Sports Professionals

Overview

This pathway is for athletes, coaches and sports leaders performing at the highest levels — with a proven record of success and a clear plan to help lift NSW’s sporting capability.

You may be eligible for NSW nomination if you:

• Have competed at major international events — like the Olympics, World Championships or professional leagues
• Hold medals, titles or rankings that show you’re among the best in your sport
• Coach or mentor elite athletes with proven results at national or international level
• Play a leadership role in developing high-performance programs or talent pathways
• Have a plan to share your expertise, build future champions and strengthen NSW’s sporting community

Eligibility

Exceptional sporting achievement (for athletes)

You must show exceptional and outstanding results at the highest levels of your sport, with clear national or international recognition.

Evidence may include:

• Medals or top rankings in major national or international competitions — such as the Olympics or World Championships
• Current or recent representation at the highest national or international level
• Significant awards or honours in your sport

Outstanding coaching or specialist expertise (for coaches and specialists)

If you’re a coach or specialist — for example, a sports scientist or high-performance manager — you must show a proven record of outstanding success and impact at a high level of sport.

Evidence may include:

• Coaching athletes or teams to significant national or international success
• Developing and delivering innovative training methods or high-performance programs
• Major contributions to sports science or performance systems
• Recognition by national or international sporting bodies

Contribution to NSW sport

You must show how your presence will benefit NSW’s sports sector.

Evidence may include:

• Competing for NSW-based teams or clubs
• Coaching or mentoring NSW athletes
• Helping develop sports infrastructure or high-performance programs in NSW
• Enhancing NSW’s reputation as a leading sporting state

International standing

Evidence of international recognition or impact in your sport or specialty will strengthen your application.

Endorsements

Letters of support from relevant national or state sporting organisations, high-performance centres or respected figures in your sport are essential.

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 Sports Professional pathway.
• If you are not a sports professional, 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.