NSW Opens Nominations for the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

Elan Rysher
23 hours ago
6 min read

The New South Wales Government has opened Registrations of Interest (ROI) for the National Innovation visa (subclass 858). This permanent visa targets exceptionally talented professionals, and the NSW Government is offering nominations to select candidates who can demonstrate global excellence and the potential to contribute to the NSW economy.

ImmiUpdates covered the anticipated launch of this program in June. Now that nominations are live in NSW, this post explains the application process, nomination pathways, and the documents candidates should prepare.

About the National Innovation Visa

The National Innovation Visa (NIV) is highly sought-after. It targets exceptional individuals with a proven track record of innovation and achievement in key sectors. The NIV is competitive and merit-focused. It is available by invitation only.

To be considered for an invitation, interested individuals must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The Australian Department of Home Affairs has allowed states and territories to nominate selected candidates for the NIV. Once nominated, they are prioritised by Home Affairs over other candidates.

What Nomination Means—and What It Doesn’t

All NIV candidates must be nominated by a person or an organisation, such as a state or territory government, an Australian peak industry body, or a nationally recognised individual in the applicant’s field.

The nominator endorses the candidate's exceptional achievements; however, the decision to invite a candidate to apply for the NIV is made by the Department of Home Affairs. In other words, the nomination is a recommendation; the Department is not obliged to accept it.

Unlike the subclass 190 or 491 visa programs, there is no allocation or quota for NIV nominations at the state/territory level. This means nomination does not guarantee selection or invitation—it merely boosts the candidate's visibility and priority in the Home Affairs selection process.

Why Seek NSW Nomination?

A nomination from the NSW Government can offer significant benefits:

Priority processing: Nominated candidates receive Priority 2 processing by Home Affairs.
Prestige: NSW’s nomination process is rigorous, with expert review and the potential inclusion of additional endorsements from industry leaders.
Strategic support: NSW considers itself a long-term partner for nominated individuals, offering access to networks, industry contacts and development opportunities.

NSW Nomination Pathways

NSW nomination is available under five distinct pathways:

Researchers and Academics
Entrepreneurs
Innovative Investors
Sports Professionals
Creative Professionals

Each pathway includes specific assessment criteria. NSW does not use a points test. Instead, the assessment focuses on proven excellence, international recognition, and alignment with the state's strategic goals. The first step towards an NSW NIV nomination is submitting a Registration of Interest.

What Is a Registration of Interest (ROI)?

A Registration of Interest (ROI) is a formal step required by the NSW Government for candidates seeking its nomination for the National Innovation Visa. It is separate from the Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.

The ROI is a preliminary form available on the NSW Government website. It allows NSW to assess whether a candidate aligns with its NIV nomination criteria. It includes key details about the applicant’s background, pathway, achievements, and connection to NSW. No documents are uploaded at this stage, but all claims must be verifiable later.

Submitting an ROI is mandatory for NSW nomination. It is how NSW selects candidates to invite for a full nomination application. Importantly, the ROI is specific to NSW and is separate from the Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged with Home Affairs for the NIV visa.

In contrast, the EOI for the NIV is a requirement for the visa process and must be submitted through Home Affairs website. While a nomination improves an applicant’s position in the EOI pool, NSW cannot access or manage the EOI directly. Both forms serve different purposes and are submitted separately.

Submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI)

The Registration of Interest (ROI) signals a candidate’s intent to seek NSW nomination. It does not require uploading documents at this initial stage, but the form must include specific, verifiable details. Submissions must be accurate and complete. Once lodged, an ROI cannot be edited. NSW does not provide status updates on submitted ROIs, nor does it give feedback on unsuccessful ROIs. Only one ROI can be active at any time. Each ROI is valid for six months. If not invited within this period, the ROI expires, and a new one must be submitted.

What Information Is Captured in the ROI?

The Registration of Interest form collects information specific to each nomination pathway. While all applicants must provide general personal and professional details, additional questions are tailored to the sector selected.

All applicants are asked to provide:

Personal contact details and passport information
Current role and organisation
Summary of professional achievements
Annual salary, funding, or financial indicators
Primary skills and proposed contributions to NSW

Applicants must also outline:

Why NSW has been chosen as a base for their work
How their contribution will support NSW’s economic, cultural or community development
Any existing or planned partnerships with NSW-based businesses, institutions or organisations
A 3–5 year vision for growth and long-term impact in the state

Pathway-specific details include:

Researchers and Academics

Research grants secured
Academic qualifications and publication metrics
Keynotes, patents, and institutional rankings

Entrepreneurs

Business idea, innovation, and commercial potential
Market analysis, business plan and financial projections
Entrepreneurial history and current ventures
Funding sources, pitch deck
Details of recognised intellectual property

Innovative Investors

Investment history, deal stages and personal involvement
Strategic contributions to startup growth
Industry recognition or impact as an investor

Sports Professionals

Competition history, rankings, and coaching credentials
Recognition by official sporting bodies
Plans for contributing to NSW’s sports sector

Creative Professionals

Overview of artistic practice and notable works
Awards, residencies, or critical acclaim
Cultural impact and innovation
Collaborations, performances or exhibition invitations

Each section is designed to assess the applicant’s potential impact on NSW’s economy, community or cultural landscape. Candidates are expected to demonstrate credibility, relevance, and readiness to contribute locally.

Next Steps for Invited Candidates

Successful candidates receive an invitation email with a link to submit a full nomination application. At this stage, applicants must provide evidence for every claim they made in their ROI. This must be done within 21 days of receiving the invitation email.

All applicants must provide their passports and two references from credible senior professionals in the applicant’s field. The remainder of the supporting evidence depends on the pathway assigned to the application.

Examples of supporting evidence by pathway:

Researchers: CV with publications, research grants, NSW collaborations
Entrepreneurs: Pitch deck, proof of funding, capitalisation table
Investors: Deal documents, board involvement, NSW deal pipeline
Sports: Rankings, contracts with NSW clubs, letters from sporting bodies
Creatives: Portfolio, awards, NSW-based co-productions or invitations

NSW aims to assess full nomination applications within six weeks, though individual timeframes may vary depending on case complexity. Given the strict 21-day submission timeframe, candidates are encouraged to prepare their documents before submitting an ROI. If the nomination is approved, NSW will issue a signed Form 1000 and a letter of recommendation. These documents can then be included with the applicant’s Expression of Interest to the Department of Home Affairs.

Conclusion

The National Innovation Visa is one of Australia’s most selective skilled migration pathways. While NSW nominations offer strategic advantages for individuals with a record of exceptional achievement, they also introduce additional complexity.

The strict 21-day timeframe to submit a full nomination application adds significant time pressure, especially given the volume of evidence required.

Do you require assistance with a NIV application?

At Rysher Migration, we draw on extensive experience supporting high-calibre professionals and nominating entities across a range of sectors. We provide tailored guidance on the NSW NIV nomination process and the evidence required for each pathway.

Our advice helps individuals prepare strong, well-supported ROIs and full nomination applications, with an emphasis on compliance, accuracy and strategic positioning.

For more information please Contact Us or email elan@ryshermigration.com.au

Elan Rysher is a Registered Migration Agent and Qualified Student Counsellor. He is the main Writer for ImmiUpdates and the founder of Rysher Migration. Being a former migrant himself, Elan is passionate about helping others fulfil their Australian dream.

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