A comprehensive guide for exceptional global talent seeking Priority 2 status in Australia
Published: May 2026 | Audience: Global talent, researchers, entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes
Which State Governments Have a Process to Nominate NIV Candidates – and How Do You Get Them to Nominate You?
If you are planning to apply for the National Innovation Visa (NIV) – Australia’s permanent visa for individuals with internationally recognised achievement – one of the most strategic moves you can make is securing a state or territory government nomination. It is not a requirement to have one before lodging your Expression of Interest (EOI), but getting it right can mean the difference between waiting years for an invitation, and receiving one within months.
Under the Department of Home Affairs’ priority framework, candidates nominated by an expert Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency are assessed under Priority 2 – sitting ahead of most other applicants. Only individuals who hold top-of-field international awards, such as Nobel or Pulitzer prizes, are assessed ahead of Priority 2 candidates. For everyone else, state nomination is the most practical lever available.
This guide explains which states have released their nomination processes, what each program looks for, and – critically – how to position yourself to actually secure that nomination.
Why State Nomination Matters
The NIV invitation process is competitive and merit-based. The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations in periodic rounds, drawing from an Expression of Interest pool. As of early 2026, total EOIs on hand exceed 6,400, while invitation rounds typically deliver between 70 and 130 offers per round.
Where you sit in the priority queue has a direct bearing on how quickly you receive an invitation. Without state nomination or a top-of-field award, most applicants fall into Priority 3 (exceptional achievement in a Tier 1 sector) or Priority 4 (all other eligible candidates).
State nomination also solves a related practical problem. Every NIV applicant must provide a completed Form 1000 – a nomination form from an Australian citizen, permanent resident or organisation with national reputation in their field – before their visa application can be lodged. When you receive a state government nomination, the relevant agency completes this form as part of the process, removing the burden of independently sourcing a nominator in the compressed 60-day window you have to lodge your application after receiving an invitation.
States and Territories at a Glance (May 2026)
| State/Territory | Status | Entry Point |
| New South Wales (NSW) | OPEN | Registration of Interest (ROI) via nsw.gov.au |
| Victoria (VIC) | OPEN | Engagement with relevant VIC Government agency/department |
| South Australia (SA) | OPEN | Registration of Interest (ROI) via migration.sa.gov.au |
| Queensland (QLD) | OPEN | Registration of Interest (ROI) via tiq.qld.gov.au |
| Tasmania (TAS) | OPEN | Contact Migration Tasmania – [email protected] |
| Western Australia (WA) | NOT YET OPEN | No process published as at May 2026 |
| ACT | NOT YET OPEN | ACT has stated its process is not yet operational |
| Northern Territory (NT) | NOT YET OPEN | No process published as at May 2026 |
New South Wales – Five Structured Pathways
NSW has the most formally structured nomination program of any state, with five clearly defined talent streams. The NSW Government describes its process as deliberately rigorous, with each application reviewed holistically by domain experts – and in many cases involving an independent endorsement from a recognised leader in the relevant field.
The five pathways are:
- Researchers and Academics – individuals with a proven track record of original, impactful research relevant to NSW’s current or future economic or social needs.
- Entrepreneurs – founders and innovators building or scaling ventures in NSW’s innovation ecosystem, with demonstrable commercial traction.
- Innovative Investors – individuals deploying capital strategically in NSW’s startup or innovation sectors, not merely passive investors.
- Sports Professionals – elite athletes or coaches whose work would elevate Australia’s sporting reputation at an international level.
- Creative Professionals – individuals whose creative output has achieved significant international recognition and cultural impact.
To apply for NSW nomination, you must:
- Review your eligibility against the specific pathway criteria published on nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/niv.
- Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). This is a detailed, non-amendable form – prepare it carefully. It is valid for six months.
- If shortlisted, you will be invited to submit a full nomination application with supporting evidence.
- NSW will seek independent third-party expert endorsement of your claimed achievements before proceeding.
- Successful candidates receive a signed Form 1000 and a formal endorsement letter from the NSW Government.
Victoria – Referral-Based Agency Model
Victoria takes a different approach to NSW and South Australia. Rather than running an open ROI portal, the Victorian model requires you to first establish a genuine working relationship with a Victorian Government department or agency that has expertise in your field. That agency then formally refers you to Migration Victoria, which assesses your profile and, if satisfied, completes the nomination.
This model suits candidates who are already engaged in projects, research collaborations, or commercial activities with Victorian entities. Fields of interest to the Victorian Government include research, innovation, entrepreneurship, the arts, and sport – but the referral process means you need a genuine on-the-ground connection, not just an interest in moving to Victoria.
Key requirements include:
- An internationally recognised, exceptional record of achievement in your field.
- Active engagement with a Victorian Government department or agency, with a demonstrated project or activity plan showing benefit to Victoria.
- A formal referral from that department or agency to Migration Victoria.
- A genuine commitment to live in and contribute to Victoria.
- Age under 55 (though compelling cases for those over 55 may be considered).
Candidates interested in Victoria who do not yet have an agency relationship should consider reaching out to bodies such as Invest Victoria (for investors and entrepreneurs), Locate Victoria (for professionals and researchers), or Arts Victoria (for creatives). Making contact early – and demonstrating a clear plan for your contribution to the state – is the foundation of the Victorian pathway.
South Australia – Open ROI with Five Categories
South Australia was one of the first states to open its NIV nomination process, and it remains among the most accessible. The ‘Move to South Australia’ program accepts Registrations of Interest on an ongoing basis through its online Application Portal.
SA has five nomination categories:
- Researchers and Academics
- Entrepreneurs and Business Innovators
- Innovative Investors
- Sports Professionals
- Creative Professionals
There is no minimum investment threshold for the entrepreneur or investor categories, which makes South Australia an attractive option for candidates whose profile does not involve large capital deployment. The focus is on demonstrating clear economic benefit and innovation contribution to the state.
The SA process involves:
- Review the nomination categories on migration.sa.gov.au and prepare your documentation using the NIV ROI Document Checklist.
- Submit your ROI through the SA Application Portal, including evidence of identity, qualifications, and employment references.
- If progressed, you will be invited to an interview with an SA assessment panel.
- Successful candidates receive a completed Form 1000 and a business case letter from the SA Government.
Queensland – Open with TIQ as Lead Agency
Queensland’s NIV nomination program is now open, with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) acting as the primary gateway. TIQ operates a dedicated global business network across 21 locations in 16 countries, which reflects the international orientation of its approach to attracting talent.
Queensland’s program welcomes candidates who are building transformative technologies, scaling high-growth ventures, advancing scientific breakthroughs, or achieving at the highest level in sport. A notable feature of the Queensland program is that it has adopted a financial viability indicator: candidates should be able to demonstrate an ability to earn at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold, which for 2025-26 is AUD 183,100 per year.
The entry point is a Registration of Interest through tiq.qld.gov.au, and the process broadly mirrors those of NSW and SA – ROI submission, shortlisting, full application with detailed evidence, and ultimately a Form 1000 from the Queensland Government if successful.
Tasmania – Relationship-Based Referral Process
Tasmania’s model shares more in common with Victoria than with NSW, SA or Queensland. Rather than running an open portal, Migration Tasmania works through referrals from Tasmanian Government departments, the University of Tasmania, its associated research institutes, and Tasmanian businesses with established government relationships.
If you are a candidate who already has – or can develop – a connection with a Tasmanian institution, the process is as follows: the referring organisation completes a brief business case outlining your international achievement, the benefit you would bring to Tasmania, and your proposed activities in the state. Migration Tasmania reviews the referral, provides guidance on suitability, and if satisfied, works with the organisation to complete the Form 1000 application.
Individuals who do not currently have a Tasmanian institutional connection but believe they have an exceptional profile may contact Migration Tasmania directly at [email protected] to discuss their situation. In some cases, Migration Tasmania may be able to nominate on behalf of the Department of State Growth.
Western Australia, ACT, and Northern Territory – Not Yet Open
As of May 2026, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory have not published NIV nomination processes. The ACT has explicitly confirmed that its program is not yet operational. Candidates interested in these jurisdictions should monitor official state migration websites for announcements.
How to Get a State Government to Nominate You: Practical Strategy
Understanding the processes described above is only the first step. The more important question is how to build a case that a state government agency will want to support. Here is what that looks like in practice.
1. Lead with the State’s Interest, Not Your Own
State governments are not in the business of issuing nominations as a favour. They are looking for individuals whose presence and activity will generate measurable benefit for their state – whether through job creation, research commercialisation, investment into local ecosystems, or cultural and sporting contribution. Your application should be framed around what you will do for the state, not what the visa means for you.
2. Build Your Evidence Around Internationally Recognised Achievements
Every state program anchors its criteria in the Department of Home Affairs’ standard: ‘exceptional and outstanding achievement.’ That means peer-reviewed publications with significant citation counts, major international awards, large-scale commercial exits, patents with demonstrated commercial application, Olympic or World Championship results, or equivalent evidence. Early-career promise without a track record rarely succeeds.
3. Establish Real Links with the State Before Applying
In Victoria and Tasmania especially, and increasingly in other states as programs mature, agencies favour candidates who have demonstrated genuine engagement with the state’s ecosystem. This might mean an existing research collaboration with a local university, a commercial partnership with an Australian company, or a conference keynote that brought your expertise into contact with state-based industry. If you do not yet have these links, investing time in building them before submitting an ROI materially improves your chances.
4. Get Your Documentation Right Before You Submit
ROI processes in NSW, SA and Queensland are not iterative – you submit once, and amendments are generally not possible. Preparation should include assembling a full evidence dossier before you touch the form: awards documentation, publication records, citation metrics, reference letters from internationally credible supporters, proof of commercial outcomes, and a clear narrative of your intended contribution to the state. The 21-day window from invitation to full application submission in some programs (such as SA) means there is little room to gather evidence after you have been shortlisted.
5. Align Your Profile with Priority Sectors
While state programs accept candidates from across all eligible NIV fields, aligning your application with Tier 1 priority sectors – Critical Technologies, Health Industries, and Renewables and Low Emission Technologies – strengthens your position at both the state nomination level and subsequently with the Department of Home Affairs. Freedom of Information data shows that the largest share of NIV invitations issued to date have gone to candidates in Critical Technologies and Health Industries.
6. Consider Professional Assistance
The NIV ecosystem is still maturing. Programs have changed frequently since the visa launched in December 2024, and state-specific criteria have evolved with little advance notice. Engaging a Registered Migration Agent with active NIV experience – particularly one who has handled cases in your target state – provides both procedural accuracy and strategic advantage in framing your application compellingly.
FAQs
Do I need a state government nomination to apply for the National Innovation Visa?
No. State government nomination is not a requirement to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the NIV. However, securing one is highly advantageous because it places your EOI in Priority 2 – significantly ahead of most other applicants in the queue. Candidates without a state nomination or a top-of-field international award typically fall into Priority 3 or 4, where wait times for an invitation can be long. You do need a nominator (Form 1000) to lodge the actual visa application if invited, and state nomination resolves that requirement simultaneously.
Which Australian states currently have an open NIV nomination process?
As of May 2026, five states and territories have active NIV nomination programs: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. NSW, SA, and Queensland operate through online Registration of Interest (ROI) portals. Victoria and Tasmania use a referral-based model, where candidates must establish a relationship with a relevant government agency or institution before a formal nomination can proceed. Western Australia, the ACT, and the Northern Territory have not yet opened nomination processes, with the ACT explicitly confirming its program is not operational.
What is the difference between an ROI (Registration of Interest) and an EOI (Expression of Interest)?
These are two separate steps in two different processes.
The ROI is submitted to the relevant state or territory government as the first step in applying for state nomination. It is a pre-screening mechanism through which the state assesses whether you are a suitable candidate for their nomination program. If successful, the state issues you a completed Form 1000 and a supporting letter.
The EOI, on the other hand, is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs and initiates your formal application for the NIV itself. The state nomination documentation is attached to your EOI to support your Priority 2 claim. Some states – such as NSW – give shortlisted ROI applicants as few as 21 days to submit a full nomination application, so preparing your evidence in advance of lodging the ROI is important.
If I am nominated by a state government, does that guarantee I will receive an NIV invitation?
No. State nomination provides Priority 2 status in the EOI queue, which significantly improves your chances of receiving an invitation and typically accelerates the timeline. However, the decision to issue an invitation rests entirely with the Department of Home Affairs, which assesses EOIs based on the overall calibre of achievements, sector alignment, and available places within the migration programme allocation. The NIV has no state-specific quotas, so a nomination does not reserve a place for you. Similarly, receiving an invitation does not guarantee a visa grant – the full visa application must still demonstrate all eligibility criteria to the Department’s satisfaction.
I am interested in Victoria but do not have any existing contact with a Victorian Government agency. How do I begin?
Victoria’s model requires you to first engage with a Victorian Government department or agency in your field before a formal nomination can be pursued.
If you do not yet have an existing relationship, the recommended approach is to proactively reach out to the relevant body for your sector: Invest Victoria for entrepreneurs and investors, the relevant research division of a Victorian university for academics, or Arts Victoria for creatives.
You should be prepared to present a clear project plan outlining how your expertise and activities will benefit Victoria. Establishing a genuine working relationship – even in its early stages – before approaching Migration Victoria for nomination demonstrates the authentic commitment to the state that the program requires.
We can assess your profile and assist in identifying the right agency contact and framing the approach professionally.
Can I apply to more than one state for NIV nomination at the same time?
There is no published rule preventing applications to multiple states simultaneously, and given the competitive nature of the NIV program, many advisers recommend pursuing more than one option where your profile is genuinely suited to multiple jurisdictions.
That said, each application requires a tailored case for why you will contribute to that specific state, and a generic application is unlikely to succeed. If nominated by more than one state, you would submit the documentation from your preferred jurisdiction in your EOI.
It is also worth noting that while the NIV does not legally require you to settle in the nominating state, having a genuine and credible plan to live and contribute there is a material part of the assessment criteria in most state programs.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Immigration law and policy change frequently. Readers should verify all current program details with the relevant state government website or consult us before taking any action. Information is current as at May 2026.