What is the 858 visa success rate?
The 858 visa success rate has two different published measures:
- Invitations per EOI: on Home Affairs’ Current invitation round quarterly figures, about 9 invitations per 100 EOIs received over July 2025 to June 2026.
- Grant rate: Home Affairs’ Report on the Migration Program 2024–25 records Global Talent category grant rates between 98.2% and 99.5% in each program year from 2021–22 to 2024–25.
Neither measure is a personal chance of success. The invitation ratio compares different cohorts, while the category grant rate describes visa decisions rather than selection from the EOI pool.
To interpret these figures, first distinguish the invitation stage from the application stage for the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) in Australia. A high category grant rate does not remove the need to obtain an invitation.
858 EOIs and invitations by quarter
Home Affairs’ Current invitation round page says rounds run monthly but displays one three-month period at a time. Earlier rows below preserve archived copies of that same government page, with their capture dates.
| Quarter | EOIs received | Invitations | Priority 1 | Priority 2 | Priority 3 | Priority 4 | Home Affairs page date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July–September 2025 | 1,841 | 122 | <5 | 17 | 84 | 20 | Updated 7 October 2025; as published on 7 December 2025 (archived copy) |
| October–December 2025 | 2,368 | 226 | <5 | <10 | 166 | 52 | Updated 16 January 2026; as published on 17 January 2026 (archived copy) |
| January–March 2026 | 1,815 | 146 | 0 | 15 | 113 | 18 | Updated 15 April 2026; as published on 11 July 2026 (archived copy) |
| April–June 2026 | 2,166 | 248 | <5 | <20 | 192 | 38 | Updated 24 September 2026 (current page) |
| Four quarters (sums) | 8,190 | 742 | — | — | — | — | Computed from the four rows |
Reading the table:
- “<5”, “<10” and “<20” are how Home Affairs shows small counts. They are not converted into exact numbers here.
- All four quarters predate Direction No. 120, which took effect on 25 July 2026. The priority labels are the Department’s labels as published at the time, not a retrospective application of the current Direction.
- Home Affairs’ Current invitation round page says an invitation is not a pre-assessment.
This series starts in July 2025; earlier invitation figures have not been verified here. Home Affairs’ After submission guidance explains what happens after you submit an 858 EOI: it remains active for two years, with no progress updates.
858 invitations by priority group and sector
Home Affairs’ Current invitation round records show Priority 3 received the most invitations in every quarter: for example, 192 of 248 in April–June 2026.
The sector figures below come from the same dated government pages. Direction No. 120, section 8, identifies tier 1 and tier 2 as sector bands; they are not five interchangeable “tiers”.
| Sector | July–September 2025 | October–December 2025 | January–March 2026 | April–June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical technologies (tier 1) | 48 | 106 | 66 | 122 |
| Renewables and low emission technologies (tier 1) | 15 | 25 | 18 | 33 |
| Health industries (tier 1) | 30 | 36 | 34 | 45 |
| Agri-food and AgTech (tier 2) | <5 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| Education (tier 2) | <5 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Defence capabilities and space (tier 2) | 9 | 5 | <5 | 7 |
| Financial services and FinTech (tier 2) | <5 | 20 | 7 | 14 |
| Infrastructure and transport (tier 2) | <5 | 5 | <5 | <5 |
| Resources (tier 2) | <5 | 8 | <5 | <5 |
| Sports and the arts | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
For comparison, Administration of the Immigration Program, 16th edition (June 2026) records National Innovation visa primary lodgements, not invitations: Critical Technologies 31 and 107, Health industries 27 and 62, and Renewables and Low Emission Technologies 10 and 40, respectively, in 2024–25 and 2025–26 to 31 December 2025.
858 grant rates and lodgements by program year
Home Affairs’ Report on the Migration Program 2023–24 and 2024–25 report record the following Global Talent category figures.
| Program year | Global Talent category lodgements | Program outcome (places) | Grant rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 9,582 | 9,584 | Not given in the source table |
| 2021–22 | 8,698 | 8,776 | 99.0% |
| 2022–23 | 7,159 | 5,000 | 99.5% |
| 2023–24 | 6,228 | 5,000 | 98.6% |
| 2024–25 | 2,331 | 4,000 | 98.2% |
The 2024–25 report includes National Innovation visa outcomes from 6 December 2024; those grants are not published separately. Of the 4,000 places, 834 were granted in Australia and 3,166 outside Australia. There were 3,229 applications on hand at 30 June 2025.
National Innovation visa lodgements: Administration of the Immigration Program, 16th edition records 281 in 2024–25 from 6 December 2024 (93 primary, 188 secondary) and 767 in 2025–26 to 31 December 2025 (278 primary, 489 secondary). These are application counts, not grants.
Distinguished Talent category: the 2024–25 Migration Program report records lodgements of 336, 400, 602 and 484, and outcomes of 225, 300, 300 and 300, from 2021–22 to 2024–25 respectively. Its 2024–25 grant rate was 90.1%, with 1,019 applications on hand at 30 June 2025.
Lodgements and places in one year are not the same applications. Do not divide that year’s places by its lodgements to calculate a grant rate.
How many 858 places are there each year?
The 858 places sit within broader categories. Home Affairs’ Migration Program planning levels, updated 21 September 2026, should be read alongside the June 2026 Administration of the Immigration Program paper and annual outcome reports.
| Program year | Places | What the figure covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | 3,500 | Talent and Innovation, including 20 Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) places; announced 12 May 2026 |
| 2025–26 | 5,300 | Planning page adjusted to include National Innovation, Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and BIIP; June 2026 Administration paper shows 4,300 Talent and Innovation plus 1,000 BIIP |
| 2024–25 | 5,300 | Global Talent 4,000; Distinguished Talent 300; BIIP 1,000; outcome delivered exactly |
| 2023–24 | — | Global Talent 5,000; Distinguished Talent 300; BIIP 1,900; planning equalled outcome |
| 2022–23 | — | Global Talent 5,000; Distinguished Talent 300; BIIP 5,000; planning equalled outcome |
Places include primary and secondary applicants, as explained in the Report on the Migration Program 2024–25.
The planning page does not identify a National Innovation visa-only allocation. On the Department’s figures, at most about 3,480 of the 2026–27 places are left for the 858—new National Innovation visas plus on-hand Global Talent and Distinguished Talent applications—once the 20 BIIP places are set aside. This is a calculated ceiling, not a separate allocation.
Home Affairs’ Migration Program planning levels page says the category was reduced to focus on internationally recognised exceptional achievement.
How hard is it to get an 858 visa?
The 858 visa is hard to get because the achievement criterion is set high and selection happens before anyone applies.
The Migration Regulations 1994, clause 858.212(2)(a), require an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement. Direction No. 120, section 5(5), asks the decision-maker to be satisfied the applicant is “significantly high-calibre” and able to make “outsized contributions”. Home Affairs’ Subclass 858 National Innovation visa page describes “superior abilities and achievements to others in your area”, and its National Innovation visa program page requires an invitation before application.
Home Affairs’ quarterly figures total 742 invitations against 8,190 EOIs over July 2025 to June 2026. Its planning page shows broader category places falling from 5,300 in 2024–25 to 3,500 in 2026–27, including 20 BIIP places.
Reading the figures: they suggest much of the narrowing occurs at invitation selection. The high grant rate describes applications after that selection, not everyone who expressed interest. This interpretation does not predict an individual result.
Is the 858 refusal rate published?
No. A separate 858 refusal figure is not published in the cited Migration Program reports. The nearest figure is the Global Talent category’s 98.2% grant rate in 2024–25, including National Innovation visa outcomes; the Distinguished Talent category’s grant rate was 90.1%.
An application is refused if the required criteria are not met. Home Affairs’ Subclass 858 National Innovation visa page explains that the refusal notice gives reasons and states whether review is available; the application charge is not refunded.
What makes an 858 EOI competitive?
Your priority group. Under Direction No. 120, section 8, Priority 1 covers global experts with top-of-field international awards in Schedule A; Priority 2 covers expert Australian Government or State/Territory agency nominations; Priority 3 covers tier 1 sectors; Priority 4 covers tier 2 sectors; Priority 5 covers all others. Home Affairs’ Priorities page applies the order to invitations too. Check the relevant 858 priority group.
Evidence addressing the indicators. Direction No. 120, section 9(3), includes national research grants, a PhD with high-influence publications or a high h-index for career stage, recent international keynotes, international patents and earnings at or above the high income threshold. These are indicators, not a checklist or a standalone salary criterion.
Additional agency-nomination evidence. Agency-nominated candidates have extra indicators under Direction No. 120, section 9(4), including recognised sports or arts awards and innovative business or entrepreneurial activity.
A complete first submission. Home Affairs’ EOI submission guidance says nothing is added after submission; its EOI form calls for a typed achievement summary read without attachments.
Earnings limited to your achievement area. Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa EOI form asks for earnings in that area only, with evidence required if invited.
Achievements that match the invitation. Home Affairs’ After submission guidance and clause 858.212(3) of the Migration Regulations 1994 require the application to prove the achievements stated in the invitation.
Historically, Home Affairs’ April–June 2026 round recorded 192 of 248 invitations in Priority 3. That quarter predates Direction 120.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get a Global Talent visa in Australia?
The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 renamed subclass 858 on 6 December 2024. On Home Affairs’ quarterly figures, there were about 9 invitations per 100 EOIs received in July 2025–June 2026; its Migration Program report records a 98.2% category grant rate in 2024–25. They measure different stages.
What is the rejection rate for the Global Talent visa in Australia?
It is not published as a separate rejection rate. The 2024–25 Migration Program report gives a 98.2% Global Talent category grant rate, including National Innovation visa outcomes, without separate National Innovation grants.
Can a Global Talent (858) visa be rejected?
Yes. Required criteria must be met. Home Affairs’ Subclass 858 National Innovation visa page explains refusal reasons and confirms the charge is not refunded.
Does an invitation mean the 858 will be granted?
No. Home Affairs’ Current invitation round page says an invitation is not a pre-assessment; each application is assessed on its merits.
Are the EOIs in a quarter the people invited that quarter?
No. Home Affairs’ quarterly totals cover different cohorts. Their ratio is not a success rate.
Why did Global Talent (858) places fall from 9,584 to 4,000?
Home Affairs’ Migration Program reports record outcomes following planning levels: 5,000 in 2022–23 and 2023–24, then 4,000 in 2024–25, delivered exactly. Its planning page sets the whole Talent and Innovation category at 3,500 for 2026–27, including 20 BIIP places.
If your 858 EOI is not invited or the visa is refused
Not invited means no invitation to apply has been issued; it is not a visa refusal. Home Affairs’ After submission guidance says the EOI lasts two years, receives no progress updates and ends with an expiry email. Submit a replacement only after a significant change or new achievement claims, and withdraw the old EOI by emailing the Department before lodging the new one.
Refused means a visa application has received an adverse decision. Home Affairs’ Subclass 858 National Innovation visa page says the notice explains reasons and review availability. If you receive an 858 visa refused notice, have the notice and any applicable review deadline checked promptly.
Ask an Australian migration lawyer to review the EOI’s typed achievement summary and Direction 120 priority evidence before submission; the Department’s historical invitation count does not predict an individual result.
Considering an EOI evidence review? The site enquiry form accepts questions addressed to Australian Migration Lawyers. A reference appears only after the email send is accepted and its status recorded.