Entrepreneurs

Overview

This pathway is for founders with a proven track record of launching, scaling and exiting innovative businesses — and a clear plan to build their next venture here in NSW.

You may be eligible for NSW nomination if you:

• Have founded and grown companies that attracted smart capital or strategic investors
• Can show real traction — like revenue growth, customer adoption or market share
• Have experience operating in large, scalable markets
• Plan to use NSW’s ecosystem to access talent, funding or partnerships that help you move quickly

Eligibility

Track record of entrepreneurial success

You should have a proven history of founding, leading, or significantly contributing to successful innovative businesses.

Evidence may include:

• Successful launch and growth of previous ventures, with clear metrics (e.g. revenue, market share, user numbers)
• Successful exits — such as acquisitions or IPOs
• Raising significant investment capital
• Participation in recognised accelerator or incubator programs

Innovation and scalability of your venture

You must present an innovative business idea or a recent venture with significant potential for growth and job creation in NSW.

Evidence may include:

• A clear business plan showing market opportunity, competitive advantage and a scalable business model
• Unique intellectual property or disruptive technology
• Realistic, quantifiable projections for revenue growth and new high-skilled jobs in NSW
• Demonstrated market readiness through pilots, user engagement or letters of intent

Commitment to NSW

You must demonstrate a genuine commitment to establishing and growing your business in NSW.

Evidence may include:

• A concrete plan for NSW operations — timelines for registration, hiring, and setting up a presence
• Engagement with NSW’s innovation ecosystem — for example, networking or seeking local partnerships

Potential economic impact on NSW

Your application should clearly articulate the potential economic benefits to NSW, such as job creation, investment attraction, contribution to priority sectors, and development of new capabilities.

Endorsements

Strong endorsements from established entrepreneurs, investors, or NSW government-backed innovation hubs are highly advantageous. These should confirm your venture’s viability and your potential to deliver real benefits for NSW.

How to get started

To be considered for NSW nomination, you must follow this three-stage process.

Stage 1: Check you are eligible

First, you need to confirm you meet the criteria for a nomination pathway.

• This page explains the criteria for the Entrepreneur pathway.
• If you are not an entrepreneur, read our Pathways page to find your correct pathway.

Stage 2: Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI)

When you are sure you are eligible, you can submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). An ROI formally tells us you would like to be considered for nomination.

• Fill it out carefully. You cannot change your ROI after you submit it. Make sure everything is accurate.
• One at a time. You can only have one active ROI with us at a time.
• It’s valid for six months. Your ROI will be considered for up to six months.

You can read our Guide to Registering Your Interest for more detailed help.

Stage 3: Apply if invited

If we invite your ROI, we will email you a link to apply for nomination.

• Prepare your evidence early. Your application must include documents that prove the claims you made in your ROI. We advise you to start gathering this evidence now.

Other visa pathways

If NSW nomination for the National Innovation Visa isn’t right for you, there are other visa options for skilled professionals wanting to live and work in NSW. These include:

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nomination visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)

For a full list of available visa options, see the visa finder on the Home Affairs website.