Australia · Talent schemes
Australia National Innovation 858
National Innovation visa (subclass 858)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
National Innovation 858 is a talent schemes route for Australia. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- AUD 6,235 ≈ $4,340 · +4 more
Cost, time and long term
Government feesAUD 6,235 ≈ $4,340 · +4 more
- AUD 6,235 (≈ $4,340)First-instalment base application charge, main applicant (standard).
- AUD 5,110 (≈ $3,560)First-instalment base application charge for applicants holding a Pacific-regional passport.
- AUD 3,120 (≈ $2,170)Additional applicant charge, family member 18 or over (standard).
- AUD 1,560 (≈ $1,090)Additional applicant charge, family member under 18 (standard).
- AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400)Second instalment payable before grant for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, unless an exemption applies.
Permanent residenceTime here counts
This is itself a permanent visa.
CitizenshipAfter 4 years of residence
Citizenship by conferral needs 4 years lawfully in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months' total absence in the 4 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The applicant has an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts or academia and research.
- The applicant is still prominent and has no difficulty gaining employment or becoming established.
- If under 18 or 55 and over, the applicant must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
- Holders of a 491 or 494 visa must have held it for at least 3 years unless specified circumstances apply.
What you must show4
- The first-instalment base application charge is AUD 6,235 (≈ $4,340) for the main applicant (standard).
- The first-instalment base charge is AUD 5,110 (≈ $3,560) for applicants holding a Pacific-regional passport.
- The additional applicant charge is AUD 3,120 (≈ $2,170) for a family member 18 or over and AUD 1,560 (≈ $1,090) under 18 (standard).
- A second instalment of AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) is payable before grant for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, unless an exemption applies.
Documents1
- A nominator completes Form 1000 attesting to the achievement record.
Steps3
- Submit an expression of interest first; the EOI stays active for 2 years.
- The Minister must invite the applicant in writing.
- Apply within 60 days of the invitation date.
When you become tax resident
How Australia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests.
- Foreign-source income
Temporary residents
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
- Special regime
Temporary resident exemption · Tax relief
All tax rules for Australia Tax records checked
Full official text
Invitation-only permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement (global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes, creatives). It replaces the former Global Talent/Distinguished Talent 858 route. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- A fee of AUD 6,235 (≈ $4,340) · First-instalment base application charge, main applicant (standard). 2
- A fee of AUD 5,110 (≈ $3,560) · First-instalment base application charge for applicants holding a Pacific-regional passport. 2
- A fee of AUD 3,120 (≈ $2,170) · Additional applicant charge, family member 18 or over (standard). 2
- A fee of AUD 1,560 (≈ $1,090) · Additional applicant charge, family member under 18 (standard). 2
- A fee of AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) · Second instalment payable before grant for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, unless an exemption applies. 2
Requirements
- The applicant has an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts or academia and research. 3
- The applicant is still prominent and has no difficulty gaining employment or becoming established. 3
- If under 18 or 55 and over, the applicant must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. 3
- Holders of a 491 or 494 visa must have held it for at least 3 years unless specified circumstances apply. 3
- The first-instalment base application charge is AUD 6,235 (≈ $4,340) for the main applicant (standard). 2
- The first-instalment base charge is AUD 5,110 (≈ $3,560) for applicants holding a Pacific-regional passport. 2
- The additional applicant charge is AUD 3,120 (≈ $2,170) for a family member 18 or over and AUD 1,560 (≈ $1,090) under 18 (standard). 2
- A second instalment of AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) is payable before grant for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, unless an exemption applies. 2
- A nominator completes Form 1000 attesting to the achievement record. 1 3
- Submit an expression of interest first; the EOI stays active for 2 years. 1 3
- The Minister must invite the applicant in writing. 1 3
- Apply within 60 days of the invitation date. 1 3
Stay
- Permanent visa; no fixed stay period.
Nationality
Lower application charge for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders from 1 July 2026.
Work
Full work and study rights as a permanent resident.
Family
Partner and dependent children can be included as family-unit applicants; additional applicant charges apply.
Official sources
- National Innovation Visa · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-12
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Schedule 2 criteria incl. Subclass 858 · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
National Innovation 858 and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Innovation 858 | – | – | Yes |
| Skilled Independent 189 | – | – | Yes |
| Skilled Nominated 190 | – | – | – |
| Skilled Regional 491 | – | 5 yr | – |
| J-Find Japan | – | 2 yr | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the National Innovation 858?
A fee of AUD 6,235 (≈ $4,340). First-instalment base application charge, main applicant (standard). A fee of AUD 5,110 (≈ $3,560). First-instalment base application charge for applicants holding a Pacific-regional passport. A fee of AUD 3,120 (≈ $2,170). Additional applicant charge, family member 18 or over (standard). A fee of AUD 1,560 (≈ $1,090). Additional applicant charge, family member under 18 (standard).
How long can I stay on the National Innovation 858?
Permanent visa; no fixed stay period.
Can I work on the National Innovation 858?
Yes. Full work and study rights as a permanent resident.
Can I bring my family on the National Innovation 858?
Partner and dependent children can be included as family-unit applicants; additional applicant charges apply.
Does the National Innovation 858 lead to permanent residence in Australia?
Time on the National Innovation 858 counts toward permanent residence in Australia. Time on the National Innovation 858 counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 4 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for National Innovation 858 holders in Australia?
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income
Tax relief
Details
- On: Most foreign-source income (exempt)
- Who: Hold a temporary visa
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
Taxed on
Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable.
Who it applies to
- Hold a temporary visa.
- Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder).
Exclusions
- Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty.
- Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse.
Tax residence
A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately.
Visas
Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself.
Other taxes
Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD.
Checked against official sources on Change log
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 5 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- National Innovation Visa · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-12
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Schedule 2 criteria incl. Subclass 858 · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.