Business Visa

1. The subclass 188 Business Innovation visa (‘188a visa’)
2. The subclass 858 Global Talent visa via the Global Talent Independent Program (‘GTI visa’)

• 188a – temporary residency (may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after 3 years)
• GTI visa – permanent residency

1. Start-up a new business in Australia;
2. Expand an existing business into Australia; 
3. Purchase an Australian business that is for sale; or
4. Acquire shares in, and operate, an existing Australian business.

188a Visas 

1. Points Test

A minimum of 65 points are required. Points are calculated based on:

1. Turnover
2. Net value assets 
3. Age.
4. English language ability
5. Educational Qualifications 
6. IP ownership 
7. Receiving government grants or venture capital funding
8. Entering into successful joint ventures 

2. Turnover

Ownership of one or more businesses (maximum 2) that have had an annual turnover of at least $750,000AUD (2 out of last 4 fiscal years). 

3. Business and Personal Assets

Assets with a net value of at least $1,250,000AUD. This can include assets held by a spouse or de facto partner. 

4. Nomination from Australian State or Territory  

Each State and Territory has their own nomination criteria. 

GTI Visas

1. Have Experience in a Target Sector 

1. Resources  
2. Agri-food and Agtech 
3. Energy 
4. Health Industries 
5. Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, and Space
6. Circular Economy 
7. DigiTech 
8. Infrastructure and Tourism
9. Financial Services and FinTech 
10. Education

2. Salary Requirement

Successful applicants can attract an annual salary of at least $158,500AUD. 

3. Previous Record

This must include achievements that are internationally recognised as outstanding and exceptional. 

4. Prominence

Applicants need to still be prominent in their fields of expertise. 

5. Benefit to Australia

Either economic, social, or cultural. 

6. Employability

This includes obtaining employment or becoming self-employed.  

7. Nomination

From an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or organisation that has a national reputation in the same field of expertise as the applicant.  

188a Visa
1. Submitting an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’)
2. Submitting a nomination application
3. Submitting a visa application

GTI Visa

1. Submitting an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’)
2. Submitting a visa application

• 188a Visa: 6-18 months
• GTI Visa: 4-12 months

188a Visa

• $6,085AUD for the main applicant
• $3,045AUD for family members over the age of 18
• $1,520AUD for family members under the age of 18

If an applicant does not have ‘Functional’ English language abilities, they also need to pay: 

• $9,795AUD for the main applicant
• $4,890AUD for family members over the age of 18

GTI Visa

• $4,180AUD for the main applicant
• $2,095AUD for family members over the age of 18
• $1,045AUD for family members under the age of 18

If an applicant does not have ‘Functional’ English language abilities, they also need to pay $4,890AUD.

• Nomination application fee – 188a visas only 
• Translation fees for documents that are not bilingual or solely in English
• English language tests fees (if applicable)
• Professional fees for service providers (i.e lawyers, accountants, business consultants)