South Australia National Innovation SC858 Visa Nominations Open

South Australia has opened the state nomination program for the National Innovation Visa (NIV) (subclass 858) for high achieving researchers, entrepreneurs, investor and creative professionals.

Given that the NIV is an invitation-only permanent visa which require a nomination, eligible applicant’s interested in the NIV may consider being nominated by the South Australian government.

In order to be considered for a South Australian state nomination for the National Innovation Visa (NIV) applicants must be able to meet the guidelines under one of the nomination categories.

The South Australian government has provided the criteria and examples of what characteristics each category should possess and are listed below:

Global researchers and thought leaders

The South Australian government has provided the following examples of possible achievements:

• Received a national research grant in Australia or overseas.
• Undertaken recent keynote appearances at high-profile international conferences.
• Recognised intellectual property attributed to you, such as holding relevant international patents.
• Current earnings or a job offer in South Australia at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD).
• A PhD with high levels of academic influence or thought leaderships such as:
  • recent publications in top ranked journals in your academic field.
  • a high h-index[1] for your stage of career.
  • a research-based degree from a top global university, for example, a university ranked in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 

Entrepreneurs

Evidence that your entrepreneurial activities will lead to the:

• Commercialisation of a product or service in South Australia; OR
• Development of a business or enterprise that will significantly add value to the South Australian economy.

Applicants in this category must also be able to demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge, expertise or a track record in the target product or service and how this could be applied in the South Australian context.
• Commitment to launching an innovative business in South Australia, which has the potential to become a sustainable high-growth start-up & create jobs for South Australians.
• That the majority of the proposed project development, business assets and staff are or will be in South Australia.

The South Australian government has advised that no minimum investment threshold is required to be met for state nomination in the Entrepreneur category.

Innovative Investors

By demonstrating an established track record of:

• Supporting successful innovative ventures; OR
• Leading internationally reputed companies to their Initial Public Offering.

This category may also include investors who are investing into new and innovative ecosystems and can provide South Australian business with capital to introduce products to market and stimulate productivity growth in the state.

Investing into managed funds will only be considered on an exceptional basis and you must be able to demonstrate:

• The significant economic benefits your investments have delivered in South Australia to date; and
• Your future investment strategy in South Australia. 

There is no minimum investment threshold required to be considered for state nomination via the Innovative Investors category.

The following types of investment activities are not considered as ‘innovative’ for the purposes of state nomination for the NIV:

• Cafes and restaurants
• Consulting firms/companies
• Employment/labour hire agencies
• Franchises
• Purchase of existing enterprise
• Real Estate/rental management
• Retail.

Creative Talent

Due to the broad nature of this category, applicants in the creative talent category are required to demonstrate significant achievement in their own creative fields, with evidence of international level awards or achievements.

Other globally talented individuals

The South Australian government has also introduced another category which will enable the state government to consider nominations for any individual that doesn’t fit into the above listed categories. This allows the state flexibility to consider a broad range of internationally recognised high performers and achievers.