Main Applicant Eligibility

Below are the requirements you must meet to be eligible for an Established Business in Australia visa. You must provide evidence of each of the requirements with your application.
See: Information Form 1215i Independent Executives and permanent residence ( 76KB PDF file)

Appropriate visa holder

You are the holder of a temporary resident visa, which is not a special purpose visa (Border visa, Diplomatic visa, Domestic Worker visa, Transit visa, MaritimeCrew visa or Superyatcht Crew visa) and you do not hold a bridging visa.

Business success

You have an overall successful business career.

Time in Australia

You have been in Australia for at least 272 days (approximately nine months) in the 12 months before you apply.

Ownership interest

You have had and continue to have, an ownership interest and direct and continuous management, in up to two actively operating main business in Australia for at least 18 months immediately before you apply. You must own at least:

• 51 per cent of the business where the turnover is less than AUD400 000 per annum
• 30 per cent of the business where the turnover is AUD400 000 or more per annum
• 10 per cent where the business is a publicly listed company.

A transitional provision is available if you have purchased a main business in Australia prior to 19 April 2010 and you are applying for this visa. Under these circumstances a minimum of 10 per cent ownership in a main business is required.

Significant assets

Your (or your and your partner's) total assets in Australia for the 12 months prior to applying were greater than AUD250 000.

Business assets

Your (or your and your partner's) total net assets in your main business (or two main businesses) in Australia for the 12 months prior to application were greater than AUD100 000.

Business involvement

You have been actively involved in, and directly responsible for, the day to day management and overall performance of your main business (or two main businesses).

Acceptable business record

You (or your partner) have never been involved in unacceptable business activities in Australia.

Points test

You must score at least 105 points in the established business in Australia points tests (the department will work out your points score from the information you give in your application). You can complete a preliminary assessment of your points score.
See: Points Test

Health requirement

You must meet certain health requirements and may need to undergo a health examination. Please do not undertake a health check unless requested to do so.
See: Health Requirements for Visa Applicants

Character requirement

All family members must be of good character to enter Australia.
See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

Australian Values Statement

If you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

The Life in Australia book provides more information on the values that Australians share and their way of life.
See:
Australian Values - Overview
Life in Australia Book

Application document checklist

The checklist provides all the information and supporting documents that you may be asked to provide with your application.
See: Application document checklist ( 59KB PDF file)

Before lodging an application, please read all related requirements.
See: Eligibility