NSW to Launch National Innovation (PR) Visa Nomination Program

Vikrant Gungash
Jun 28
6 min read

By Nikhil Seth, June 28 2025

The New South Wales Government has announced it will open a state nomination program for Australia’s new National Innovation (subclass 858) visa (NIV) – a permanent residency (PR) pathway for exceptionally talented individuals. The NIV was introduced by the Australian Government in December 2024, replacing the former Global Talent and Business Innovation visas. The NIV is a permanent visa for exceptionally talented migrants – targeting established and emerging leaders such as researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, and creatives who can contribute to Australia’s innovation and productivity.

NSW’s skilled migration plan now includes a nomination framework for this visa. The state will begin accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in early July 2025. Under this program, NSW will select and nominate candidates who have proven world-class achievement and a strong connection to the state. The government emphasises “evidence of action, not just aspiration”: applicants must show tangible, past results and a credible plan to deliver impact in NSW. In practice, this means demonstrating clear alignment with NSW priorities (such as key tech, health, renewable energy, or creative industries) and a track record of creating economic or social value (for example, jobs, revenue, investment, or collaborations in NSW).

Nomination Streams & Key Criteria

NSW will nominate exceptional candidates across five talent streams, each tailored to a particular field of excellence. Key criteria include a track record of world-class achievement and a plan to contribute to NSW. In summary:

Academics & Researchers: Senior researchers or professors with outstanding credentials – for example, a PhD and a strong publication record (papers in top journals, high citation counts), major research grants or awards, or patents and significant project outcomes. Applicants should demonstrate original research aligned with NSW’s strategic needs.
Entrepreneurs: Founders or senior leaders of high-growth, innovative businesses with proven success. Candidates should show concrete commercial results (such as revenue growth, investment rounds, or partnerships) and present a clear plan to scale or commercialise their product/service in NSW. Established start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, or business leaders in cutting-edge industries are ideal.
Innovative Investors: Individuals with a demonstrated track record of supporting innovation-driven ventures (for example, as venture capitalists, angel investors, or private equity partners). Applicants need to show substantial investments or sponsorship of R&D projects, and a history of mentoring or growing successful tech/knowledge enterprises. NSW is likely to favour investors who commit significant capital to priority sectors and who will actively deploy funds in Australia.
Sports Professionals: Elite athletes, coaches, or sports specialists with international standing. This includes Olympic or Commonwealth medalists, members of national teams, top-ranked competitors, or coaches with a record of success. Applicants must have exceptional sporting achievement (national/international recognition) and demonstrate how they will contribute to NSW’s sports sector, for example, through training programs or community engagement.
Creative Professionals: Accomplished artists, designers, performers, writers, filmmakers, and other creatives with notable international recognition. Eligible candidates include award-winning writers, musicians, visual artists, filmmakers, or designers who have achieved significant distinction (major prizes, exhibitions, publications, or performances). They should show how their work enriches NSW’s cultural landscape and creative industries.

Across all streams, robust evidence of achievement is essential. Acceptable evidence may include published research papers, patent filings, industry awards, grant funding letters, financial statements, contracts, or media profiles. Importantly, nominees must also demonstrate clear alignment with NSW’s strategic priorities and tangible impact: for example, prior job creation in NSW, revenue or investment attracted to local industries, collaborations with NSW institutions, or other outcomes that benefit the state.

Focus on Achievement & Impact

NSW’s nomination guidelines stress that only proven achievement will be rewarded. Candidates will be assessed on factors such as:

Established Track Record: Documented high-level achievements (such as influential publications and citation counts, major research grants, business revenue growth, large funding rounds, significant patents, top world rankings in sport, or internationally recognized awards). Unproven ideas or passive investments will not suffice.
Alignment with NSW Priorities: Clear relevance of the candidate’s work to NSW’s key industries and economic goals (for example, contributions to advanced manufacturing, digital technology, health and medical research, renewable energy, creative sectors, etc.). Candidates should articulate how their expertise meets a strategic need in NSW.
Demonstrated Impact: Evidence that the applicant’s work has already made a positive impact (such as jobs created, income or investment generated, partnerships formed with NSW organizations, community benefits, or enhancing Australia’s global profile). NSW wants to see concrete outcomes rather than abstract potential.
Credible Plans: A realistic, well-supported proposal for future contribution in NSW. This could include business plans, research collaboration proposals, or community engagement strategies that show how the nominee will expand their impact in NSW over time.

NSW is looking for “action, not aspiration” – nominees must be fully established leaders in their fields, not early-career talents. The nomination framework explicitly notes that candidates should be evaluated on “established and verifiable achievements” and ongoing impact.

NSW Nomination Process

The NSW nomination process (launching mid-2025) will be a structured, multi-step assessment. The simplified steps are:

Submit an NSW EOI: Interested candidates first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the NSW Skilled Migration portal. This is separate from any federal SkillSelect EOI. In the NSW EOI, applicants select the relevant stream and detail their career highlights and NSW connection (for example, past studies or work in NSW, or plans to base activities in NSW).
Expert Panel Review: NSW’s migration officers (with input from sector experts) will assess EOIs against the state’s criteria. Applications are evaluated holistically for exceptional achievements and fit with NSW’s economic and innovation goals. There are no quotas – only the highest-calibre applicants who clearly meet the merit requirements will progress.
Invitation to Apply: Shortlisted candidates will receive a formal invitation from NSW to submit a full nomination application. This invitation includes instructions to provide detailed documentation (reference letters, evidence of awards/funding, business plans, etc.) supporting all claims made in the EOI.
Comprehensive Application & Endorsements: Invited applicants submit the full nomination application, addressing each stream’s criteria in depth. NSW will also require independent expert endorsements: each nominee’s achievements must be corroborated by a recognized authority or institution in the field (for example, a senior academic, industry body, or sports federation). These third-party endorsements add credibility to the application.
Nomination Decision: NSW reviews the complete applications and endorsements. If approved, the state government lodges a Form 1000 nomination and issues a formal Letter of Support to the Department of Home Affairs on behalf of the candidate. This makes the candidate a state-nominated Priority 2 applicant, which the Department will prioritize in processing.
Visa Application: Finally, nominated individuals must apply for the National Innovation (subclass 858) visa with the Department of Home Affairs, including NSW’s nomination package. NSW has indicated it will stay engaged with nominees through the visa decision process, providing additional information if needed. Once granted, the NIV confers permanent residency (and a pathway to citizenship) with freedoms such as no age limit, flexible English requirements, and unrestricted work rights.

Further Information & Assistance

The new National Innovation (858) visa represents a direct PR pathway for truly exceptional migrants. Candidates who meet the stringent NSW criteria—a compelling global track record plus a strong plan for benefiting NSW—should prepare early. For migrants exploring this route, expert advice can be invaluable. Immigration advisors like WeAbide can provide guidance on aligning your profile with NSW’s criteria, refining your EOI, and assembling a competitive nomination package. Interested individuals are encouraged to consult with migration professionals to maximize their chances under the NSW NIV program.

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