Established Business in Australia Visa

Duration and Conditions

The visa grants permanent residence status.

Do I Apply in Australia or Overseas?

The application must be lodged in Australia. The applicant must have been in Australia for at least 9 months during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the making of the application. Note that the applicant must not hold a special purpose, diplomatic, domestic worker or transit visa.

Spouse and children

Your spouse and dependent children may migrate to Australia with you in the same visa class. All family members must satisfy health and character criteria. A "dependent" child is a natural or adopted child (of you or your spouse) younger than 18 years who is wholly and substantially in your or your spouse's daily care and control. Children 18 years and older, who are still dependent on you or your spouse for financial, psychological or physical support may also be included. A child who is married is no longer a dependent child.

Criteria

1. You have had (and continue to have) an ownership interest in 1 or 2 established main businesses in Australia for 18 months immediately before applying.

   Note: ownership interest is defined as an interest in a business as:

   • a shareholder in a company that carries on the business; or

   • a partner in a partnership that carries on the business; or

   • the sole proprietor of the business, including such an interest held indirectly through one or more interposed companies, partnerships or trusts.

   Note: main business is defined as a business in which:

   • the applicant maintains or has maintained direct and continuous involvement in management of the business from day to day and in making decisions affecting the overall direction and performance of the business; and

   • the value of the ownership interest of the applicant (or the applicant and his/her spouse together) in the business was at least 10% of the total value of the business.

2. You, or you and your spouse together, have for the last 12 months held net assets in Australia of at least AUD$250,000.

3. The total value of the net assets of your (or you and your spouse's) business/s for the last 12 months was at least AUD$100,000.

4. You have had a successful overall business career.

5. You must also pass a Business Skills Points Test (pass mark 105 points). You can check your score or review the points table online from our site.

Note that business migration can be extremely complex, and even determining whether you have a good chance of qualifying can be difficult. In addition, you may be able to qualify in a number of different business migration categories. Feel free to send us an email inquiry or call us on +61-2-9230-0888 if you would like us to assess your likely eligibility for business migration or if you would like our assistance with your application.