The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) (NIV) is a permanent residence visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in their field.
The NIV is for established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent and skills who can make significant contributions to benefit Australia’s future prosperity.
This includes:
- global researchers
- entrepreneurs
- innovative investors
- athletes and creatives.
You must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and then be invited by the Department of Home Affairs before you can lodge an application for a NIV.
The Department of Home Affairs has four priority areas for considering EOIs, with priority one being the highest. Nomination from Tasmania gives an EOI priority two status.
The following priority sectors are also considered when issuing invitations:
Tier One Priority Sectors
- Critical technologies
- Renewables and low emission technologies
- Health Industries
Tier Two Priority Sectors
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Education
- Defence Capabilities and Space
- Financial Services and FinTech
- Infrastructure and Transport
- Resources
More information about eligibility and priority areas and sectors is available on the Home Affairs website.
NOTE: nomination from Tasmania does not guarantee an invitation or a visa. The Australian Government is responsible for these decisions.
Eligibility for Tasmanian Government nomination
The Tasmanian Government nominates NIV candidates to the Australian Government to attract exceptional individuals who can contribute to the state in the areas of innovation, productivity and economic growth.
To be considered, you must:
- demonstrate exceptional talent through a record of internationally recognised achievement in your field
- have an established relationship with a Tasmanian government department or authority, the University of Tasmania or its associated research institutes or be recommended by a Tasmanian business that has an established relationship with a Tasmanian government department or authority
- be referred by a Tasmanian government department or authority, or area of the University of Tasmania with expertise in your field
- meet the Department of Home Affairs’ criteria for the National Innovation Visa and
- show a genuine commitment to live in and contribute to Tasmania.
Indicators of exceptional and recognised achievement
Candidates must demonstrate exceptional achievements and expertise through one or more of the following:
- Receipt of award/s for exceptional and outstanding achievements (for example, Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Olympic gold medal)
- Significant research funding or advanced academic qualifications
- High-profile keynote appearances or global leadership roles
- Intellectual property rights or successful commercialisation outcomes
- Proven innovation or entrepreneurial activity
- Sporting or creative achievements that enhance Australia’s international reputation
- Other indicators of exceptional, internationally recognised talent.
Find out more on the Home Affairs website.
How to be nominated by the Tasmanian Government
Have a past or current relationship with a relevant Tasmanian Government department/agency or the University of Tasmania
You will have engaged with a Tasmanian Government department or agency, the University of Tasmania, or other relevant research or academic organisation, on work in your field of internationally recognised expertise that is of the scale and vision to deliver significant innovation, productivity and economic growth to Tasmania.
You will have an existing relationship with the department, agency or institution and a representative will be able to present a compelling business case on your behalf.
If your work is with the University of Tasmania, its associated research institutions, or another other relevant research or academic organisation, Migration Tasmania can nominate you provided the organisation can present a compelling business case on your behalf.
Be nominated by a Tasmanian Government department or agency or the University of Tasmania
A Tasmanian Government department or agency can support your nomination based on your internationally recognised expertise and how that expertise will be transferred to Tasmania. The department’s representative must prepare a short business case to support your nomination. Migration Tasmania will work with the government department, university or other relevant research or academic organisation to complete the Home Affairs Form 1000 nomination form.
Once complete, Migration Tasmania will send you these documents to include with your EOI to the Department of Home Affairs.
Submit your Expression of Interest to the Australian Government
Submit your Department of Home Affairs EOI together with your Tasmanian Government nomination to the Department of Home Affairs.
Invitation to apply for a National Innovation Visa
After you submit your EOI the Department of Home Affairs will decide whether or not to invite you to apply for a NIV. If you are invited to apply, make sure you meet all the required criteria to apply for the visa.
NOTE: nomination does not guarantee an invitation. Invitation and visa decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs and any enquiries about the EOI process should be directed there.
Information for nominating Tasmanian Government agencies, university or academic / research institutions
To nominate a candidate for Tasmanian nomination, a representative of the agency or organisation needs to complete a short business case to outline:
- how the applicant has an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their profession, the arts, sport or research and academia
- how the applicant would be an asset to the Australian community, in particular Tasmania
- details of the applicant’s proposed activity in Tasmania and how their skills and experience would be utilised.
The representative will then submit this business case to Migration Tasmania who will complete the Form 1000 nomination form and provide both the business case and the application form back to the candidate.
If you have an eligible candidate, please get in touch with Migration Tasmania at niv@migration.tas.gov.au and we can advise on suitability of the candidate and how to complete the business case. We will work with you to complete the Form 1000 application form for your candidate.
If you are not representing a Tasmanian Government department or agency and instead represent an academic or research organisation such as the University of Tasmania or Menzies Centre, you may still nominate an eligible candidate. Provided you can present a compelling business case, Migration Tasmania may be able to nominate the candidate on your behalf as a representative of the Department of State Growth. Please contact Migration Tasmania at niv@migration.tas.gov.au to discuss.