- The National Innovation Visa (NIV, subclass 858) is a permanent, invitation-only visa that replaced the Global Talent program in December 2024. It targets exceptionally talented people, including founders, in priority sectors.
- The process runs: submit an expression of interest (EOI), secure a nominator’s endorsement, receive an invitation, then lodge the visa within 60 days. Founders also need to set up their Australian company, which is where Sleek comes in.
- Sleek handles the company-setup side (incorporation, resident director, structure), not the migration itself. The visa application should go through a registered migration agent.
The National Innovation Visa (NIV), subclass 858, is Australia’s permanent, invitation-only visa for exceptionally talented people who can contribute to priority sectors of the economy, and it suits founders building innovative businesses. The path is: submit an expression of interest, obtain an endorsement from an eligible nominator, receive an invitation, and lodge the visa. Alongside the migration steps, a founder relocating to Australia needs an Australian company set up correctly, and that is the part Sleek handles.
Important up front: Sleek does the company-setup side, not the visa application itself, for which you should engage a registered migration agent. All visa criteria here should be confirmed with the Department of Home Affairs.
What is the National Innovation Visa, and who is it for?
The National Innovation Visa is a permanent residency visa (subclass 858) for established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent who can make significant contributions to Australia’s future prosperity. It is aimed at people with internationally recognised records of achievement across fields including entrepreneurship, research, technology and the professions. For a founder, that means a track record of building or leading innovative ventures, ideally in one of the government’s priority sectors.
Two features define it. First, it is invitation-only: you cannot simply apply, you must be invited after submitting an expression of interest. Second, it grants permanent residency directly, with no provisional stage, giving you, your partner and dependent children the right to live, work and study in Australia, access to Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship. It is deliberately selective, designed for genuine standouts rather than general skilled migrants.
How the NIV differs from the old Global Talent and business visas
The NIV replaced the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program on 6 December 2024. The subclass 858 structure was retained, but the assessment shifted toward strategic national impact rather than individual income alone, and the Department introduced a four-tier priority system that ranks applicants by the value of their contribution and its alignment with national priorities.
It is also distinct from Australia’s general business and investment visas. Where those pathways focus on investment thresholds or business ownership, the NIV is about exceptional, internationally recognised talent and contribution. If you are exploring the broader landscape of Australian business visas, that is a separate question covered in our general business visa guide; this playbook is specifically about the NIV and the founder’s journey through it.
National Innovation Visa | General business visas | |
|---|---|---|
Basis | Exceptional talent and contribution | Investment or business ownership |
Entry | Invitation-only after EOI | Varies by subclass |
Residency | Permanent immediately | Often provisional first |
Best for | Standout founders, researchers, innovators | Investors, business operators |
Step 1: Securing endorsement
Every NIV applicant needs a nominator who endorses their achievements. The nominator must be a prominent Australian, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation, with a national reputation in your field, and they complete the relevant nomination form to vouch for your credentials. The nominator is an endorser, not a sponsor, so they do not take on financial or legal obligations for you.
For a founder, the nominator might be a respected figure in your industry, an Australian investor, an accelerator, or an institution active in your sector. Securing a credible nominator is one of the hardest and most important parts of the process, because the endorsement underpins the Department’s confidence in your national standing. This is where a registered migration agent’s networks and experience are genuinely valuable.
Step 2: The expression of interest and invitation
The process begins with an expression of interest (EOI) submitted to the Department of Home Affairs, in which you document your achievements, awards, patents, publications and business successes, and identify your target sector. Unlike a points-tested visa, the NIV does not score you on age and English alone; it assesses the strength and strategic relevance of your record.
If your profile meets the Department’s criteria and current priorities, you receive an invitation to apply, and you then lodge the subclass 858 application, typically within 60 days, with full supporting evidence including your nomination, achievements, and health and character checks. The Department prioritises invitations dynamically against its four tiers, so applicants whose work aligns with the highest-priority sectors tend to be invited fastest. Because timelines and criteria shift, confirm the current process with Home Affairs or your migration agent.
Step 3: Setting up your Australian company
This is the part that runs in parallel with the visa, and where founders most often need local help. To operate your venture in Australia you will generally set up an Australian company, a Pty Ltd, with the structure, registrations and local presence that brings. That means registering with ASIC, obtaining an ABN, TFN and GST registration, and meeting the requirement that every Australian company have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia.
The resident-director point matters for founders: until you have permanent residency and are living in Australia, you may not meet the resident-director requirement yourself. A resident director service provides a compliant local director so you can incorporate and operate while your visa is in train, then step in once you are settled.
Sleek can set up your Australian company, provide a resident director, and handle the ongoing accounting.
Target sectors and eligibility
The NIV prioritises sectors of national importance, with the highest-priority (Tier One) areas being critical technologies, health industries, and renewables and low-emission technologies. Achievements that strengthen Australia’s strategic capability in these fields attract the strongest consideration, while other innovative sectors remain eligible but more competitive. General business or management experience alone is not enough; you need specific, recognised expertise.
On eligibility, there is no strict age limit, but applicants under 18 or over 55 must demonstrate exceptional benefit to Australia. Applicants are also generally expected to be able to earn at or above the Fair Work high income threshold, which is A$190,100 for the 2026-27 year and is indexed each 1 July. These are guidance points drawn from current Home Affairs material; because visa criteria change, treat them as a starting picture and confirm the latest detail with the Department or a registered migration agent before acting.
How Sleek supports your company setup
Relocating a startup to Australia means running a visa process and standing up a local business at the same time, often from overseas and across time zones.
Sleek takes the company-setup half off your plate: incorporating your Pty Ltd, providing a resident director so you meet the section 201A requirement before you arrive, setting up your ABN, TFN and GST, and handling the ongoing accounting and compliance.
A dedicated accountant means your Australian entity is ready and compliant in step with your visa, through one provider. For the visa itself, we work alongside your registered migration agent rather than replacing them.
This article covers the company-setup side as general guidance. Sleek is not a migration agent; engage a registered migration agent for your visa application.
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FAQs on the National Innovation Visa for founders
Who is eligible for the National Innovation Visa as a founder?
Founders with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement, ideally aligned with one of the government’s priority sectors. There is no strict age limit, though those under 18 or over 55 must show exceptional benefit to Australia, and applicants are generally expected to meet the Fair Work high income threshold, A$190,100 for 2026-27.
How does the NIV differ from the old Global Talent visa?
The NIV replaced the Global Talent Independent program on 6 December 2024, keeping the subclass 858 structure but shifting the assessment toward strategic national impact rather than income alone. The Department introduced a four-tier priority system that ranks applicants by the value and national relevance of their contribution, prioritising invitations accordingly.
Do I need a nominator for the National Innovation Visa?
Yes. Every applicant needs a nominator with a national reputation in your field, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation, who endorses your achievements on the nomination form. The nominator is an endorser, not a financial sponsor, so they take on no legal or financial obligation for you.
What are the priority sectors for the NIV?
The highest-priority (Tier One) sectors are critical technologies, health industries, and renewables and low-emission technologies, reflecting Australia’s focus on strategic national capability. Achievements in these fields attract the strongest consideration. Other innovative sectors remain eligible but are more competitive, and general business experience without recognised sector expertise is generally not sufficient.
Can I set up an Australian company before I get the visa?
Yes. You can incorporate an Australian Pty Ltd before your visa is granted, but every company must have a director who ordinarily resides in Australia. Until you are living in Australia as a permanent resident, a resident director service can fill that role so the company is compliant, letting you establish the business while your visa is being processed.
