to be considered for state nomination.

Nomination categories

Your achievements may include having:

Received a national research grant in Australia or overseas.
Undertaken recent keynote appearances at high-profile international conferences.
Recognised intellectual property attributed to you, such as holding relevant international patents.
Current earnings or a job offer in South Australia at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD).
A PhD with high levels of academic influence or thought leaderships such as:
- recent publications in top ranked journals in your academic field.
- a high h-index[1] for your stage of career.
- a research-based degree from a top global university, for example, a university ranked in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

[1] The h-index is a scholarly metric that captures research output based on the total number of publications and the total number of citations to those works.

You can demonstrate evidence that your entrepreneurial activities will lead to the:

Commercialisation of a product or service in South Australia; OR
Development of a business or enterprise that will significantly add value to the South Australian economy.

You must also be able to demonstrate:

In-depth knowledge, expertise or a track record in the target product or service and how this could be applied in the South Australian context.
Commitment to launching an innovative business in South Australia, which has the potential to become a sustainable high-growth start-up & create jobs for South Australians.
That the majority of the proposed project development, business assets and staff are or will be in South Australia.

There is no minimum investment threshold required to be considered for state nomination via the Entrepreneurs category.

You can demonstrate an established track record of:

Supporting successful innovative ventures; OR
Leading internationally reputed companies to their Initial Public Offering.

This may include investors who are investing into innovative ecosystems and providing South Australian businesses with capital to bring new products to market and drive productivity growth.

Investing into managed funds will only be considered on an exceptional basis and you must be able to demonstrate:

The significant economic benefits your investments have delivered in South Australia to date; and
Your future investment strategy in South Australia.

There is no minimum investment threshold required to be considered for state nomination via the Innovative Investors category.

The following types of investment activities are not considered as ‘innovative’ for the purposes of state nomination for the NIV:

Cafes and restaurants
Consulting firms/companies
Employment/labour hire agencies
Franchises
Purchase of existing enterprise
Real Estate/rental management
Retail.

You will need to demonstrate significant achievements in your creative field, including international level awards or achievements.

Other globally talented individuals who do not fit into the other categories can be considered for state nominations on a case-by-case basis.

You will need to demonstrate significant achievements in your field, including international level awards or achievements.

Supporting information

If you are submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) application for the National Innovation visa (NIV), please refer to this checklist to find out what supporting documents are required for your application.

Please read the application terms and conditions before submitting a NIV ROI application.
Documents in this checklist must be provided with your ROI application submission. Any documentation provided after submission (unless requested by Skilled & Business Migration) will not be accepted.
Only upload one copy of each document in an acceptable document format and size.
Your uploaded documents must be scanned copies of the original documents and the Government of South Australia reserves the right to request hard copies of original documents at any time.
All documents must be in English or translated into English by a qualified translator.
You should only upload documents required for your application. Non-essential documents may delay processing.

NIV ROI Application

If you are submitting a NIV ROI application, under one of the available nomination categories, you will need to provide the following supporting documents.

NIV ROI Document checklist

A copy of the biographical details page of your current valid passport. This page must include your photograph, name, date of birth and passport number. This document is also required for your partner if you are including them in your application.
A copy of your visa approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs (if you are in Australia).
A copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum 4 pages).

A graduation certificate and/or academic transcript for:
- any qualification relevant to your NIV ROI application.
In addition to the above, for any qualification(s) completed in Australia, you will need to provide:
- a copy of your academic transcript or a letter from your Education Provider confirming course completion, duration of the course and campus.

An employment reference letter for:

Any current employment and/or a South Australian job offer relevant to your NIV ROI application.
Your current employment reference letter (if applicable) that details:
- job title
- duties and tasks
- salary, number of hours worked per week
- employment duration and location
- letter(s) must be on approved company letterhead and dated and signed by the relevant manager or the human resources section
- the letter(s) must detail the name, position, email address and contact number of the relevant manager or the human resources section.
A letter confirming an offer of employment in South Australia (if applicable) that details:
- job title
- duties and tasks
- salary offered, number of hours to be worked per week
- employment commencement date, duration and location
- letter(s) must be on approved company letterhead and dated and signed by the relevant manager or the human resources section
- the letter(s) must detail the name, position, email address and contact number of the relevant manager or the human resources section.

Form 956 - Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.

A support letter (if available) from the South Australian State Government Agency referring you to submit a NIV ROI application.

You will need to provide:

One of the following in your name:
- Current lease agreement(s)
- Utility bill for the past six months (for example, gas, electricity, water, or rates bill)
- Current Vehicle Registration.
Note: Statutory declaration statements in place of lease agreements will not be accepted. Mobile phone provider statements or a copy of driver’s licence are not accepted as proof of residency.

Please do not upload any other documents apart from the documents listed on this page unless specifically asked by Skilled and Business Migration.

If you meet the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria and South Australia’s nomination guidelines, you will need to prepare and supply a range of documentation to complete your Registration of Interest application.

Please review the information below prior to starting your application via the Skilled & Business Migration portal

Before you apply, you must have ready all information and documentation to support your Registration of Interest (ROI) application and prove the claims you make. Please refer to the document checklist to help you prepare all documentation prior to commencing your online ROI application via the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

Once you have ensured you meet all nomination and visa requirements, and prepared all documentation needed for your Registration of Interest application:

Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) application through the Skilled & Business Migration portal.
If your ROI application progresses to the next stage, you will be contacted by Skilled and Business Migration. As part of the assessment process, you will be interviewed by an assessment panel of South Australian Government representatives.
Track your application online. Once a decision on an application has been made it will be reflected on the Skilled & Business Migration application page.
If you are approved for state nomination, Skilled and Business Migration will send you a completed Form 1000 and a business case letter to provide in your Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department of Home Affairs.
Lodge your EOI with the Department of Home Affairs.
If you are successful, the Department of Home Affairs will invite you to apply for the National Innovation Visa.

NOTE: Please submit an online enquiry if you wish to withdraw your Skilled and Business Migration ROI application.

Start an application

Resources and support

Skilled & Business Migration have collated a list of organisations that may be able to assist you on your arrival in South Australia, however we encourage you to continue your own research and find the best services to suit your needs.

Support Services

Keep your contact details up to date in your Skilled and Business Migration account

If you are having difficulty navigating the state nomination and visa application process, you can engage the services of a migration agent or lawyer who can help you with your applications and assist you to understand the requirements at each stage. Find out more about accessing Immigration Assistance.

If you need further information, please submit an online enquiry through the Skilled & Business Migration Portal.

Visa Options

Nomination Process

Occupation Lists

Support & Resources

Why South Australia

National Innovation Visa - Subclass 858

Who can apply for this visa?

1. Global researchers and thought leaders

2. Entrepreneurs

3. Innovative investors

4. Creative talent

5. Other globally talented individuals

NIV ROI Application

NIV ROI Document checklist

Personal details

Qualifications

Employment history

Migration agent or lawyer (if applicable)

SA State Government Referring Agency (if applicable)

Residing in Australia

Before you apply

How to apply

Resources and support

Support services

Who can help you with your application?