The following tables summarise all state 188A business migration requirements and processes. Information is subject to change without notice. If you know of an update that isn’t reflected on these tables, please contact us.
NSW 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| NSW | Applicants with 15 points for business experience or points for business innovation qualification | Points test a minimum score of 65 Must be under 50 years of age Bachelor degree holder or Australian equivalent or 3 years of business experience in a NSW target sector (or 5 years in a non-target sector) Business proposal | At least A$1.75M in Sydney and at least A$1.25M in regional NSW |
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| Permanent visa (subclass 888) will be refused if the business investment is not made as follows – A$500K if in Sydney A$300K if in regional NSW | Provide a business proposal that clearly describes how your business will contribute to the NSW economy and create new jobs | Must create a minimum of 2 new full-time equivalent jobs If purchasing an existing business, must show growth in the business since taking over. Either an increase in annual turnover of at least 10% or an increase in business assets of at least 25% | Exemptions from job creation and business growth requirement if the business has implemented innovative and unique practices or is located in regional NSW and trades primarily in a regional NSW target sector |
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents and fees required | Recent announcements and notes |
| Submit an EOI in SkillSelect selecting NSW as your preferred state, then apply to NSW for nomination using their online form. | You will receive an application outcome (or request for further information) within four weeks of your application payment. | Letter of release by other state or territory (if any) and decision record for previous visa refusals (if any) Business plan plus A specific list of documents are found here Business career documents include: – resume – a statement outlining your successful business career – organisation chart showing your role in your current business A$902 if applying from within Australia and A$820 if applying from outside Australia |
Victoria 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| VIC | Score of at least 65 points Meet the Home Affairs requirements including minimum financial requirements Be committed to meet the requirements for permanent residence Must be under 55 years of age Vocational English STEMM qualification or an MBA or relevant business history in a target sector Innovative business proposal | ||
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| Business proposal must show innovation and job creation. | Business proposal must demonstrate the business will contribute to innovation in Victoria through innovations in either product or process Must employ at least 2 full-time employees Export activity must provide a direct contribution to Victoria. Parallel exporting is not accepted. Evidence of authorisation and acknowledgement between the exporter (business migrant) and trademark owner must accompany the application. Businesses not be accepted include: property development, gift stores, convenience stores and cafes or restaurants | Waiver of age requirement in limited circumstances for those with an exceptional and innovative business proposal for Victoria Alternative evidence for Vocational English Exempt from creating job creation requirement if eligible business’ turnover is at least A$1 million per year for the 2 years before applying for permanent residency. | |
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents and fee required | Recent announcements |
| Submit a nomination application via the Live in Melbourne portal | Response within 2 weeks and the general processing time is published as 20 business days | Business proposal plus evidence demonstrating your eligibility including Passport English language evidence Qualification documents Victorian nomination conditions declaration form Appointment of agent form (if required) No fee | Victoria business migration has a dedicated relationship management team to support and assist business and investor migrants nominated by the Victorian Government. You can contact them through this portal. |
QLD 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| QLD | Preference given to those who choose Queensland as their nominating state of choice in their EOI | Meet Home Affairs immigration eligibility criteria Demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland Business proposal | At least A$1.25M ready to be transferred to Queensland after visa grant |
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| Must invest in one or two qualifying business(es) in Queensland after visa grant At least A$400K if in greater Brisbane and Gold Coast region At least A$300K if in regional Queensland | Export business must develop international markets for Queensland products General importing businesses will not be accepted unless they are highly innovative, advanced in tech or currently unavailable in Queensland Property development business will not be accepted | ||
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents and fees required | Recent announcements |
| Migration Queensland assess all EOIs and if successful you will receive an email invitation to lodge an application and provide the required documents (portal link is provided in the invitation email) | The processing time of each application varies, depending on the quality of the application documents, timely payment of application fee and volume of applications submitted to Migration Queensland. Periodically, due to quota limitations or peak demand, processing times may be longer than anticipated. | – Queensland state nomination application form – Business proposal – Home affairs form 1139A A$400 (add GST if applying from within Australia) |
South Australia 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| SA | Meet Home Affairs immigration eligibility criteria Intend to live in South Australia, agree to register arrival in South Australia Must be under 55 Business proposal | ||
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| Must invest in a business as follows: A$300K if under 55 years old and A$600K if 55 or older Property development in Adelaide: A$1.5M if under 55 years of age (A$2M if 55 years or older) Property development in regional SA: A$1.2M if under 55 years of age (A$1.5M if 55 years or older) Export (purchase value): A$750K – A$1.25M if under 55 years of age (A$1.5M – A$2.5M if 55 years or older) | Proposal must meet SA nomination ‘benefit to state requirements’ and must provide detailed information on the viability and economic impact of the proposal to SA. | Must create at least 2 full-time eligible employees Import businesses will require substantial justification to demonstrate the benefit to state. Approval for a proposed business undertaking property development is still at the discretion of the manager of business migration. A private investor property development is not accepted. SA will manage the demand levels for certain businesses including cafes, restaurants, convenience stores, service stations and retail stores. | Applicants over 55 years must demonstrate that the proposal will be of exceptional economic benefit to SA by meeting higher investment threshold Applicants with between 55 and 65 points can apply for exceptional circumstances for the additional 10 points with priority given to investment proposals to be undertaken in SA. |
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents required | Recent announcements |
| Choose SA as your preferred state in your EOI, create an account and submit an online application for state nomination via the Skilled & Business Migration portal | 12 – 16 weeks | – Passport photo page of main applicant and spouse – Business proposal with detailed information about the proposed investment or business activity including SWOT, evidence of the market, list of local contacts and competitors and more. A$948 |
Western Australia 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| WA | Preference will be given to applicants who have visited WA, and who have family, friends or business associates in WA. | Meet Department of Home Affairs criteria Applicant and their dependents residing in Australia are required to live, work and or study in WA. Business proposal Applications must be complete and decision-ready, including all relevant evidence to support all claims | |
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
Submit a business proposal that includes a detailed budget with costings to substantiate the net assets in business, new employment and total net assets in WA Business proposal must clearly demonstrate how the business will contribute positively to the WA economy and create jobs Research must have been conducted and applicants must be able to explain how they have decided on the viability of their proposed business activity, investment amount and the number of new and/or retained employees Approval must be sought from WA business migration centre in writing to change the business proposal of an approved nomination application. | WA has a non-restrictive business activity policy meaning business migrants can undertake the business activity of their choice, providing it meets the qualifying business definition of the Department of Home Affairs Business proposals will be assessed competitively based on the viability of the proposed business, realistic business activity, and contribution to the WA economy including the generation of new jobs and the retention of existing jobs Property development business applicants must propose a project with at least three dwellings which will generate the minimum required turnover amount in sales within the term of the visa as required by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). An applicant’s residence can be part of the business project but must be in addition to the minimum three dwellings and the required net business assets. 188 applicants cannot undertake a property development business activity in partnership with any other party. A business that sources products or services internationally and sells to overseas clients with the payments and income going through a business in WA will not be selected. The majority of the products or services need to be sourced from WA and exported internationally. Recycling of business ideas is not allowed. Applicants will not be selected for state nomination if the business has previously been used by another business migrant. | Age waiver or additional 10 points request is assessed if the net assets in WA of at least A$1.5M of which at least $500,000 is invested in the business, and there is a creation of the equivalent of one new full-time job. | |
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents required | Recent announcements |
| Lodge an application for state nomination with the Business Migration Centre (BMC) | 4 weeks and any request for priority processing will be considered on a case-by-case basis | Business proposal plus other evidence demonstrating eligibility as required A$750 | Applicants who have made an application to another state or territory of Australia will not be selected unless there are exceptional circumstances |
Northern Territory 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| NT | Successful history of doing business and wish to do business and invest in the NT Meet Australian Government criteria Successful applicants must notify the NT Government of their contact details, including any changes Business proposal demonstrating their ability to contribute economically to the NT, the benefit to the NT from proposed activities and their ability to deliver on the proposed activity | ||
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
Activities must benefit Australia’s NT and align with its economic goals Investment activities benefiting the NT can include: transfer of new capital, generation of new employment, generation of indigenous employment, expansion of trade in NT goods or services, development of export markets for NT products or replacement of imports, the introduction of new skills, expertise, technologies or innovations, investment in remote areas, investment in a range of areas such as healthcare, education, tourism, mining and primary industries and fisheries, and have a significant flow-on effect to other sectors of the economy Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of Australia’s NT business and investment, have genuine intentions to actively pursue business or investment in the NT and have the financial capacity and business acumen to support their proposed activities Applicants can demonstrate their ability to deliver on their proposed business activity by having an existing business in the NT, having a history of dealing with NT businesses, social links to the NT, including relatives and associates, undertaking an exploratory visit to research establishing a business in the NT, having established a residence in the NT, showing they have researched the business and investment environment of the NT, and showing they have an understanding of the legal and licensing framework for operating a business in the NT. Any negative information in relation to the applicant’s business or investment activities may result in them not being nominated | |||
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents required | Recent announcements and notes |
| NT nomination is not transferable to any other Australian state or territory The new criteria for NT nomination are currently being worked on. Applicants who wish to make an application must email migration@nt.gov.au with the details of their proposed investment or business. |
Tasmania 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| TAS | High regard given to business proposals that include generation of significant flow-on opportunities for the Tasmanian economy, including trade expansion and the creation and or retention of local jobs, partnership with at least one business partner who is a permanent resident or an Australian citizen, likelihood that the initiative would not otherwise proceed without the direct involvement of the applicant, environmentally sustainable initiatives and investment in key sectors | Be a successful business owner or innovator proposing a new business or partnering with an existing Australian business partner to develop new technologies or innovations, enhance industry capabilities, or offer a product or service with a distinct point of difference, which is suited to Tasmanian conditions Meet DHA visa requirements Applicants must intend to live in Tasmania and contribute to Tasmania’s economy while they hold a subclass 188 visa associated with the Tasmanian nomination, and agree to the nomination undertakings Business proposals that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to operate businesses and develop business concepts that will genuinely benefit Tasmania’s economy through innovation and new technologies, and enhancing industry capabilities Applicant must demonstrate that they have or can acquire the relevant knowledge, skills, experiences, qualifications, licences etc to undertake senior level day-to-day and strategic management of the business in Tasmania Have sufficient funds to settle in Tasmania | |
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| At least A$200,000 to establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Tasmania | Business proposal must be realistic, well-researched and plausible Business plan must include how the proposed activity can benefit Tasmania’s economy, an explanation of the applicant’s role in the proposed business activity and how they have or can acquire the relevant knowledge, skills, experiences, qualifications, licences etc, to undertake senior level day-to-day and strategic management of the business in Tasmania, a proposed timetable for undertaking the business activity in Tasmania, including timing for the transfer of cash and other assets, discussions held with relevant government, industry bodies, potential collaborators, relevant individuals and organisations on the business proposal (include dates, names and contact details), research and study (including any exploratory visits to Tasmania) into the proposed business activity in the Tasmanian business environment such as target market, opportunities, barriers, how to break into the existing market, licensing and registration, and the details of financing with realistic projects of risks, profits and losses. | If partnering with an Australian-based business partner, the applicant must demonstrate their genuine commitment to investing with an Australian-based business partner to either enhance an existing business or state a new business in Tasmania If investing in an existing business in Tasmania, the business must not be a franchise and the applicant must provide evidence of the agreement to invest Following business activities will generally be excluded: passive investment, general importing, real estate property investment and development, export of commodities and scrap metal, mining service operations (administration services for the mining sector) and setting up an existing franchise If introducing technologies and innovations with existing patents and trademarks to Tasmania, the applicant must have ownership of the relevant patents and or trademarks from an authorised governing body or prove that the technology can be used without breaching intellectual property rights laws | Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed business is of unique and important benefit to Tasmania to seek an age waiver or a 10-point special endorsement. The proposed activity must be substantially different or innovative compared with existing businesses or allow Tasmania to gain some significant competitive advantage that it does not currently have, or demonstrate that the applicant has exceptional qualifications and experience linked to the business (that is, the business cannot proceed without the applicant). |
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents required | Recent announcements |
| Register your interest via the online form and you will be contacted by Migration Tasmania if you are invited to apply for state nomination | Unknown/not published | A business plan plus – resume – financial statements of your current business – documentary evidence of your current business involvement such as organisation charts, photographs of business, internet presence – 1139A form – a copy of your EOI – Passport biopage – form 956 |
ACT 188A Business Migration
| Links | Priority is given to | Basic requirements | Net business + personal assets |
| ACT | Meet DHA criteria Make a personal commitment, and have sufficient personal funds to settle in Canberra upon grant of the subclass 188 visa Business proposal no more than 5 pages Summary of the applicant’s successful business career (no more than one page) | ||
| Investment | Business plan requirements | Proposed business activity | Exemptions |
| At least A$200,000 to establish or purchase a business in Canberra | The business plan must include proposed ACT business investment activity, statement of economic benefit (explaining how the proposed business will be of economic benefit to the ACT), statement of economic viability (explaining what market research or study has been undertaken into the relevant sectors in the ACT), a statement of financial viability (explaining the expected costs of establishing or purchasing the business and financial projects for the first two years), and description of any Australian business activities of interest, including any period of ownership | ||
| Application process | Turnaround time | Documents and fees required | Recent announcements |
| Email for a request for an invitation at migration@act.gov.au explaining how your proposed business or investment will be of economic benefit to the ACT | Unknown/not published | Request for invitation documents – – summary of the proposed ACT business/investment – EOI record of response – if you have a close family connection to Canberra Application documents – – EOI record of response – resume – ACT business proposal – summary of your successful business career – evidence of your current business activity – 1139A – ACT nomination obligations signed declaration – a copy of passport biodata page and Australian visa (if any) A$600 |