Does NSW nominate for the 858 visa?
Yes, NSW nominates for the 858 visa through five pathways, and as at 3 October 2026 its guide carries a live link to register interest. The NSW Government National Innovation visa page describes the program.
Under Direction 120, section 8(2)(b), an NSW agency nomination on approved Form 1000 places your EOI in Priority 2. NSW’s common questions and Home Affairs’ NIV page distinguish nomination from the Department’s invitation and visa decisions: neither is guaranteed.
Compare the routes in 858 state nomination by state and territory.
The five NSW 858 nomination pathways
The five NSW 858 nomination pathways are researchers and academics, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, sports professionals and creative professionals, according to NSW Government’s pathway pages.
Researchers: NSW’s researcher and academic page focuses on grants, patents, publications, project leadership and collaboration with NSW institutions.
Entrepreneurs: NSW’s entrepreneur page seeks a demonstrated business-building record and NSW venture plan, rather than a published dollar threshold. See where the 858 fits for founders for the visa context.
Investors: NSW’s innovative-investor page seeks active involvement and a NSW deployment plan; no dollar threshold is published. Separately, Part 858 of the Migration Regulations 1994 lists no investment, turnover or business-ownership criterion.
Sports: NSW’s sports-professional page covers athletes, coaches and specialists performing at the highest level.
Creative: NSW’s creative-professional page focuses on major recognition, global venues and planned contributions to NSW’s creative industries.
How to register interest for NSW 858 nomination
To register interest for NSW 858 nomination you complete one detailed online ROI form, with no documents uploaded at this stage, according to NSW’s guide to registering your interest.
An Australian migration lawyer can check your ROI answers against the NSW pathways before you lodge it.
- Pick your pathway from NSW’s five categories.
- Complete the ROI: personal details; any representative; role, employer and annual salary or financial standing; pathway achievements; why NSW and your expected impact. An NSW job offer and engagement with an NSW agency are optional.
- Submit carefully: NSW permits one active ROI, valid for six months, with no edits or additions.
- Wait: NSW’s guide says shortlisted candidates are invited to submit a full application.
The invited NSW 858 application: 21 days and documents
The invited NSW 858 application must be lodged within 21 days of receiving the link, and NSW does not reissue the link, according to its common questions.
NSW’s guide to supporting documents requires:
- Your passport bio page.
- Two references or letters of support.
- Documents supporting your pathway.
- A certified translation of every non-English document.
The Home Affairs National Innovation visa (subclass 858) page accepts NAATI-accredited translators in Australia; translators outside Australia provide their name, contact details and qualifications. NSW’s guide asks for certified translations, so prepare nomination documents to NSW’s stated standard.
Do you need to live in NSW for 858 nomination?
No, you do not need to live in NSW for 858 nomination, but NSW expects you to show reasons and connections you have already built there, according to its common questions.
NSW’s common questions call nomination “one of the final” steps: genuine ties, credible plans and relationships matter. For applicants considering Sydney, explain those connections rather than relying on a preferred destination.
These nomination expectations are distinct from visa conditions: Part 858 of the Migration Regulations 1994 does not impose a state-residence condition.
NSW 858 nomination: fee, timing and expert review
NSW 858 nomination has no fee for the ROI or the application, an aim of assessing most complete applications within six weeks, and a review by domain experts, according to NSW Government’s common questions and NIV page.
- Fee: none, under NSW’s common questions, modified on 23 March 2026.
- Timing: the six-week assessment aim is not a guarantee.
- Expert review: NSW’s NIV page says review may include an endorsement from a recognised leader in your field; it publishes no further detail about that review.
South Australia’s government NIV and application pages also specify no fee and a panel interview, but publish no processing time as at 3 October 2026; compare South Australia's five 858 nomination categories.
If NSW does not invite you: re-applying
If NSW does not invite you, re-applying starts from the expiry of your ROI: an ROI that is not invited expires after six months, and you may lodge a new one six months from the date of NSW's expiry email, under its NIV page and common questions.
This is the NSW ROI, not the Home Affairs EOI. Taken together, NSW’s validity, no-edit and waiting rules mean an uninvited ROI can leave roughly a year between submissions: six months active, then six months from the expiry email.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee for NSW National Innovation visa nomination?
No. NSW’s common questions say there is no charge for the ROI or nomination application.
How long does NSW take to decide?
NSW’s common questions give an aim of six weeks for most complete applications, not a guaranteed deadline.
Can I change my NSW ROI after submitting it?
No. NSW’s NIV page and common questions permit only one active ROI and no edits or additions.
Is NSW nomination the same as an endorsement?
No. NSW’s common questions describe nomination through a delegate-signed Form 1000 and recommendation letter. Its NIV page uses “endorsement” for optional support from a recognised leader during expert review.
Who is eligible for the National Innovation visa through NSW?
Applicants must match an NSW pathway and demonstrate genuine connections; residence is not required. The Migration Regulations 1994, clause 858.212, separately require an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.
After NSW nominates you: the 858 EOI
After NSW nominates you, the 858 EOI carries NSW's signed Form 1000 and letter of recommendation to Home Affairs, as described in NSW’s common questions and Home Affairs’ EOI submission page.
- Receive the signed documents: NSW’s common questions explain the delegate’s signature and recommendation letter.
- Attach both to your National Innovation visa EOI, using Home Affairs’ online departmental form. As checked on 3 October 2026, its form and submission pages show no payment step or EOI fee.
- Check before submitting: Home Affairs’ EOI submission page says nothing can be added afterwards.
- Await Home Affairs’ decision: its after-submission page applies Direction 120’s priority order; qualifying agency nominations are Priority 2.
- If invited, lodge your application for the 858 visa within Home Affairs’ 60-day window, with no extension. Attach Form 1000 again: Migration Regulations 1994, item 1113(3)(d) requires it with the visa application.
After grant, NSW’s NIV page says it stays connected; it publishes no residence or reporting condition.
Ask an Australian migration lawyer to check the NSW ROI and Home Affairs EOI before submission and diarise the 21-day NSW application window.