A New Chapter for the NIV
The National Innovation Visa (NIV) was designed as an invitation-only pathway for global talent. But in 2025, the story shifted: state and territory governments stepped into the driver’s seat. For the first time, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales began nominating candidates, adding a powerful new dimension to how invitations are secured.
For high-calibre professionals and entrepreneurs, this change is more than procedural. It redefines the competition—and the opportunity.
Why States Matter
Traditionally, nominations came from individuals or organisations with national reputations. Now, states can decide who they believe will best serve their economic future. This creates a two-layered filter: the Department of Home Affairs still controls the final outcome, but states can shape who gets noticed first.
This shift matters because:
- It adds credibility—a state-backed nomination signals confidence in your impact.
- It can mean faster invitations, especially under Ministerial Direction 112 priorities.
- It highlights local commitment—demonstrating not only global recognition, but also relevance to Australia’s state-level priorities.
How Each State Plays the Game
South Australia (SA)
- Focus: tangible local benefit.
- Criteria: national research grants, strong h-index PhDs, recognised IP, or entrepreneurs scaling high-growth start-ups that create SA jobs.
- Distinctive angle: applicants must show how their achievements directly translate into South Australian impact.
Victoria
- Focus: engagement with government.
- Criteria: applicants must be referred by a Victorian Government department or agency after demonstrating how their expertise transfers to Victoria’s innovation agenda.
- Distinctive angle: relationships matter. Without agency engagement, nomination is unlikely.
New South Wales (NSW)
- Focus: rigour and proven records.
- Criteria: strong track record in research, entrepreneurship, investment, sports, or the creative industries—not just potential.
- Distinctive angle: NSW rewards those who can show established results and measurable impact.
The Opportunities—and the Hurdles
For candidates, state nominations create new pathways but also new expectations.
- Opportunities: Anchoring your achievements to a state’s economic priorities can fast-track invitations and strengthen your case.
- Hurdles: Processes vary in transparency. SA has a clear ROI system, NSW is deliberately rigorous, while Victoria leaves applicants navigating relationships with government agencies.
How to Position Yourself for Success
- Do your homework. Study each state’s strategic priorities before submitting an ROI or EOI.
- Localise your impact. Frame your achievements as solutions to that state’s challenges.
- Build networks. Especially in Victoria, cultivating ties with relevant government agencies is critical.
- Prove substance. Evidence matters: grants, patents, commercialisation, publications, or investment track records.
Stay flexible. If one state’s pathway is closed or misaligned, explore others—or fall back on national nomination routes.
Final Word
State nominations have turned the National Innovation Visa into a more dynamic, competitive, and locally focused program. For the right applicant, they are not a barrier but an accelerant: the chance to demonstrate not only global recognition, but a concrete plan to help a state—and Australia—thrive.