Australia Business Visa Minimum Investment: What Still Applies?

There is no fixed investment amount that, by itself, qualifies a new applicant for Australian permanent residency. The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. The former AUD2.5 million and AUD5 million investment thresholds are historical requirements, not open offers for new investors.

If you are researching the Australia business visa minimum investment, first separate three goals: investing in a business, visiting Australia for business discussions, and qualifying for a migration visa. Each has different requirements. Owning assets or a company does not itself give you permission to live or work in Australia.

Is an Australian investment visa still open to new applicants?

The former BIIP entry streams under subclass 188 are closed to new applications. Home Affairs says applications submitted before the closure will continue to be processed under the applicable planning levels and processing priorities. Existing applicants and visa holders should check the rules for their own stream rather than assume the closure cancels their application or guarantees a permanent visa.

See the official BIIP closure guidance for the closure and information relevant to pending applications.

Historical minimum investment and asset requirements

Older websites often quote different figures because the requirements varied by stream and invitation date. An asset threshold, business turnover and an amount invested are different measures.

Former subclass 188 stream	Historical financial requirement	How to interpret it
Business Innovation, often called 188A	AUD1.25 million in net business and personal assets for invitations on or after 1 July 2021	An asset requirement, not an investment payment that purchased a visa
Investor, often called 188B	AUD2.5 million in complying significant investments for invitations on or after 1 July 2021	Investment composition and other visa criteria also applied
Significant Investor, often called 188C	AUD5 million in complying significant investments	Holding cash, buying a home or choosing any investment was not equivalent to meeting the complying investment rules

All three streams above are closed to new entry applications. These figures are not government application fees or a total migration budget. They exclude other costs and do not summarise every eligibility condition.

Business Innovation: assets were separate from turnover

For the later invitation cohort, the former Business Innovation stream required qualifying net business and personal assets of AUD1.25 million. It also required qualifying business turnover of AUD750,000 in each of two of the four fiscal years before invitation, together with ownership, nomination, points and other conditions. Meeting the asset figure alone was insufficient.

The official Business Innovation stream requirements distinguish the earlier and later invitation cohorts.

Investor and Significant Investor: complying investments mattered

The former AUD2.5 million Investor and AUD5 million Significant Investor requirements involved specified complying investments. They were not permission to select any asset and receive residency. A subsequent permanent visa required a separate assessment.

Existing applicants should use the official Investor stream and Significant Investor stream guidance for their invitation cohort before changing investments or acting on historical figures.

Business investor reviewing financial documents and minimum investment requirements for Australia

Does the National Innovation visa replace investment migration?

The National Innovation visa (NIV), subclass 858, may be relevant to some exceptional entrepreneurs and innovative investors. It is an invitation-only permanent visa, not a general substitute for the former investor streams.

Home Affairs focuses on internationally recognised exceptional and outstanding achievement and the contribution a candidate could make to Australia. Wealth or business ownership alone does not establish eligibility. There is no universal investment payment that guarantees an invitation or visa grant.

Examples of potential candidates include people with exceptional entrepreneurial achievements or a distinguished record in innovative investment. An ordinary business purchase should not be presented as equivalent to these achievements.

How the NIV application process works

1. Submit an expression of interest. Use the official process to present achievements and supporting information. An EOI is not a visa application and does not guarantee an invitation.
2. Wait for an invitation. Home Affairs considers candidates against its priorities. A candidate cannot lodge a valid NIV application merely by choosing to invest.
3. Apply within 60 days if invited. Lodge through ImmiAccount and provide the required evidence and completed Form 1000. The nominator must meet the applicable requirements, including having a national reputation in the same area of achievement.

An invitation does not itself establish that all visa requirements are met. Check the official NIV process and subclass 858 eligibility requirements before preparing an application.

What is the minimum investment in Australia for PR?

There is no amount that automatically converts a new investor into an Australian permanent resident. Property ownership, share purchases and company registration do not independently create PR eligibility.

The practical question is which visa, if any, matches your circumstances. Investment funds cannot replace the requirements of that visa.

Subclass 888 for qualifying applicants

The Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa, subclass 888, remains relevant to eligible applicants under its stream-specific rules. It is not a general entry route for someone who now wishes to buy an investment and obtain PR.

Eligibility commonly relates to the relevant subclass 188 stream. The Business Innovation stream also provides for qualifying subclass 444 holders and certain subclass 457 holders. Business, residence, investment and nomination requirements must be assessed for the individual stream. Do not assume that every subclass 888 applicant must previously have held subclass 188.

Consult the official subclass 888 guidance for the applicable pathway.

Other migration pathways require separate eligibility

Some business professionals may have a separate skilled or employer-sponsored pathway. Those pathways are based on their own criteria, rather than a purchase price for a business. A suitably qualified adviser can assess whether your occupation, qualifications, experience and circumstances support an available route.

Investor reviewing Australian permanent residency options and financial documents for business migration

Can foreign investors start a business in Australia?

Foreign investors may be able to establish or acquire an Australian business, subject to the applicable corporate, tax, licensing and foreign investment rules. The transaction and immigration assessments are separate.

• Commercial capital: premises, equipment, staff and working capital depend on the business. They are not a universal visa investment threshold.
• Regulatory approval: some investments require notification or approval. Requirements can depend on the investor, transaction, sector and national security considerations, not only the amount invested.
• Immigration permission: physically working in or managing the business in Australia requires permission for the intended activities. Company registration does not supply that permission.

Review the Australian Government's business investment guidance and obtain advice appropriate to the proposed transaction before committing funds. An approval under investment rules does not constitute a visa grant.

Which visa may suit a short business visit?

A short visit to investigate opportunities is different from migrating to operate a business. Depending on passport and other eligibility requirements, possible options can include the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Business Visitor stream, an ETA (subclass 601), or an eVisitor (subclass 651).

These options have different eligibility and application channels. They should not be treated as interchangeable products or described as investment-to-PR pathways.

Business visitor activities can include general business enquiries, negotiating or reviewing contracts, and attending conferences, trade fairs or seminars when the organiser does not pay you to participate. They do not include working for or supplying services to an Australian-based organisation or person, or selling goods or services directly to the public.

For example, discussing a potential partnership is different from performing operational work in that business. Check the official Business Visitor stream guidance and the conditions of the visa you intend to use. For an ETA, use the official Australian ETA app application channel.

How to plan without relying on an obsolete investment threshold

1. Define your goal. Decide whether you want a commercial investment, a short business visit, work permission or permanent migration.
2. Check the available visa first. Confirm that a pathway is open and assess its requirements before connecting a purchase to a migration outcome.
3. Budget separately. Distinguish business capital, official application charges and professional or support fees. No fee or capital payment guarantees approval.
4. Obtain appropriate advice. Use a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner for immigration assistance, and suitably qualified advisers for corporate, tax and investment matters.

Entrepreneur preparing a business investment plan with financial statements and startup cost estimates

Frequently asked questions

Can I get Australian PR by investing AUD500,000?

Investing AUD500,000 alone does not establish PR eligibility. You must meet the criteria of an available permanent visa pathway.

Is the AUD5 million Significant Investor visa still open?

No new entry applications are accepted under the former subclass 188 Significant Investor stream. Existing applicants and holders should check the rules relevant to their current position, including any eligible subsequent pathway.

Can buying a property or opening a company give me residency?

Neither transaction automatically grants residency or permission to work. Property or business approvals and visa requirements must be addressed separately.

Is the National Innovation visa an investment-for-residency visa?

No. It is an invitation-only pathway for people with exceptional achievements. Personal wealth or a particular investment amount does not by itself qualify a candidate.

Check the visa rules before making a commitment

For short travel, you can use the Australia visa requirements directory as a starting point and confirm the relevant rules with Home Affairs. A directory listing is not confirmation that your passport qualifies or that support is available.

Australian Immigration Services (auimmigration.org) is an independent private travel service, not an Australian Government authority. This article provides general information and does not offer investment migration, NIV or subclass 888 application services. Seek qualified immigration advice for a migration assessment.