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Skilled migration

Subclass 858

National Innovation visa

A permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area. You apply only after being invited.

Overview

With this visa you can

  • Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
  • Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible

Requirements

The official page lists these main requirements. Each stream adds its own.

  • Be invited to apply, and apply within 60 days of the invitation
  • Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area

All requirements on the Home Affairs page

Documents & forms

The official page lists the documents to provide with an application. Open the documents list on Home Affairs.

Forms often used with this visa

The official page lists the documents each application requires.

Browse all departmental forms

Preparation checklist: a printable list of common steps and documents, each linked to its official source.

Published processing times and charges

Official processing times

Home Affairs publishes how long it took to decide past applications: the time within which 25, 50, 75 and 90 per cent were decided. Each stream keeps its own reporting period.

YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs processing times on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. The source reports 12 October 2026 for this version; this is separate from our check date. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry.

Official processing times by stream
Stream25% of applications50%75%90%Reporting period endedSource published
Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)12 months16 months19 months24 months31 August 202612 October 2026
National Innovation3 months6 months7 months7 months31 August 202612 October 2026

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions). Past decisions only; not a prediction for any application. Current official processing times ↗

Processing times for this visa, by stream, with the reporting period.

Visa application charge

Visa application charges by applicant
ApplicationMain applicantEach additional applicant 18 or overEach additional applicant under 18
All applications
Official conditions and notes

Note The second instalment - in the case of each applicant who was 18 years or more at time of application and is assessed as not having functional English: AUD4,890. For any other applicant the second instalment is nil. get_app Go to visa page

$6,235$3,120$1,560

YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs price list on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry. Other costs, such as health checks or a second instalment, may apply, and government charges are separate from any professional fee. Current official pricing ↗

Updates & sources

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. This summary was written from the official page on 20 October 2026.

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This page is general information written from the official page. It does not assess anyone’s eligibility, is not migration advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer or registered migration agent. The official page is always the current source. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

Registered practitioners

Find a practitioner for National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

No registered practitioner is listed for this visa yet

Registered migration agents and lawyers appear here once they have chosen to be listed for this visa. For requirements and how to apply, the official page is the place to start.