National Innovation Visa Subclass 858
This is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area.
Overview
Eligibility (per DOHA guidelines)
Step by Step (per DOHA guidelines)
Apply with Us
Overview
VISA STAY
Permanently
COST
From AUD 6,235.00
Current as at 05/10/2026 · source: Department of Home Affairs
WITH THIS VISA
- stay in Australia permanently
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Eligibility (per DOHA guidelines)
For applicants
The visa applicant must meet these requirements, as published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Have this visa
If you are outside Australia when you apply, you do not need to hold a specific visa to apply for this visa. However, if you are in Australia when you apply, you must hold one of the following:
- a substantive visa
- Bridging visa A – BVA – (subclass 010)
- Bridging visa B – BVB – (subclass 020)
- Bridging visa C – BVC – (subclass 030)
If you currently hold, or your last substantive visa held was one of the following, you must have held that visa for at least 3 years when you apply:
Be nominated on a Form 1000 at time of application
When you apply, you must provide a completed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000).
You must have your internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement attested by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same area as you, and is one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- an Australian permanent resident
- an eligible New Zealand citizen
- an Australian organisation.
You must answer all relevant questions on the Form 1000 in accordance with the instructions on the form. Your nominator must sign your form.
Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement
You must 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.
This means that you:
- have superior abilities and achievements to others in your area
- are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your area is practised
- have a record of sustained achievement unlikely to diminish in the near future.
You must also participate in an area that is recognised and accepted in Australia and has international standing.
Be still prominent
This means that you continue to be active in your area by having recent exceptional achievements.
Be an asset to the Australian community
Your contribution may be:
- economic
- social
- cultural
- to raise Australia's academic, artistic or sports standing internationally.
You must contribute to the nation as a whole.
Have the ability to establish yourself in Australia
You must demonstrate that:
- you would be able to find work or
- become independently established, in your area of expertise in Australia without difficulty.
Be this age
You can be any age to apply for this visa.
If you are under 18 years old, or are 55 years or older when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
The exceptional benefit to the Australian community should be:
- ongoing
- sustained and
- realised shortly after migration.
The exceptional benefit may include:
- making exceptional contributions to the Australian economy
- creating employment opportunities for a large number of Australian residents
- driving research development and innovation in sectors of national importance
- enhancing Australia's global standard in an important area.
Have functional English
Applicants aged 18 years and older at the time of application, must provide evidence of having at least functional English.
If you do not have at least functional English, you must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge.
If you would prefer to pay the second instalment instead of showing evidence of functional English, you must tell us via your ImmiAccount.
Meet our health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Family members not coming with you to Australia may also need to meet our health requirement.
Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Family members not coming with you to Australia must also meet our character requirement.
Have paid back any debt to the Australian government
You or any family members (including those who do not apply for the visa with you) cannot owe the Australian government money. You must pay any outstanding Australian government debt, or have a payment arrangement in place before we can grant you a visa.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet. You must also confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you sign an Australian Values Statement.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we decide your application. This means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
If you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, in some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa. See Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Step by Step (per DOHA guidelines)
Before you apply
Find a Nominator
Your nominator is a person or organisation who is willing and able to attest to your achievements. They must completing a Form 1000 – Nomination for National Innovation visa.
You must attach the completed Form 1000 to your visa application when you apply.
For more information, see Nominator Documents under Step 2.
Submit an Expression of Interest
To have us consider you for an invitation to apply for this visa, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
If we invite you, your invitation will contain a unique reference and identifier to use when you apply for a visa. You must apply within 60 days of the invitation.
We will not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside of the specified timeframe.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you apply. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Learn more about authorised recipients.
Gather your documents
You must include documents to support the claims you make in your application and show you meet the visa criteria.
Documents you provide in your visa application must show the achievements claimed in your EOI. These achievements granted your invitation to apply for this visa.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Identity documents
Include the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also include:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name, if relevant.
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have used or been known as.
Relationship documents
If you are or have been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, you must provide proof. This can include:
- divorce documents
- death certificates
- separation documents or
- statutory declarations.
If you have not included your partner or dependent children in this application, tell us the reason why. For example, if they already hold Australian citizenship or are a permanent resident.
Record of achievement documents
You must provide evidence that your achievements place you among the best in your area of expertise.
Examples of evidence include, but are not limited to:
- prestigious awards and prizes from internationally recognised organisations including:
- Nobel Prize
- Breakthrough Prizes
- L’oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science
- Turing Award
- ACM Prize in Computing
- top of field level sports or arts awards and honours, for example:
- Olympic Gold medal
- Pulitzer Prize
- Booker Prize
- Laureus World Sportsman
- Sportswoman of the year
- a national level research grant in Australia or an equivalent from other countries
- a research-based PhD from a top global university
- recent publications in top ranked journals
- a high h-index
- recent keynote appearance/s at a high-profile international conference
- past or current connections with Commonwealth, State or Territory based innovation hubs
- relevant international patents for cutting edge products/technological advancements
- a demonstrated track record of supporting successful innovative ventures
- leading internationally reputed companies to their Initial Public Offering
- success at major national or international sporting competitions
- a sustained record of well-recognised work, and receipt of honours, accolades and major commissioned works in the arts
- current earnings or an offer of employment with earnings at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold, in your area of achievement
- professional designations, such as Academic Level D or E professors or lead research fellows
- online business, personal or academic webpages
- supporting statements from government, professional, scientific, cultural, sporting or other peak bodies
- memberships or key appointments at industry advisory boards or committees
- international media coverage of your achievements.
The evidence you supply to support your record of achievement must also show recent prominence in your area of expertise.
If you are under 18 years old, or 55 years or older when you apply, you must provide evidence you would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. Examples of evidence could include:
- a statement regarding your professional plans upon settling in Australia
- an employment offer for a senior leadership position in Australia
- service agreements or business contracts with prominent Australian organisations
- pitch-deck or business plan to establish a highly innovative organisation that would fill an industry gap, and/or create employment opportunities for a large number of Australian residents
- grants associated with planned research in Australia
- membership or appointment to industry advisory boards or regulatory authorities in Australia
- if under 18, evidence of your capacity to support yourself in your area of expertise without parental or family financial support.
Nominator documents
You must attach a completed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000) when you apply.
You must also provide evidence that your nominator has:
- a national reputation in the same area as you
- (if your nominator is a person) Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residency in Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizen status in Australia
- (if your nominator is an Australian organisation) proof that the signatory of Form 1000 is authorised to represent the organisation.
We will not process your visa application if you do not attach a completed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000) when you apply.
View the Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000).
Ability to establish yourself in Australia
You must prove you can work or support yourself in your area of achievement.
You should give us:
- a statement detailing your knowledge of opportunities in Australia in your area of achievement
- information provided by your nominator
- letters from organisations or other relevant bodies in Australia that show future employment or possible business opportunities
- qualifications or experience you have gained during previous residence in Australia
- your employment or business background
You cannot include income from work outside your field.
Character documents
You and any family members above 16 years of age who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Evidence of character we require include:
- an Australian police certificate if you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police
- an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- military service records or discharge papers, if you served in the armed forces of any country.
Some countries require a letter from the Department to issue police certificates. The Department will provide these letters after you have made an application.
You may be required to complete and provide the following forms:
- Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment
- Form 1221 Additional personal particulars information.
If there are delays getting your character documents, upload evidence showing your attempts to get them to your ImmiAccount.
Functional English documents
Give proof you have at least functional English.
Applicants aged 18 years and older at the time of application must provide evidence of functional English. If you do not have at least functional English you must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge.
You must provide a statement showing your intention to pay the second visa application charge for each person with less than functional English.
We will tell you when to make this payment.
Partner documents
We need to see evidence of your partner's identity and relationship with you.
To show this, provide:
- identity documents and photos
- character documents
- marriage certificate, if applicable
- documents about other relationships, if applicable.
For de facto relationships, include either:
- evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you apply.
For both married and de facto applicants you must give evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you.
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, include:
- copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of any dependent children
- copies of adoption papers, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child.
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa.
Or, you can show us either:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate.
Include:
- an identity document showing the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration. Such evidence could be a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.
Note: If your child is likely to turn 18 while your application is processing, you must give evidence they are dependent on you. See the section 'Dependants over 18 documents' below for more information. A child who turns 18 while your application is processing and who is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
Dependants over 18 documents
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must have turned either:
- 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner
- 23 years of age, and unable to earn a living to support themselves because of physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner.
To show this provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents.
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is processing, you must show evidence they are dependent on you because of disability.
Proof of dependency
You must show that the child is dependent on you by providing:
- proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also include a report from a qualified medical practitioner. This must state they are dependent on you or your partner because of the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over.
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could include:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are studying
- proof of payments made by you to them or on their behalf.
Note: A child who turns 23 while your application is processing and who does not meet these requirements cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photographs must be clear.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
Photographs
Provide a digital photograph of each person you include when you apply.
Photographs should have:
- your full face only
- a white background.
Keep
Keep a copy of your completed application.
Apply for the visa
You can apply for this visa online.
Give accurate information
Give accurate information in your application. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information
Apply online
- Create an account or sign in to ImmiAccount.
- Pay the application charge. We will not process your application until you have paid the charge.
- Attach supporting documents to your application.
- Submit your application.
- Note the transaction reference number (TRN).
After you apply
We will tell you when we receive your application.
Health exams
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
If you did not complete health examinations before you apply, wait for a request from the Department before you complete health examinations.
Learn more about health requirements.
Biometrics
We will let you know if you need to give biometrics.
Attach more information
If you did not send us all documents when you applied, attach them in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to submit more information. We are not obliged to do so and may decide your application without requesting more documents.
Status updates
We do not give updates on applications. You should wait for us to contact you.
Check if we have asked for more information in your ImmiAccount.
Travel after you apply
You don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. To be granted this visa, you must either be in Australia or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we make a decision.
If you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return. To see if you can return on your visa, check VEVO.
Stay lawful
If you apply for the visa while in Australia, make sure you stay lawful. You must hold a valid visa while we process your application.
When you applied for this visa, we may have granted you a Bridging visa. If your visa expires before we decide your application, that bridging visa will come into effect. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your new visa application.
Do not ask us to cancel your current visa. If we cancel your visa, you:
- will be in Australia as an unlawful non-citizen and
- may not be eligible for a Bridging visa A.
Learn more about visa expiry.
Add family members
You can add members of the family unit to your application after you apply, but before we decide on your visa.
Visit ImmiAccount and attach a completed Form 1436 – Adding an additional applicant after lodgement.
If you are under 18 years of age, you can only include members of the family unit when you apply. Your members of the family can include:
- a parent
- a member of the family unit of that parent.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.
Visit ImmiAccount and attach a completed Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answer(s).
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence – complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice – complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information, see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Tell us if things change after you lodge your application but before we have made a decision.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application.
See what to do when your situation changes.
Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we decide your visa application. We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions, if applicable
Keep a copy of the decision.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
Apply with Us
Start your migration journey today
Send us an enquiry today to get started on your visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does This Application Require An Expression of Interest (EOI)?
The National Innovation visa (NIV) (subclass 858) is a permanent visa for exceptionally talented migrants from across the world. These migrants will help create jobs and drive productivity growth in key sectors of the Australian economy.
The NIV seeks established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent and skills who can make significant contributions that will benefit Australia’s future prosperity, across a range of sectors.
We process NIV visa applications in line with Ministerial Direction No. 120. This Ministerial Direction contains the processing order for NIV applications, and indicators of exceptional and outstanding achievement. See National Innovation visa priorities.
The Department must invite you before you can apply for this visa. To have us consider you for an invitation you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
If successful, we will email you a unique reference and identifier to use when you apply for a visa.
For more information on the NIV invitation process, including EOI requirements, see National Innovation visa.
2. What Are The Requirements For The National Innovation Visa?
In summary, you must:
- be invited to apply for this visa and lodge your visa application within 60 days of invitation. For information on Expression of Interest, see National Innovation visa.
- either be in or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance when you apply and when we grant this visa
- 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.
- have a nominator with a national reputation in your area of talent who is one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- an Australian permanent resident
- an eligible New Zealand citizen
- an Australian organisation.
The full requirements are on the Eligibility tab above, as published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Do You Have Any Further Questions?
We understand that you may have specific questions about your own unique situation, so if there is anything you need to know that is not addressed on this website, do not hesitate to contact us.
