National Innovation Visa: A 2025 Progress Update on Australia's NIV Program

The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is a central part of Australia's plan to bring in world-class talent and boost its economy through new ideas. Launched on December 6, 2024, as a replacement for the Global Talent Visa, the NIV offers permanent residency to individuals with internationally recognized records of exceptional achievement in fields such as research, entrepreneurship, investment, sports, and the arts. As of August 2025, the program continues to evolve, with progressive invitation rounds, state-specific nomination processes, and a focus on priority sectors. This article provides an updated overview based on recent developments, including allocation expectations, invitation data, and state nomination criteria.

For the latest official information, always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.

NIV Allocation and Invitation Process

The National Innovation Visa allocation for the 2024-25 migration year was set at 4,000 places, with invitations issued in rounds throughout the year. For the 2025-26 year, official allocations have not yet been published by the Department of Home Affairs, but expectations remain around 4,000 places, consistent with the prior year. Unlike state-nominated visas like subclasses 190 and 491, the NIV operates without state-specific quotas. However, state or territory nominations play a significant role in prioritizing candidates, though they do not guarantee an invitation.

Invitations are merit-based and invitation-only, requiring an Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the Department. As of May 26, 2025, approximately 6,400 EOIs had been received, with 130 invitations issued in rounds during May and July 2025. These invitations targeted candidates in high-impact areas such as AI, renewable energy, digital health, biotechnology, and space science, including some with state nominations.

Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the Department reveals earlier trends: As of March 21, 2025, 3,510 EOIs were submitted, leading to 70 invitations. The distribution of invitations favored priority sectors, with 23 each in Critical Technologies and Health Industries, 9 in Renewables and Low Emission Technologies, 7 in Agri-food and AgTech, and fewer than 5 in areas like Defence Capabilities and Space, Infrastructure and Transport, Sport, and the Arts. EOI submissions by sector showed Critical Technologies leading with 834, followed by Health Industries (554), Financial Services and FinTech (372), and Renewables (348). This data underscores the program's emphasis on sectors driving Australia's innovation agenda.

Priority Levels for National Innovation Visa Invitations

The NIV operates under four priority levels to streamline processing and target high-value talent:

• Priority 1: is for the world's top achievers—like Nobel Prize winners—who are recognized as the absolute best in their field, no matter what that field is.

• Priority 2: Candidates nominated by expert Australian Commonwealth, State, or Territory Government agencies, highlighting the influential role of nominations in expediting invitations.

• Priority 3 and 4: Other high-caliber applicants in emerging or established innovation fields, assessed based on their potential economic contributions.

Department processing directives now emphasize nominations as a key factor, placing nominated candidates in Priority 2 for faster consideration.

State Nomination Developments for the NIV

As of August 2025, only South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria have actively rolled out nomination frameworks, with other states and territories yet to open or finalize processes. Nominations enhance an applicant's EOI by demonstrating state-specific benefits, such as job creation or ecosystem growth, and must be included in the federal EOI submission.

Victoria

Victoria published its nomination criteria for the National Innovation Visa in mid-July 2025. Candidates must be identified as suitable by an authorized body in their field and referred to a relevant government department or agency, such as Invest Victoria for high-net-worth individuals. The assessment focuses on the applicant's profile against NIV objectives, planned activities in Victoria, anticipated benefits to the state, and a genuine intention to live and contribute there. While open to all sectors, priorities include research, innovation, entrepreneurship, the arts, and sport. Successful nominees receive a nomination document to attach to their EOI.

New South Wales

New South Wales opened Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for NIV nominations on July 30, 2025, with a merit-based, EOI-led process. Applicants must submit detailed ROIs demonstrating how they meet criteria, including benefits to NSW through innovative and scalable ventures. Pathways include researchers with international impact, entrepreneurs scaling disruptive ventures, innovative investors, sports professionals, and creative talents.

South Australia

South Australia was among the first to open nominations for the National Innovation Visa in late June 2025, using an ROI system to attract high-caliber talent. Eligibility requires demonstrating economic benefits and job creation, such as current employment in SA, a job offer above the Fair Work High Income Threshold, or a support letter from a state agency.

Other States and Territories

Currently, no nomination processes are open in Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, or the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The ACT has explicitly stated its process is not yet operational. Updates from these regions are anticipated as the program matures. For ongoing coverage of these developments, you can follow updates on VisasUpdate.com.

Conclusion

The National Innovation Visa (NIV) program is gaining momentum in 2025, with state nominations proving crucial for securing Priority 2 status and accelerating invitations. As invitation data shows, sectors like Critical Technologies and Health Industries dominate, aligning with Australia's focus on innovation-driven growth. Prospective applicants should monitor the Department of Home Affairs website for allocation announcements and consider state nominations to strengthen their EOIs. For detailed criteria and the latest news, consult official state resources or trusted sources like VisasUpdate.com.