Do I need a job offer or Australian employer?+
No. The NIV 858 has no job offer or sponsorship requirement. You need a credible Australian nominator (citizen, PR or organisation with national reputation in your field) to endorse your application via Form 1000 — but that's a reference, not employment.
How do I find an Australian nominator?+
This is the hardest part of the NIV for most applicants. Your nominator must hold a nationally recognised reputation in your field — senior academics, established founders, industry leaders, or eligible Australian organisations. We maintain relationships with credible nominators across priority sectors and match applicants strategically.
Is there an age limit?+
No strict age limit. However applicants under 18 or over 55 must demonstrate "exceptional benefit" to Australia — a higher bar than standard exceptional achievement. For the typical 25–55 applicant range, age is not a filter.
Do I need to pass an English test?+
Only Functional English is required — the lowest English bar in Australian migration. This can be demonstrated via IELTS 4.5, passport from an English-speaking country, or prior English-medium education. Most Indian professionals easily meet this.
Can my family come?+
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children receive Permanent Residency together with you. They get immediate work rights, study rights, Medicare access and a pathway to citizenship on the same timeline. DHA charges AUD $2,495 per adult dependant and AUD $1,250 per child under 18.
What are the 2026 priority sectors?+
DHA prioritises applicants whose work strengthens Australia's Sovereign Capability. The 4 focus areas for 2026 are: Sovereign Capability (quantum, defence, critical tech), Advanced Research (AI, biotech, medical), Clean Energy & Climate, and Strategic Industry (cyber, space, infrastructure). Framing your EOI around these sectors improves invitation odds dramatically.
What's the actual success rate?+
Two numbers to understand. EOI to invitation: approximately 6.6% (most EOIs are filtered out). Invitation to visa grant: 90%+ for well-prepared applicants. The bottleneck is getting invited, which is why the EOI and nominator quality matter more than the visa application itself.
How long does the full process take?+
6–22 months end-to-end. EOI preparation: 4–6 weeks. Invitation decision: 6 weeks to 6 months. Visa application lodgment: within 60 days of ITA. DHA decision: 6–12 months for Tier 1 priority sectors, 13–22 months for standard applications.
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