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Want to run a business in Australia?

Good news — Australia loves skilled founders and bold ideas. But the visa rules changed a lot in 2024. Some old options are closed. New ones opened up.

This guide tells you what is open right now. It covers the new visa options, the Skills in Demand Visa, the CSOL list, and how to go from a work visa to full permanent residency (PR).

Other related blog — Business and Investor Visa Guide Australia  : Requirements, Process, Costs & Expert Tips

1. What Changed in 2024?

The rules got a big update in late 2024. You need to know about these before you plan your move.

The Subclass 188E Visa Closed

The old Entrepreneur Visa was the Subclass 188E. It let founders come to Australia for up to four years to build a venture.

It closed on 31 July 2024.

The whole Business Innovation and Investment Program — the BIIP — shut its doors. No new 188 visa applications are being taken.

Already on a Subclass 188? You are safe. Your visa is still valid. You can still move to the Subclass 888 permanent visa when you are ready.

The Subclass 132 Also Closed

The Subclass 132 gave top business owners a direct path to PR.

It is now closed too. Both its streams shut as part of the 2024 reforms.

If you already hold this visa, your rights are not at risk.

What Is Open for Entrepreneurs Today?

Two solid paths are still open in 2025:

•       National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858): a permanent visa for top founders and innovators
•       Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): a work visa for skilled professionals with employer support

2. National Innovation Visa: Best for Outstanding Founders

The National Innovation Visa — or NIV — launched on 7 December 2024.

It is a permanent visa. Get it and you are a PR holder from day one. No waiting. No temp stage.

It replaced both the Global Talent Visa and the BIIP in one go.

Who Should Apply?

The NIV is for founders who have already made a real mark. Think big track record, not just a good idea.

You may be a good fit if you have:

•       Built and scaled a startup: with strong revenue or a successful exit
•       Created and sold IP: such as patents or licensed tech
•       Raised serious funding: from major investors or government-linked bodies
•       Won global press or top awards: in your field

Key Things You Need

To get an NIV invite, you must show:

•       A record of great work known well outside Australia
•       A nominator based in Australia: a citizen, a PR holder, or a top Australian firm
•       Plans to keep working at a high level once you arrive
•       Clear proof of the value you will add to Australia

There is no age cut-off. But the bar is high. You must send an Expression of Interest (EOI) first. The Department of Home Affairs then decides who gets an invite.

Which Sectors Get Priority?

The NIV favours people in fields that matter to Australia’s future:

•       Tech, AI, and cyber security
•       Clean energy and climate solutions
•       Health, biotech, and medical devices
•       Advanced manufacturing and aerospace
•       Fintech and capital markets
•       Research, education, and applied science

3. Skills in Demand Visa: Best for Skilled Entrepreneur-Professionals

Not every founder will qualify for the NIV. If you also hold a professional role, the Skills in Demand Visa may be your best bet.

This visa — the Subclass 482 — replaced the old TSS visa on 7 December 2024. It lets you live and work in Australia for up to four years. Your employer acts as your sponsor.

The Three Streams

Core Skills Stream

For workers in jobs on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Pay must be at least AUD 76,515 per year. Most skilled migrants use this stream.

Specialist Skills Stream

No job list needed here. Your pay just needs to top AUD 135,000 per year. Good for senior execs and niche specialists. Trades and driver roles do not qualify.

Essential Skills Stream

For lower-paid roles in key industries. Usually a formal deal between your employer and the government. Most entrepreneurs skip this one.

What Is CSOL?

The CSOL — Core Skills Occupation List — is a list of 456 jobs in demand across Australia.

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) built it from real workforce data. It went live on 7 December 2024 and replaced three older, messier lists.

What the 2024 Update Changed

•       70-plus new jobs added: including Data Analyst and Supply Chain roles
•       Work history cut from 24 months to 12 months: full-time work in the past five years
•       180-day grace period to find a new sponsor: if your employer ends your job
•       Every CSOL job now links to permanent residency: via the Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream

Do You Qualify? A Quick Check

Say yes to all of these and you are in a strong spot:

•       An approved Australian employer has offered you a job
•       That job is on the CSOL (or your pay tops AUD 135,000)
•       You have 12 months of full-time work in that role in the past five years
•       Your English score meets IELTS 5.0 or the same in another test
•       You pass the health and character checks
•       Your pay meets or beats the market rate for the role

4. How to Go from a Work Visa to Permanent Residency

Most entrepreneurs want to stay in Australia for good. Here are the five main ways to get there.

Path 1 — NIV: PR From Day One

The NIV gives you PR the moment it is granted. No wait. No temp stage. The fastest route for those who qualify.

Path 2 — Subclass 482 to Subclass 186

Work full-time for two years with one approved sponsor. Your employer then puts in a nomination. You apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). No points test. Your job must be on the CSOL.

Or — if you have three years of work in the field and a skills check — you can use the Direct Entry stream. You can even apply from outside Australia.

Path 3 — Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Score enough points and lodge an EOI through SkillSelect. Skills in Demand Visa holders often do well in invite rounds. Good if your employer cannot nominate you.

Path 4 — State Nomination (Subclass 190 or 491)

A state or territory can back your PR bid. The Subclass 190 leads straight to PR. The Subclass 491 is a regional visa with a PR path after three years.

States pick people with jobs that match local needs. Open to living outside a big city? This route can move fast.

Path 5 — Subclass 888 for Current 188 Holders

Already on a Subclass 188? The Subclass 888 is your PR route. You need to show you met your visa terms — business results, time in your state, and real local benefit.

Rules vary by stream. Talk to a migration agent before you lodge.

5. Five Tips to Lift Your Chances

1. Link Your Work to What Australia Needs

The NIV puts weight on sectors that drive growth here — tech, clean energy, health, and manufacturing. Show how your work fits these areas and what jobs or value you will create.

2. Get Your Evidence Ready Now

Start collecting these before you apply:

•       Awards or peer recognition at home or overseas
•       News coverage in well-known outlets
•       Patents, trademarks, or signed licences
•       Funding or investment records
•       Revenue growth data and team size figures
•       Letters from investors or top names in your field

3. Pick Your NIV Nominator Well

Your nominator must be Australian. Pick someone who knows your work deeply. A strong nominator with a focused letter can change the outcome of your EOI.

4. Check the CSOL Before You Sign Anything

If you are going the Subclass 482 route, confirm your job is on the CSOL before you agree to a role. Some jobs have extra rules. Finding out late wastes time and money.

5. Work With a Registered Migration Agent

Rules shift fast. An RMA tracks every update and applies current rules to your case.

At Arch Migration, we treat every client’s case as its own puzzle. We build applications that are clear, current, and complete.

6. Costs and Timeframes at a Glance

Fees change. Use this as a rough guide and always check the Department of Home Affairs site for the latest numbers.

Visa	Approx. Base Fee (AUD)	Typical Wait Time
National Innovation Visa (858)	Check DHA for current fee	Weeks to a few months
Skills in Demand — Core Skills (482)	~$4,115 main applicant	Weeks to a few months
Skills in Demand — Specialist Skills (482)	~$4,115 plus SAF levy	As fast as 7 days
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)	~$4,770 main applicant	6 to 18+ months
Subclass 888 (from Subclass 188)	~$4,240 to $9,455 by stream	12 to 24+ months

Extra costs to plan for: skills checks run $500–$1,000 and English tests cost around $350. Your employer also pays the SAF levy on top of these fees.

7. How Arch Migration Helps You

You run your business. We run your visa.

Our team of Registered Migration Agents works with founders and skilled workers who want a real future in Australia. We build a plan for each client — not a copy-paste job.

Here is what we do:

•       Map your best visa path across all current options
•       Check your job against the CSOL using the right ANZSCO code
•       Write and lodge your NIV EOI for maximum impact
•       Handle all sponsor and nomination steps for the Subclass 482
•       Plan your full PR journey — Subclass 186, 189, 190, or 191
•       Prepare your Subclass 888 if you are already on a Subclass 188

 

Contact :https://archmigration.com.au/contact-us/

📞 Call: +61 1300 050 536

📧 Email: enquire@amaes.com.au

📍 Address: Como Centre, Level 19, 299 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC 3141

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I still get an entrepreneur visa for Australia in 2025?

Yes — the options just look different now. The Subclass 188E shut in July 2024. Today, the top path for founders is the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858). It grants PR from day one for people with a strong global track record. If you can get employer support, the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) is also open — as long as your job is on the CSOL.

Q2. What is CSOL and why does it matter?

The CSOL is a list of 456 jobs that qualify for the Core Skills stream of the Subclass 482 visa. It went live in December 2024. It replaced three older lists that made the system hard to use. If your job is on the CSOL, you can apply for the Core Skills stream and have a clear link to PR via the Subclass 186. Always check your ANZSCO 2022 code first.

Q3. Can I get PR through the Skills in Demand Visa?

Yes. The most common way is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Work full-time for two years with one sponsor. Your employer then puts in a nomination. No points test is needed. You can also try SkillSelect and aim for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) if you score enough points.

Q4. My Subclass 188E was lodged before July 2024. What now?

Applications lodged before 31 July 2024 are still being processed. Your path to the Subclass 888 PR visa is intact. Keep meeting your visa terms and document your business activity well. If you withdrew after the cutoff, you may be due a partial fee refund — check with a migration agent.

Q5. What does Arch Migration do for entrepreneur visa clients?

We cover everything — from your first eligibility check to your PR grant. For NIV clients, we craft a strong EOI. For Subclass 482 clients, we handle CSOL checks, sponsor steps, and nomination papers. For Subclass 188 holders, we plan your Subclass 888 move. Get in touch to book your first consultation.

Wrapping Up

Australia is still one of the best places in the world to build a business and a life.

Yes, the 2024 reforms closed some old doors. But the doors that are open now are strong ones.

The National Innovation Visa is the top route for standout founders who want PR from day one. The Skills in Demand Visa is a clear, step-by-step path for skilled professionals with employer support. And the CSOL makes it easy to see which jobs unlock the door.

Find the right path for your profile. Build a strong case. Then act.

Arch Migration is here to help at every step. Reach out today.

other related blog: Business and Investor Visa Guide Australia: Requirements, Process, Costs & Expert Tips