Blog updated on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025.

If you are looking at the National Innovation Visa (NIV) you must be nominated by a senior professional in your field. This person will vouch for you and can speak on your behalf about how your talent can bring benefit to Australia. This is a key part of the NIV process but one that is often overlooked. Here are our tips on how to find a National Innovation nominator.

Click here for National Innovation Visa criteria

您想要阅读中文版本吗？请点击这里?

Important terms:

"Applicant" or "Nominee" – this is you, the person who is applying or hoping to apply for the National Innovation Visa (NIV) Subclass 858.

"Nominator" – this is the person providing the nomination to the applicant/nominee. This person will be the author of the Form 1000.

"Expression of Interest" or "EOI" - the document you send to the Department of Home Affairs to express your wish to be considered for a National Innovation Visa.

"Invitation" - the document the Department of Home Affairs sends to applicants who it deems suitable for the National Innovation Visa. NOTE: this an invitation to apply, it does not guarantee you will receive a visa!

"Application" - after receiving an invitation, this is the document you submit to actually apply for the National Innovation Visa. 

"Department of Home Affairs" or "the Department" - the department of the Federal Government of Australia in charge of immigration and visas

  Book an Appointment

The Do’s

Below are some of the things we recommend you do when finding a National Innovation Visa nominator.

1. Understand the Form 1000

The Form 1000 is the nomination form for the National Innovation Visa.

Currently,  unless you are referred or nominated by an Australian government agency (Commonwealth, State or Territory) you do not need to provide the completed Form 1000 at the EOI stage.

However, in our experience, it is recomended that applicants have this already completed when submitting their EOI. This form gets updated from time to time, so it is important to ensure you have the most up-to-date version of the Form 1000. You can find the current version on the Department of Home Affairs’ website.

The updates to this form have usually been to increase the amount of information required from the nominator. 

While not strictly required, we strongly recommend that you have your Form 1000 ready  even at the the Expression of Interest stage. If invited to apply for the NIV, you are given 60 days from the date of invitation to apply, there is a risk that you may not find a nominator during this time and you will miss the chance to apply.

2. Ask Previous Co-workers and Bosses

We understand that you may feel uncomfortable asking those at your current workplace to nominate you, as this can signal that you are looking to end your employment and move your life to Australia for the long-term.

Co-workers and bosses, however, are some of the best nominators as they have lots of first-hand experience of how you work and what your strengths really are. Sometimes they can have better insights than you do yourself! They are also usually as prominent (if not more so) than you are. Try asking people you used to work for, or senior managers in other departments of the business, who you can trust not to tell your current boss!

Just ensure that your boss or co-workers is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and has a national reputation in your area of achievement.

3. Ask Colleagues to Put You in Touch with Prominent Professionals

Your existing social and professional networks can be a great asset if you do not have a nominator to hand. This might be because none of your first-hand contacts.

Discuss with your network that you are looking to apply for this visa and ask if people might have worked with or know professionally an Australian citizen or permanent resident. If they have some contacts, see if you can set up a first meeting, either to get coffee together or to have an initial chat on the phone or via videoconferencing.

The way you find someone can be an important part of the nomination, as the Department has recently shown increased interest in how the nominator came to know the nominee. If you met through your network, this can be a very easy explanation for the Department to understand.

4. Choose Your Best Nominator

Some lucky applicants may have several persons open to nominating them for their National Innovation Visa. If this is you, it is important that you choose the best nominator for your application.

This depends on the situation. Two important things to consider are:

1. How prominent the nominator is in your field; and
2. How well the nominator knows you.

Sometimes somebody who you know less well, but who is extremely prominent in your target sector can be the right choice. Other times, it will be someone you are very close to, but might be slightly less prominent than your other options. Prominence is usually the dominant factor. The Department would rather hear form somebody who knows a lot about the field than somebody who is your close friend, but knows little about the field.

Whichever is the best choice for you, it is important to be considerate when discussing this with your options. While you can only put forward one Form 1000 for your visa, references from other professionals can be very useful in showing you are a National Innovator. Even if some contacts do not end up providing a Form 1000 nomination, you might ask them for a letter of support instead.

The Don’ts

Here are some things to avoid for your National Innovation nomination and Form 1000.

1. Don’t Pay Someone

There have been concerns raised about integrity risks in the National Innovation Visa program. While there is no express rule against payment for nomination, the exchange of any payment (whether in exchange for nomination or not) might undermine the earnestness of the nomination in the eyes of the Department. As such, we do not recommend offering payment in exchange for your nomination, and being very careful that your nomination does not appear to be financially motivated.

The exception to this is certain organisations who charge an application or administration fees for nominations. These sorts of organisations are experienced at providing a verification as a service, and so payment in those circumstances is appropriate.

2. Don’t Provide False Information

Do not ask your nominator to provide information to the Department which they would not know about. Unless the information the nominee gives comes directly from their own experiences, it is considered false information. Giving false information, or inciting a nominator to provide false information for your benefit, will automatically preclude you from receiving a National Innovation Visa and quite possibly, any other Australian visa you might pursue in future.

3. Don't Use Someone Who is Doing Numerous Nominations

Some people may be nominating several people at once. This is not in itself a problem, however if someone is nominating too many people, this may cause the Department to grow suspicious. Further, if there is a problem with any of these nominations, it may quickly become your problem. If one of the nominations is considered problematic, it will most likely lead to the Department refusing all nominations made by that nominator.

As such, we recommend that you ask someone to nominate you with whom you have a genuine connection and who is closely associated with you.

Conclusion

The nomination is a critical part of your National Innovation Visa and it is important that you get it right. We understand that locating a nominator and getting a good quality Form 1000 can be challenging but if you follow our advice and reach out to all the connections in your professional network, you will give yourself the best possible chance at success.

Complete our free NIV assessment.  

Do you need legal help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an Appointment

Author:

Luke Edwards, Associate Lawyer at Work Visa Lawyers

Disclaimer

This information is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice. All information provided on this page is provided for purely educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your situation, please speak with an Immigration Lawyer or a Registered Migration Agent.

Resources

National Innovation Visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858

National Innovation visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa

Form 1000: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1000.pdf

Senator James Paterson, Chair of the Joint Committee in Intelligence and Security has announced that skilled visa applicants coming to Australia from Hong Kong will receive priority processing, a sentiment which Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke confirmed on 30 July 2021 on ABC Radio.  While filling the void in Australia’s skilled labour force is certainly a driving factor in this decision, Paterson said it was also a moral obligation and " the right thing to do after the Chinese Communist Party broke its promise to protect the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong."  While Australia is already fast-tracking business, investment, and global talent visas for Hong Kong nationals, this is a new opportunity for those who could not previously obtain an Australian visa to escape the political turmoil of their homeland. 

If you're a Permanent Resident of Australia, congratulations!  You've already come so far and done so well.  But you're looking to take things one step further, you might consider becoming an Australian Citizen.  Citizens have the privilege of voting rights, financial assistance for education, government jobs, and protection from deportation.  It's definitely worth pursuing!  So how do you become a citizen of Australia?

July is the start of the new immigration program year and this is the latest news on the upcoming changes for Australian immigration.

On 15 April 2021, the Minister for Immigration gave a directive to expand the definition of “character reasons” as a reason for visa cancellation.  The new rule, Ministerial Direction 90, focuses on family violence and means some Australia visa holders who were previously ok to stay, could have their visas cancelled.

Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud, has announced an agriculture visa will become available in 2021.  The new visa is a result of Australia’s trade discussions with the UK in which it was agreed that British backpackers would no longer be required to work on Australian farms to retain their visas.  The arrangement will release British tourists from often undesired requirement, and provide an opportunity for other travellers to visit Australia.

In a media release yesterday, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced a plan to return international students to Australia in 2021.  The plan will be funded entirely by local universities and will be in addition to the number of other passengers allowed to arrive per week (such as permanent residents and Australian citizens).  250 students from 14 NSW and ACT universities will be permitted to arrive in Sydney per fortnight.  Once on Aussie shores, the students will be directed to private quarantine facilities for an isolation period before they are able to move freely in the community.  The plan is expected to commence in the second half of the year. 

While Covid is keeping most Australian states and territories closed for offshore applicants, South Australia announced in May 2021 that it is now considering sponsoring offshore applicants for 491 and 190 visas.

They raised you, supported you, and loved you… and now in return, you want to bring them to Australia.  They’re your parents.  But what is the best way to get them here, and how much is it going to cost?

Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke made a statement on Wednesday 19 May on how the Business and Innovation and Investor Program will be changing in 2021.  New rules commence on 01 July 2021 and although the legislation is yet to be released, the Minister’s statement gives us a good idea how the program will operate moving forward and how the changes will affect you, the investor.

What is the Business Innovation and Investment Program?

The Business Innovation and Investment Program provides a path for people to migrate to Australia on the proviso that they financially invest in the Australian market.  This visa category is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get permanent residency and even citizenship in Australia.  It also allows you to bring your immediate family to Australia, something other visas have not always made easy.

What Are the Changes?

The new legislation has not yet been released so we do not have a full picture of the new system, but based on Minister Hawke’s statement, the following changes will occur as of 01 July 2021:

• The 132A and 132B Business Talent visas will no longer exist
• The 188D Premium Investor visa will no longer exist
• The ratios of the Complying Investment Framework are changing
• The threshold for the 188B Investor visa is increasing from $1.5 million to $2.5 million
• The 188B Investor visa will now have to invest in accordance with the Complying Investment Framework
• The term of all 188 visas will be 5 years, but complying visa holders will be able to apply for permanent residency after just 3 years

In summary, the new visas under the Business Innovation and Investment Program are:

How do I get Permanent Residency?

Under the old rules, holders of the 132 Business Talent visa were granted immediate permanent residency.  The changes are doing away with this visa and new applicants will have to spend some time as temporary visa holders before they can apply to become permanent residents of Australia.  Previously, temporary visa holders in the 188 stream could stay for 4 years and apply for permanent residency at the end of those 4 years.  This lead to something of a panic at the end of the 4 years, with visa holders scrambling to get paperwork formalised in time so that a visa extension would not be needed.  In order to grant more flexibility, 188 visa holders now have a temporary visa of 5 years but can apply for permanent residency after 3 years, provided they comply with the requirements.

The requirements vary slightly from case to case, but generally speaking to comply with the 188 and qualify for permanent residency, you must:

• Reside in Australia for at least 40 days per calendar year; and
• Your investment must adhere to the rules of the Complying Investment Framework.

Complying Investment Framework

The Complying Investment Framework sets out how the funds must be invested.  This framework has always existed for 188 visas but effective 01 July 2021, the percentages allocated into the various components will change. 

The components are:

• Venture Capital and Private Equity
  This is used to invest in Australian start-ups and small private companies.
• Approved Managed Funds
  This is used to invest in new companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
• Balancing Investment
  the remaining total of investments can comprise any of the above 2 categories.

Perhaps the most significant change of the announcement, is that the holders of 188B Investor visa must now also comply with the Complying Investment Framework (CIF).  Prior to this change, holders of the Investor visa could invest their funds into Australian Government bonds.  The change has been made to ensure the money coming from investor visas goes to new businesses and creates local jobs.  While the CIF is a slightly higher risk venture than government bonds, we hope that potential applicants can see the reasoning behind the change and that it does not dissuade them from their plans to move to Australia.

Entrepreneur Visa

The Entrepreneur visa is the lowest threshold investment visa, requiring an investment of $200,000.  The Department of Home Affairs announced in December 2020, that the required assets of the applicant would increase from $800,000 to $1.25 million in July 2021, but yesterday’s announcement was silent on any further changes to this visa.  We await the release of the new legislation which will give us all the details on whether anything else is different.

Tax Improvements

Historically, tax for investors in Australia has been needlessly complicated.  Following the 2021-2022 Federal Budget announcements it appears the government intends to simplify the tax rules for visa holders.  The Australian government plans to replace the existing framework with a new set of rules that are easy to understand and apply.  This should reduce the cost of complying with the rules, and provide more certainty for investors.

One new rule is that any person who physically resides in Australia for 183 days or more in a year will be considered an Australian tax resident.  Those who have been here for fewer than 183 days will have other criteria but the government assures us these will be simpler and based on measurable facts.

If Australian tax law was putting you off investing in Australia, it is worth revisiting the idea with your financial advisor.

What Now?

If you have the means to invest and you are considering a move to Australia, the Business Innovation and Investment Program remains one of the best pathways to entry, even after the changes.  You don’t need to worry about things like points or skills assessments, you can bring your spouse and children with you, and you can apply for permanent residency – now in only 3 years!  Of course this is a big decision and we recommend you speak to an experienced lawyer and an independent  financial advisor *  Make an appointment with Work Visa Lawyers today to discuss whether this is the right visa for you.

*Work Visa Lawyers are not financial advisors and cannot provide you with financial advice – you should also speak with an independent financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Australian Business and Significant Investor Visas Subclass 188 Closed - New Visa Expected in 2024! Read more here! 

Author

Chris Johnston, Principal Lawyer and Founder of Work Visa Lawyers

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can also subscribe to our Facebook: WORK VISA lawyers

SOURCES:

• 17 December 2020, Australian Government, Alan Tudge press release, URL: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-publications/submissions-and-discussion-papers/biip-getting-better-deal-australia.

• 19 May 2021, Australian Government, Alex Hawke press release, URL: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/AlexHawke/Pages/getting-a-better-deal-for-australia-from-visa-investments-19-05-2021.aspx.

• Federal Budget 2021-2020 Fact Sheet, Australian Government, URL:
  https://budget.gov.au/2021-22/content/factsheets/download/factsheet_tax.pdf