How to submit your Registration of Interest

Overview

Your Registration of Interest (ROI) is how you tell us you’d like to be considered for NSW nomination under the National Innovation visa. It’s a detailed form that asks about your background, your pathway, and to show how you meet our criteria. You won’t need to upload any documents at this stage — but you must be ready to prove every claim if you’re invited to apply.

Before you submit your ROI, please read all the information on this page. Make sure you understand exactly what you’ll need later — and take the time to get it right the first time.

What we’ll ask you in your ROI

Below is a breakdown of the information you’ll be asked for — so you know what to have ready before you submit.

Personal details

You’ll need to provide your basic personal information — this helps us confirm who you are and match your ROI to any future application.

You’ll be asked for:

• Your title, first name and surname
• Your email address and contact phone number
• Your date of birth
• The country that issued your passport
• The country where you currently live

Tip: Double-check that your contact details match any other documents or information you give us later — so we can reach you if needed.

Using a representative

If you’re using a migration agent, lawyer or other authorised representative to help you with your ROI, you’ll need to provide their details.

You’ll be asked for:

• Your representative’s first name and surname
• Their business or organisation name (if applicable)
• Their registration number (if applicable)
• Their phone number and email address

Before you list a representative, check our Using a representative page for important information about who can act on your behalf and what you’re responsible for.

Professional details

You’ll be asked to tell us about your current role and career highlights. This helps us understand your background and how you meet the criteria for your pathway.

You’ll be asked for:

• Your current job title or role — for example, CEO, founder, professor, athlete, artist
• The name of your current organisation or employer — this could be your venture, your affiliated institution, or your team or club
• Your current annual salary or financial standing — depending on your background, this could be your business turnover, grant or award amounts, or investment levels. Be clear about what your figure represents. This stays confidential.
• A short summary of your professional background — including key achievements and milestones relevant to your field
• Your primary skills and areas of expertise — and how these could benefit NSW

Researchers and Academics

We’ll ask for details about your research achievements, academic background and impact. This helps us assess how you meet the criteria for NSW nomination under the National Innovation visa.

You’ll be asked for:

• Any national or international research grants you’ve secured — include the name, awarding organisation, amount, duration and your role
• Your highest academic qualifications — including awarding institutions, and their rankings if relevant
• A summary of your publication record — highlight recent work in top-ranked journals, include citation metrics if you have them, and link to your Google Scholar or ResearchGate profile if available
• Details of any keynote presentations you’ve given at major international conferences — for example TED, AAAS, the World Economic Forum
• Any recognised intellectual property — like patents or formally acknowledged innovations
• Any other exceptional achievements or contributions you’d like to highlight — this could include innovative initiatives, major industry recognition or special contributions that show your standing and impact

Entrepreneurs

You’ll need to show us your business idea, your track record and how you plan to turn your idea into a successful venture in NSW. This helps us understand your impact, innovation and growth potential.

You’ll be asked for:

• A clear description of your business idea — what’s new or innovative about it, and what clear market need it addresses
• An overview of your target market and competition — how you plan to commercialise your idea, and any early traction or proof of demand
• A short business plan — outline your revenue models, funding requirements and financial projections for the next 3–5 years
• A summary of your entrepreneurial track record — ventures you’ve founded or led, successes and lessons learned
• Details of any current entrepreneurial activities — start-ups, projects or ventures that are moving toward commercialisation in Australia
• Any funding you’ve secured or are raising — sources, amounts, stages of investment
• Any involvement with innovation hubs or accelerators — your role and how this supported your journey
• Details of any recognised intellectual property — patents, trademarks or other significant IP
• Any other exceptional achievements or contributions — for example, initiatives or awards that highlight your impact as an entrepreneur

Innovative Investors

We’ll ask you to show your investment track record, how you support the start-up ecosystem and any international recognition you’ve received. This helps us see how you meet the criteria for NSW nomination.

You’ll be asked for:

• Details of your investment experience in innovative ventures — including deal amounts, stages (like seed, growth, pre-IPO) and your role (for example, angel or lead investor). Mention any significant outcomes, like growth milestones, IPOs or acquisitions.
• How you’ve contributed to the start-up community — for example, mentoring founders, serving on boards or providing strategic guidance that helped ventures grow.
• Evidence of any investments you’ve made in innovative businesses progressing toward commercialisation — include partnerships with hubs, incubators or accelerators in Australia or overseas.
• Any international recognition or awards you’ve received for your contributions as an investor — include details about the honour, awarding body and significance.
• Any other exceptional achievements — for example, initiatives or community contributions that strengthen your profile and show your impact as an active investor.

Sports Professionals

We’ll ask for details about your sporting achievements and how you plan to help grow the sports sector in NSW. This helps us see how you meet the criteria for NSW nomination.

You’ll be asked for:

• Your significant sporting achievements — including competition results, major coaching successes, awards, or innovations that have helped advance your sport
• Evidence of your current national or international standing — such as official rankings, leadership or selection roles, or recognition by national or international sporting organisations
• How you plan to contribute to sport in NSW — for example, mentoring athletes or coaches, developing talent pathways, supporting high-performance programs, or partnering with local sporting bodies
• Any other contributions — such as innovation in coaching, sports science, athlete wellbeing, or other ways you’ll help strengthen NSW’s sporting ecosystem

Creative Professionals

We’ll ask for an overview of your creative practice and how your work has made an impact. This helps us see how you meet the criteria for NSW nomination.

You’ll be asked for:

• A short overview of your creative discipline and career so far — including major works, exhibitions, performances or productions that define your practice
• Any national or international recognition you’ve received — such as awards, residencies, critical reviews, or invitations to exhibit, perform or publish in major contexts
• How your work has influenced your field or community — for example, driving innovation, cultural leadership, diversity or sector growth
• Any other achievements or contributions — such as community projects, interdisciplinary work or other ways you’ve strengthened your creative profile

Why NSW — and your future impact

We’ll ask you to show why you want to base your work in NSW, what impact you’ll make, and what real connections or plans you already have in place. Be specific — show us you’ve done your research and you’re serious about making a difference here.

You’ll be asked for:

• Why you’ve chosen NSW — for example, the innovation ecosystem, business or creative opportunities, lifestyle advantages, or how NSW aligns with your broader goals
• How you’ll contribute to NSW’s development — describe your expected economic, cultural or community impact. Be specific: include real examples or projections, like creating jobs, driving innovation or enriching local culture
• Any existing or planned local partnerships — tell us about real connections with NSW-based businesses, research organisations, cultural institutions or community groups — and how these partnerships will strengthen your impact
• Your vision for the future — explain how you expect your work to grow and develop in NSW over the next 3–5 years, and what lasting benefits you see for the state’s economy, culture or community

If you have a job offer in NSW

This section is optional — but if you already have a valid job offer in NSW, please tell us about it. This helps us understand how your work will contribute to NSW’s economy and community.

You’ll be asked for:

• Confirmation that you have a job offer
• The employer’s name and what the organisation does
• The job title or role you’ve been offered, and your key responsibilities
• The salary offered (if you wish to share it)
• Details of the contract — such as whether it’s permanent, temporary or part-time, and your expected start date
• Any conditions attached to the offer — for example, probation, relocation, or other arrangements

If you’ve engaged with a NSW Government agency

This section is optional — but if you’ve had any contact with a NSW Government agency about your work or your potential nomination, please tell us. This helps us understand your level of connection and any prior discussions or support.

You’ll be asked for:

• The name of the NSW Government agency you engaged with
• The name, role, phone and email of your contact person
• What the engagement was about — for example, the topics you discussed, support you sought, or information you provided
• Any extra details you’d like to add

Ready to submit?

Remember, you can only have one active ROI at a time — and once you submit, you can’t edit it. Take a moment to double-check you’re happy with every detail before you hit submit.

Next steps