National Innovation Visa · ACT
Australian Capital Territory state nomination
Australian Capital Territory does not currently operate a state nomination program for the National Innovation Visa. Applicants based in or connected to ACT may still pursue the NIV through the federal pathway.
Program status
ACT Migration is currently considering the framework for ACT Government nomination under the National Innovation Visa program. The nomination process is not yet open and the ACT Government is not responding to expressions of interest. Applicants based in or connected to the ACT may still pursue the NIV through the federal pathway with a Form 1000 nominator of national reputation in their field, or in due course through ACT Government nomination once the framework is finalised.
The ACT NIV ecosystem
The ACT hosts the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Sport, Geoscience Australia, and a concentration of Commonwealth research agencies. Researchers and senior professionals based in the ACT often have access to internationally credible nominators with national reputation, including ANU professors, CSIRO chief research scientists, AIS coaches, and senior Commonwealth officials. Until ACT nomination is open, federal nomination remains the available route.
The federal NIV framework
The Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa is a federal program administered by the Department of Home Affairs. It replaced the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program from 7 December 2024. The visa is invitation-only. Applicants must lodge an Expression of Interest, receive an invitation, and lodge a complete visa application within 60 days.
Eligibility requires an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, continuing prominence in the applicant's field, and capacity to make a substantial contribution to Australia. The visa application stage requires nomination on Form 1000 by an Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation in the field.
State or territory government nomination at the EOI stage places the applicant in Priority 2. Tier One sector achievements (Critical Technologies; Health Industries; Renewables and Low Emission Technologies) place the applicant in Priority 3. International top-of-field awards place the applicant in Priority 1. Strategic positioning of the EOI within this framework materially affects invitation prospects.
Speak with an immigration lawyer about your NIV strategy
We assess your record of achievement against the priority framework, identify the strongest available priority position (state-nominated, federal Form 1000, or Tier One sector), and prepare the EOI and visa application to a litigation-ready standard.
Book a consultationOther NIV pathways for ACT-based applicants
State nomination is one of several routes to NIV invitation. Where Australian Capital Territory nomination is not available, the alternatives are federal Form 1000 nomination by an Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation, and Tier One sector achievement supporting a Priority 3 EOI without government nomination.
For applicants whose achievements meaningfully meet the NIV threshold, the right strategic question is which priority level the profile genuinely supports and which nominator best matches the field. Lodging speculatively at a low priority wastes the EOI; lodging at the strongest available priority is the strategic position.
Common questions
Does Australian Capital Territory nominate for the National Innovation Visa?
What is the ACT NIV ecosystem?
What is the alternative if ACT does not nominate?
What is Form 1000?
How does the priority framework work?
Can family be included?
Information current as at 30 April 2026. State and territory NIV nomination programs are revised through the program year. Confirm current settings at act.gov.au/migration and at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging an Expression of Interest.