Visa Summary
The Business Talent (Permanent) Visa allows you to establish a new or develop an existing business in Australia.. The Business Talent visa is part of the Australian Business Innovation and Investment Program, which seeks to expand the country’s economy. This visa is available by invitation only. Before being invited to apply, you must first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
Business Talent (Migrant) visas are permanent visas available to applicants in two streams:
- The Significant Business History stream relevant for affluent owners or part owners of a business who want to have a major management role in a new or existing business in Australia.
- The Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream is applicable for the people who have obtained at least AUD1 million in funding from from a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL).
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Your Expression of Interest must specify whether you are interested in the Significant Business History stream or the Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream. You must also indicate whether you are interested in just one or all states and territories. No supporting documentation is required at this time. When your Expression of Interest is in SkillSelect, it can be viewed and a state or territory can decide whether to nominate you to apply for a visa. States and territories have their own criteria for deciding who they nominate. In most cases, and before you are nominated, the relevant state or territory may contact you to discuss business possibilities. You may also contact your preferred state or territory you have indicated in the Expression of Interest.
Nomination Process:
Each State and Territory Government has its own list of suitability criteria . There may be specific requirements in relation to your business history, English language ability or specialised expertise in certain areas of business.
All applicants have to submit an expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. SkillSelect will estimate a points score; if you score high enough, Australian state or territory government agencies will be able to view your EOI and decide if they want to nominate you.
If you are nominated by a state or territory agency, you will be invited to apply for the visa. If you are invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa.
You can only lodge a visa application after having received a nominated by a state or territory and an invitation from the Australian Government.
New Zealand Passport Holders
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at our border, we recommend you tell them:
- you have a Business Talent (permanent) visa (subclass 132)
- you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
If you do not tell them, you might be granted the 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa might affect your eligibility for Australian citizenship.
Significant Business History Stream:
This visa is for experienced business owners, to operate a new or existing business in Australia. You can include your members of the family unit in this visa application.
After entering Australia, you must:
- establish a business in Australia, or
- participate in an existing qualifying business in Australia
Your business must do at least one of these things:
- develop business links with international markets
- employ people in Australia
- export Australian goods
- produce goods or services that would otherwise be imported
- introduce new or improved technology
- add to commercial activity and competitiveness within the Australian economy
In operating your business, you must:
- maintain substantial ownership
- maintain direct and continuous involvement in the day-to-day management of the business
- make decisions that affect the overall direction and performance of the business in a way that benefits the Australian economy
After you have begun operating a business in Australia, we will ask you to fill out Form 1010 Survey of Business Skills visa holders (257KB PDF).
During your first 3 years in Australia, we will monitor your business activities to make sure you are meeting these requirements.
Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream:
This visa is for people who have sourced venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL). The visa lets you operate a new or existing business in Australia. You can stay permanently in Australia under this category.
This stream requires you to have business acumen and ambition and you must have a genuine and realistic commitment to:
- engage in your business
- maintain an ownership interest in your business or investment
You must have:
- received at least AUD1 million in funding for a high-value business idea
- a formal agreement with an Australian venture capital firm for the funding
You must follow the terms of your venture capital agreement after you enter Australia.
The venture capital firm must be a member of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL) Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL). The category of membership must be that of Venture Capital Membership.
Funding must be for:
- business development
- product commercialisation
- start-up costs
In order to determine your eligibility about the visa pathway, you may need to satisfy certain requirements which may include but not limited to
- You must have demonstrated business skills/knowledge/history to undertake the activities to be carried out in Australia
- You must meet the funding/asset requirements
- You must meet our health requirements
- Meet English proficiency requirements or pay second instalment of visa application charge (VAC)
- You must meet character requirements
- Must not have your previous visa cancelled or refused
Our experience counsellors can advise you about the eligibility of your proposed visa pathway and create a strategy to gain the best possible outcome.