For the best in your field:the permanent visathat asks for anational reputation.
The subclass 858 National Innovation visa replaced the Global Talent visa on 6 December 2024. It is permanent residence, granted by invitation, for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in a priority sector, sport, the arts or academia. An elite coach, a sports scientist, a principal dancer or a leading researcher, backed by a nominator of national standing, is who it is built for.
Government charges, subclass 858
- Visa application charge, main applicant$6,235
- Each adult dependant$3,120
- Each child under 18$1,560
As at 1 July 2026. An additional charge applies to any applicant aged 18 or over without functional English, payable before grant. No sponsorship or nomination fee. Our professional fee is fixed and quoted in writing.
Permanent residence by invitation for people of international standing.
The subclass 858 National Innovation visa is a permanent visa, by invitation, for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a priority sector, sport, the arts or academic research, who are nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in that field. It replaced the Global Talent visa on 6 December 2024 and the main applicant charge is $6,235.
Verified as at 1 July 2026 against the Department of Home Affairs subclass 858 page and Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
Do I qualify? A 30-second check
Answer the questions to see where you stand.
A guide only, not legal advice. The consultation is where the real answer comes from.
Four fields, one standard: internationally recognised achievement.
The Department invites in priority order and the strongest records go first. The question is never whether you are good; it is whether the evidence shows you are among the best.
Australia's major events to 2032
- 01
Priority sectors
Fields the government has identified as national priorities, including critical technologies, health, renewable and low-emissions energy, defence, advanced manufacturing, agrifood, resources, infrastructure, education, financial services and the digital economy. Founders and researchers with a record in those sectors fit here.
- 02
Sport
Athletes, coaches, high performance directors, sports scientists and officials with results or roles at international level. Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and top professional league records are the usual evidence.
- 03
The arts
Performers, artists, directors, designers and creative leaders with international recognition: major awards, principal roles with leading companies, exhibitions at major institutions, critical acclaim.
- 04
Academia and research
Researchers with an international profile: senior roles, high-impact publications, competitive grants, prizes and invitations to lead. Emerging researchers are usually better served by the 482 or 186 until the record matures.
Seven requirements, each proved with documents.
These are the criteria in the Regulations, stated plainly. The nominator and the record carry most of the weight.
- 01
An internationally recognised record
Exceptional and outstanding achievement in your field, recognised beyond Australia and beyond your home country. Awards, rankings, results, publications, media and expert statements make up the record.
- 02
Still prominent
You must still be prominent in the field, not resting on a past record. Current roles, recent results and ongoing invitations show it.
- 03
An asset to Australia
Your presence must be an asset to the Australian community, shown by what you will contribute: performance programs, research, industry or cultural leadership.
- 04
Able to establish yourself
You must have no difficulty obtaining employment or becoming established independently in your field in Australia. A job offer helps but is not required.
- 05
A nominator of national reputation
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field, who completes the nomination form and vouches for your record.
- 06
Age
There is no upper age limit, but applicants aged 55 or over must show that their presence would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
- 07
English, health and character
Functional English, or an additional charge for each adult without it. Health examinations and police clearances for every applicant.
Expression of interest, invitation, then the application.
Since December 2024 nobody can lodge the visa directly. The expression of interest is where the case is won or lost.
Build the record
Assemble the evidence of international recognition before anything is lodged: results, awards, rankings, publications, media, contracts and independent expert statements. Thin records are not invited.
Secure the nominator
Identify the organisation or individual with a national reputation in your field and prepare their nomination with them. A strong nominator statement addresses each criterion, not just praise.
Expression of interest
Lodge online with the record and the nominator's details. The Department sorts expressions of interest into priority tiers and invites the strongest first. There is no fixed timeframe and no right to an invitation.
Invitation and application
Once invited, lodge the visa within the period stated in the invitation with full evidence, health and character, and the $6,235 charge. Family members are included at this stage.
Grant
Permanent residence from grant, anywhere in Australia, with a five-year travel facility. Citizenship follows once the residence requirements are met.
Where the 858 stops and the event visas start.
Elite talent arrives on four different visas depending on how long they stay and who is paying. This is how we choose.
| Situation | Usual visa | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Playing, coaching or performing at a defined event, tour or season | 408 | Temporary, $535 charge, sponsored by the club, promoter or event organiser |
| Employed by a club, company or institution in a skilled role for several years | 482, then 186 | Employer sponsorship, $4,015 charge, permanent through the 186 after the qualifying period |
| International standing, settling in Australia permanently on your own record | 858 | Permanent, $6,235 charge, nominator of national reputation, no employer needed |
| Highly specialised short assignment under three months | 400 | Short Stay Specialist, $535 charge, no sponsorship |
| Attending, scouting or negotiating for under three months | 600 Business Visitor, ETA or eVisitor | No work permitted; $250 or free for ETA and eVisitor nationals |
Charges as at 1 July 2026. Many people arrive on a 408 or 482 and move to the 858 once their Australian record is established.
Brisbane 2032 and the talent Australia wants to keep.
Australia hosts the Rugby World Cup in 1 October to 13 November 2027, the Netball World Cup in 25 August to 5 September 2027, the T20 World Cup in 21 October to 19 November 2028 and the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 23 July to 8 August 2032. High performance systems are recruiting now, and the 858 is how the best of them stay.
Australia's major events to 2032- 01
Coaches and high performance directors
National team coaches, program directors and performance leads with international results. The national sporting organisation or institute is usually the natural nominator.
- 02
Sports scientists, medical and technology specialists
Biomechanists, physiologists, performance analysts, sports physicians and event technology leaders with published work or Olympic-level program records.
- 03
Athletes and Paralympians
Competitors of international standing who will train, compete or coach in Australia. Eligibility to represent Australia is a separate question for the sport, not the visa.
- 04
Performers and creative directors
Ceremony directors, choreographers, composers and principal performers whose record sits at the top of their art form. Major companies and festivals are the nominators here.
- 05
Timing
Build the record on a 408 or 482 during the 2027 and 2028 events, then lodge the 858 expression of interest with Australian results behind it. That is a stronger case than an expression of interest lodged cold from overseas.
What an 858 costs the applicant.
Government charges only. Medicals, police clearances, translations, expert statements and our fixed professional fee are additional.
As at 1 July 2026. The additional charge for each adult without functional English is payable before grant and is not included above.
Subclass 858, answered plainly.
What replaced the Global Talent visa?
The National Innovation visa, from 6 December 2024. It kept the subclass number 858 but changed the criteria and the process. Every applicant now lodges an expression of interest and waits for an invitation, and the Department invites in priority tiers with the strongest records first.
Who can be my nominator for the 858?
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field. A national sporting body, a leading company, a university or a peak arts organisation is typical. The nominator vouches for your record and must be credible in the same field.
Is there an age limit for the National Innovation visa?
No upper limit. Applicants aged 55 or over must show that their presence would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community, which is a higher bar. Younger applicants must still show an international record, so age is rarely the issue.
Do I need a job offer for the 858?
No. You must show that you would have no difficulty obtaining employment or establishing yourself in your field in Australia. A contract with a club, company or institution is strong evidence but not a requirement.
Can athletes and coaches get the 858?
Yes, where the record is at international level: Olympic and Paralympic results, world championships, top professional leagues, national team coaching or high performance leadership. A good domestic career without international recognition is usually not enough, and the 408 or 482 is the better first step.
How long does the 858 take?
Two stages. The wait for an invitation depends on how your expression of interest ranks and is not published as a time. Once lodged, processing times vary and are published monthly, and decision-ready applications move faster.
Can I include my family?
Yes. Partner and children are included at the application stage, at $3,120 for each adult and $1,560 for each child. Any adult without functional English pays an additional charge before grant.
Where this visa connects.
- 408Open
Temporary Activity visa
The visa for a tournament, tour or season, and often the first step to the 858.
- 482Open
Skills in Demand visa
Employer sponsorship for a club, company or institution role.
- 186Open
Employer Nomination Scheme
Permanent residence through the employer after the 482.
- EventsOpen
Australia's major events to 2032
Rugby World Cup 2027, Netball World Cup 2027, T20 World Cup 2028, Brisbane 2032 and the visas each needs.
Articles on this visa
Is your record strong enough for the 858?
One consultation tests the evidence honestly, identifies the right nominator and tells you whether to lodge now or build the record first. Fixed fee quoted in writing.