Starting a business in Australia requires an investment between AUD 200,000 and AUD 15 million, based on your visa type.
Foreign nationals need more than just capital to operate a business in Australia – they need the right business visa. The Skilled Work Regional visa offers a clear path to permanent residency after three years of business operations in regional Australia.
The requirements include minimum turnover thresholds of AUD 750,000 and processing times up to two years. Understanding these requirements is vital to your success. This piece guides you through Australia’s business visa requirements and helps you select the right path that matches your entrepreneurial experience in Australia, whether you want to buy an existing business or launch a new venture.
Understanding Australian Business Visa Types
Australian business visas fall into two main types: temporary and permanent. Each type helps businesses differently and gives you different paths to live in Australia permanently.
Temporary vs Permanent Business Visas
Temporary business visas let you stay in Australia for 4 to 5 years. Many people use these visas as a first step toward permanent residency. The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) stands out as it lets you start and run your business in Australia.
Permanent business visas give you the right to stay in Australia indefinitely with extra benefits. You get access to Medicare, Centrelink benefits and you can sponsor your family members. You also have the right to buy property and become an Australian citizen.
Key Business Visa Categories
The Business Innovation and Investment Programme includes these important visa types:
Business Innovation Stream (188A): You need to show you own a business that made at least AUD 750,000 in two of the last four tax years. Your combined business and personal assets must be worth AUD 1,250,000 or more.
Investor Stream: You just need to invest AUD 2.5 million in Australian investments. This stream means you must keep your business or investment going while you stay here.
Significant Investor Stream: You must invest AUD 5 million in approved significant investments. This visa helps you get permanent residency through the 888 visa subclass.
Premium Investor Stream: This targets wealthy individuals ready to invest AUD 15 million in Australian investments or give to good causes.
Which Visa Matches Your Goals?
The right visa depends on what you want to do and how much money you have:
Business owners who want to start or run companies in Australia should look at the Business Innovation Stream (188A). You’ll need support from a state or territory, but you can stay up to 5 years.
The Significant Investor Stream works well if you have substantial money to invest. It processes faster and gives you more flexibility with residency rules. The 888 visa gives you a clear path to permanent residency.
The Entrepreneur Stream might be perfect if you have innovative business ideas and funding support from others. This fits better for people with groundbreaking concepts rather than lots of personal money.
Essential Eligibility Requirements
Your Australian business visa application depends on meeting specific eligibility criteria. A clear understanding of these requirements will help you prepare a stronger application.
Age and Experience Criteria
Most business visa categories accept applicants under 55 years of age. State or territory governments might waive this age limit if your business brings exceptional economic benefits to their region.
Your English language skills must meet competency standards, particularly for the Entrepreneur stream. You will also just need sponsorship from an Australian state or territory government agency.
Financial Requirements
Each visa stream comes with different financial requirements:
- Business Innovation Stream requires AUD 1.5 million in net business and personal assets that you can legally transfer to Australia within two years
- Significant Investor Stream requires AUD 7.64 million investment in complying investment funds
- Entrepreneur Stream used to require AUD 200,000 in funding from specified entities
Your business must hit specific performance targets. The biggest problem lies in generating an annual turnover of at least AUD 3 million for two of the four fiscal years before invitation. You must also hold ownership interest in qualifying businesses with a minimum net value of AUD 400,000.
Business Track Record Needs
A successful business career is the life-blood of your application. You should prove your active involvement in daily business operations for at least two of the four fiscal years before receiving an invitation.
International Accounting Standards guide the preparation of your financial statements. These include balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and accompanying notes. Your documents should showcase your business ownership and management abilities.
The permanent residency path requires proof of combined business and personal assets in Australia worth at least AUD 250,000. Your business operations must also maintain a minimum annual turnover of AUD 300,000.
State and territory governments often set requirements beyond these simple standards. You should check specific regional criteria to ensure your application succeeds.
Required Documents Checklist
A complete documentation package serves as the life-blood of your Australian business visa application. Your chances of approval increase substantially with a well-laid-out set of documents.
Personal Documentation
Valid identification documents must lead your application. You need to submit colour copies of your current passport that show your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates. Your national identity card and any documents proving name changes will add credibility to your application.
You also need these essential items:
- Recent passport-sized photographs (35mm x 45mm) against a plain background
- Birth certificates and marriage certificates (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificates from countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months
- English language proficiency test results
- Professional qualifications and references
Business and Financial Papers
Your application’s foundation rests on financial documentation. You must show complete proof of your business activities and financial capacity through:
Business Ownership Evidence:
- Company registration certificates and business licences
- Partnership agreements or trust deeds with stamp duty payment proof
- Historical ASIC extracts covering two years before application
- Evidence of Australian Business Number (ABN)
Financial Records:
- Bank statements spanning six months that show consistent savings
- Taxation documents for the past three years
- Business financial statements including balance sheets and profit/loss statements
- Evidence of funds transfer capability to Australia
Businesses must provide documentation about employee details, including:
- Wage books and PAYG summaries
- Employment agreements
- Workers compensation statements
- Superannuation contribution records
Certified translations must accompany all non-English documents. Keep copies of lease agreements, business purchase contracts, and proof of stamp duty payments. Your visa application becomes stronger when you organise these documents properly and show clear evidence of your business plans and financial capacity.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The Australian business visa application process follows several important stages. A careful approach will give a smooth application experience.
Original Assessment
Your first step involves checking your passport validity and deciding if you need representation. You might want to think about working with a registered migration agent who can explain Immigration requirements based on your specific situation.
The business development agency in your chosen state or territory needs notification about your investment plans. You should complete Form 927 State/Territory notification and forward it to the right agency.
Document Preparation
A well-organised system using folders or binders helps sort documents by category. All non-English documents need translation by accredited professionals from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators working outside Australia must include their:
- Full name
- Address and telephone number
- Qualifications and experience
Submission Guidelines
ImmiAccount stands as the Department’s preferred submission platform. Applications get processed in order unless genuine circumstances require faster processing.
Your application moves quickly when you:
- Select the correct application form
- Submit the right application charge
- Provide answers to all relevant questions
- Upload supporting documents through ImmiAccount
After You Apply
The Department confirms receipt of your application and documents. Each application receives individual assessment, with processing times depending on:
- Application completeness
- Your response time to information requests
- External agency check duration
- Migration programme space availability
The smart approach avoids booking flights or making travel plans until you receive written visa confirmation. Case officers reach out directly if they need more details. Sometimes they make decisions based on your initial submission.
ImmiAccount serves as your main communication channel. The Department needs immediate updates about:
- New contact details or passport information
- Changes in relationship status
- Children’s births
Conclusion
Business visa applications in Australia need careful planning and attention to detail. The process might look complex at first glance. A clear understanding of each visa type’s requirements will help you make better decisions about your business trip to Australia.
Picking the right visa category that matches your goals and financial capacity is crucial. The Business Innovation Stream requires an AUD 750,000 turnover. The Premium Investor Stream needs an AUD 15 million investment threshold. Each path gives you distinct advantages.
Your success relies on proper document preparation and meeting eligibility criteria. The application must showcase your business experience, financial capacity, and your dedication to boost the Australian economy.
Visa Processing times change based on visa type and how complete your application is. Start collecting your documents early. Working with registered migration agents can help you understand specific requirements better.
Your documents should line up with Department guidelines. Keep communication channels open throughout the process. A well-laid-out application package will substantially boost your approval chances and help you establish your business presence in Australia faster.