The NSW Government summarised its criteria for nominating candidates under the new National Innovation Visa (NIV) program. The nomination process is scheduled to open in early July 2025.
Key Points:
- State nomination is not a visa grant: NSW nominates exceptional candidates in line with state strategic priorities. Final visa decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs, subject to national criteria and program limits.
- Nomination enhances applicant visibility: A nomination serves as a significant boost within the Home Affairs selection process—but does not guarantee a visa invitation.
- No dedicated allocation: State and territory governments do not receive quotas for the NIV.
- Highly competitive program: Targeted at individuals with a demonstrated track record of innovation and impact.
- Strict focus on merit and achievement: Applicants must show tangible personal achievements—not passive investment or repurposed business proposals from the previous BIIP (188 visa) program.
- Pathway structure is guided, not rigid: While nominations will be made within the five published pathways, NSW may adopt a facilitative approach for exceptional candidates exceeding Direction 112 expectations.
- Not suitable for early-career applicants: The NIV is intended for established professionals, not recent graduates or entry-level individuals.
- Independent validation of claims: NSW will conduct third-party validation of applicant credentials using sectoral experts or authorities.
- No formal third-party endorsement required: Unlike the former Global Talent visa, no external nomination is needed—though NSW may seek expert input during assessment.
What is the National Innovation visa?
The National Innovation visa (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 program seeks established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent and skills who can make significant contributions that will benefit Australia’s future prosperity.
Nomination Pathway
Five Target Pathway:
- Academic and Researcher – Advancing knowledge, solving real-world problems
- Entrepreneur – Founders driving high-impact, scalable ventures
- Innovative Investor – Strategic capital that builds NSW’s future industries
- Sports Professional – Global achievers contributing to NSW’s sporting excellence
- Creative Professional – Artists, designers & storytellers shaping NSW’s cultural identity
Priorities
The NSW NIV framework supports candidates with evidence of action, not just aspiration. Candidates must:
- Demonstrate past achievement – not just potential to deliver
- Clear alignment with NSW priorities
- Impact already underway – not speculative
- Credible, well-supported plans to contribute to NSW
1. Academic and Researcher Pathway
Designed for individuals with a distinguished record of academic or research achievement, particularly in fields strategically important to NSW.
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Research Excellence: The applicant must demonstrate a strong track record of original and impactful research relevant to NSW’s current or future economic or social needs.
2. Entrepreneur Pathway
Designed for individuals with a demonstrated history of entrepreneurial success and innovative, scalable business ventures with high growth potential for NSW.
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Track Record of Entrepreneurial Success: The applicant should have a proven history of founding, leading, or significantly contributing to successful innovative businesses.
3. Innovative Investor Pathway
Designed for individuals with a demonstrated track record of providing significant capital and expert insight into innovative ventures, contributing to their success and the growth of the innovation ecosystem within NSW.
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Significant Angel Investment Track Record: The applicant must demonstrate a history of providing substantial “angel” investment in innovative ventures with a track record of supporting their success.
4. Sports Professional Pathway
Designed for highly talented individuals in sports, including athletes, coaches, and other specialists, who will raise NSW’s international standing and contribute to the development of the sports sector.
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Exceptional Sporting Achievement (for Athletes): Athletes must demonstrate exceptional and outstanding achievements at the highest levels of their sport, with significant national or international recognition.
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Outstanding Coaching or Specialist Expertise (for Coaches and Specialists): Coaches and specialists (e.g., sports scientists, high-performance managers) must demonstrate a proven track record of outstanding success and significant impact at a high level of sport.
5. Creative Pathway
Designed for highly talented individuals in arts and cultural fields who have achieved national or international recognition and will enrich NSW’s creative and cultural landscape.
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Exceptional Talent and Artistic Distinction: The applicant must demonstrate exceptional talent and a high level of artistic distinction in their specific creative field (e.g., music, visual arts, performing arts, literature, design, film, digital media).
NSW Selection Process
NSW will take an EOI-led selection process to assess and nominate candidates. This will ensure NSW’s involvement is efficient, merit-based, and aligned with the federal system. It avoids open-ended applications by gating with an invitation. The process focuses on qualitative excellence rather than rigid quantitative cut-offs, in keeping with the spirit of the NIV program.
1. Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
Prospective candidates for NSW nomination will first submit an EOI through an online portal, capturing key information about the individual’s field, achievements, and proposed contribution to NSW.
2. Expert Review and Shortlisting
NSW nomination officers (with expertise across the pathways) will review EOIs. They will assess qualitative aspects – the significance of achievements, the credibility of the candidate’s plans, and fit with NSW priorities – applying a risk-based lens. Rather than a points test, this review is holistic and judgement based. The Investment NSW – Business and Skilled Migration team will consult domain experts as needed.
3. Invitation to Apply for Nomination
Shortlisted candidates will receive a formal invitation from NSW to submit a full application for state nomination. Detailed documentation to substantiate claims (e.g. reference letters, evidence of awards, business plans) as per the criteria, will then be requested.
4. Comprehensive Application & External Endorsement
Invited candidates will submit a complete application to NSW, addressing the relevant criteria in detail. In addition to an applicant’s letters of support, NSW will seek an independent expert endorsement for each shortlisted applicant. This endorsement will come from a recognised
individual or institution with national or international standing in the applicant’s field, selected from a curated register of endorsers. This process ensures that every nomination is underpinned by credible third-party validation aligned with Home Affairs’ expectations.
5. NSW Nomination Decision
Final decisions on nomination will take an “on balance” test (echoing the language of MD112) – weighing the candidate’s exceptional track record and the expected benefits to NSW, against any risks or uncertainties.
6. Final Nomination (Form 1000 and Letter of Support)
For candidates approved by NSW, the state will lodge an official Form 1000 nomination to the Department of Home Affairs, along with a formal letter of support. Form 1000 is the Australian Government-required nomination form where Investment NSW (as an “expert State government
agency”) certifies the applicant’s credentials and the merit of their migration to Australia.
7. Follow-Up
After nomination, NSW will maintain contact with nominees through the visa decision stage. While Home Affairs assesses visa criteria like health, character, and the overall “exceptional and outstanding” requirement, NSW can provide additional information if needed.
NSW State Migration Plan Strategic Overview 2024–2028
NSW is home to the largest share of migrants to Australia – this Plan will support migrant success and NSW priorities
NSW is working with the Australian Government to deliver shared migration priorities through the NSW State Migration Plan. Delivering
priorities such as boosting the care economy and building more homes requires the attraction and retention of skilled workers. The NSW State
Migration Plan will build on existing programs to support successful outcomes for migrants in NSW.
The Australian Government is responsible for the delivery of the immigration system
The Australian Government’s Migration Strategy is focussed on getting migration working for the nation. This will be supported by better national system planning informed by this plan.
Targeted migration can help address workforce needs in priority industries
The needs of the six Critical Skills Areas identified in the NSW Skills Plan are unlikely to be fully met through domestic skilling and can be supported by migration
- Construction (infrastructure and housing)
- Net Zero and Energy Transition
- Care and Support Economy
- Digital and Cyber
- Agriculture and Agrifood
- Advanced Manufacturing.
Region-based skills planning is key to ensuring migration supports regional economies.
Migration also supports our essential education and health workforces.
Attracting and retaining the best and brightest international students across industries enhances the domestic skilling pipeline and boosts local economies.
The Australian and NSW Governments seek to strengthen the migration system
- Boosting productivity and meeting skills shortages
- Meeting skills shortages in regional areas
- Making the migration system fast, efficient and fair for migrants and sponsors
- Strengthening social cohesion and family reunification
- Addressing long-term demographic challenges
- Improving the coordination of education, training and migration systems.
A national multi-year planning model will align migration efforts across all levels of government
- Attraction, outreach and retention strategies/engagements
- Consultation with key stakeholders
- Integrating migration planning processes with whole-of-government plans
- Skills assessment and qualification recognition; removal of inappropriate barriers
- Supporting migrants to settle and integrate into communities
- Working together to understand use of visa products to meet jurisdictional or national needs
- Working together on a two-way data sharing capability.
Select a state below to see it’s state nomination requirements:
Australia
State and territory requirements
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.
More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.
Talk to us
Applying for a National Innovation Visa (NIV) can be confusing as there are small intricacies in migration law. To alleviate your stress and worry about how to apply for the visa, you can book a time with us to help you understand the processes to make sure that you are on the right track.
National Innovation Visa – NSW Criteria
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