What's New for Business Visas

SkillSelect – 27 January 2012

SkillSelect is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI).  People intending to migrate to Australia may be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they may be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.

SkillSelect will be implemented on 1 July 2012.
See: SkillSelect

Introduction of Fraud Public Interest Criterion – 5 November 2011

From 5 November 2011, Fraud Public Interest Criterion (PIC) will apply to all visa subclasses in the Business Skills Program.
See: Fraud Public Interest Criterion

Changes to Business Skills visas effective 19 April 2010

On 19 April 2010, the following changes to the Business Skills Migration Program come into effect:

• increased minimum net business and personal assets required (visa subclasses 160, 161, 163, 164)
• increased business ownership share required (visa subclasses 132, 160, 163, 890, 892, 845, 846)
• removal of the senior manager option of the subclass 163 visa

See: Changes to the Business Skills Migration Program ( 96KB PDF file)

Information regarding business brokers

The Australian government does not endorse any business broker organisation to sell Australian businesses to potential business migrants.

There is no Australian government approved list of businesses for potential business migrants to purchase.

If you are a business owner, investor or senior executive overseas and you intend to migrate to Australia, you will not be guaranteed permission to enter Australia to operate a business unless you are granted an appropriate visa. You should take this into account before purchasing a business in Australia.

You may require Foreign Investment Review Board approval to purchase a business or property in Australia.
See: Foreign Investment Review Board

Australian government information on our business environment can be found online.
See: business.gov.au