Subclass 858 — National Innovation visa

Eligibility snapshot

General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa aimed, in general terms, at a small number of individuals who hold an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a field the Australian Government considers a priority. It replaced the earlier Global Talent pathway and is structured as a selective, invitation-only program rather than a visa anyone can lodge at will. At a process level, eligibility typically turns on a few broad ideas. First, a person registers their interest and is identified or assessed against the program's criteria; in many cases a nominator with standing in the same field is involved, depending on the priority category that applies. Second, the achievement claimed is expected to be genuinely high-level and recognised beyond a single employer or country. Third, an invitation must be received before any visa application can be made — being identified or expressing interest does not by itself create a right to apply or any expectation of a grant. Standard considerations that apply to most Australian permanent visas — such as meeting health and character requirements, and providing identity evidence — generally apply here as well, and family members can usually be included. The precise criteria, priority categories, eligible fields, and any nomination rules change over time and are set out on the official page. Because whether a particular background meets the threshold is highly fact-specific, a registered practitioner can advise on individual circumstances. Always check the official page for current requirements.

Costs and the government charge

General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. The subclass 858 visa carries its own Visa Application Charge (VAC), which is a charge paid to the Australian Government and is entirely separate from any platform fees or fees a registered practitioner may charge for their services. At the time of writing, the base charge for the main applicant has been published at roughly the high-four-thousand-dollar range (AUD), with reduced amounts typically applying to each additional applicant included in the same application (often a larger amount for adults and a smaller amount for dependent children). These figures are reviewed regularly — usually around the start of the financial year — so the exact current amounts should always be confirmed using the official visa pricing estimator linked from the official page rather than relied on from any third-party summary. A few additional points apply in general terms. A further charge can apply in some situations, for example where an applicant or partner does not meet a functional English requirement at the time of application. Beyond the government charge, applicants commonly budget for ancillary costs such as health examinations, police certificates, document translations, and any English testing — none of which are part of the VAC. Because the total cost depends on family composition and individual circumstances, a registered practitioner can advise on what is likely to apply, and the official estimator should be used for the definitive government figure.

Frequently asked questions