National Innovation Visa
The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is designed to attract individuals at the top of their professional field to Australia. While the Australian Government focuses on some industries of particular strategic interest to Australia, anyone exceptional in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research may be eligible to apply for this visa.
The main benefits of the NIV are:
It is a permanent visa.
It does not require a sponsor.
It allows applicants up to the age of 55, or older where they are of ‘exceptional benefit’ to Australia.
It is also important to understand who the NIV is not targeted towards. The NIV program is designed only for people at the very top of their field. Typically, applicants would be known internationally among their colleagues in their field and recognised as one of the best in the world.
Having a PhD, for example, may indicate that an applicant is highly qualified in their field, but it does not, on its own, indicate that the applicant is likely to meet the threshold required for the NIV. PhD holders would need to go one step further and demonstrate how their research has had, and continues to have, a real-world impact.
The System
It is not possible to simply apply for this visa. First, applicants must undergo an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The EOI is where applicants make their case for why they should be allowed to apply for the visa. If the Government considers the prospective applicant's EOI compelling, the applicant will be invited to submit a visa application, at which stage they will need to substantiate any claims made in the EOI about their achievements, reputation and skills.
The Nominator
Before being able to submit an EOI, applicants must be ‘nominated’ by an Australian citizen or permanent resident with a national reputation in the relevant field. The purpose of this requirement is for the Department to have someone vouch for the applicant. Many applicants, particularly in academia, will have incredibly specialised skill sets that can be difficult to understand for people not working in that field. The nominator helps by providing an independent assessment of whether the individual is, in fact, as outstanding as claimed.
For people based overseas, finding a nominator might be the main hurdle in securing the visa. Prospective applicants will need to leverage all of their professional networks to find a suitable nominator.
Priority Sectors
Although the National Innovation Visa program is not limited to certain industries, some industries are prioritised. As a result, other than individuals who have received ‘top-of -field’ awards, applicants with outstanding skills in a priority sector are more likely to receive an invitation to apply for the visa. Priority sectors include:
Critical Technologies
Renewable and low-emission technologies
Health Industries
Agri-food and AgTech
Defence Capabilities and Space
Education
Financial Services and Fintech
Infrastructure and Transport
Resources
If you are considering whether you have reasonable prospects of obtaining a National Innovation Visa and would benefit from an assessment by a qualified professional, please get in touch.
