The 'Talent and Innovation' visa category, 2026-27

What sits inside the Talent and Innovation category

The category groups the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858), the open pathway, with visas that no longer accept new applications: Global Talent, Distinguished Talent, and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), which closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024. Home Affairs' planning-levels page states that existing Global Talent and Distinguished Talent applicants are counted within this category, and that the 2026-27 figure includes 20 places for Business Innovation and Investment visas.

That mix matters for anyone reading the yearly figure as an invitation forecast. Some of the category's places go to applications already in the pipeline, so the total doesn't map cleanly onto how many National Innovation Visas will be granted to new applicants in a year. The published table doesn't separate the two.

The National Innovation Visa itself

The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 commenced on 6 December 2024. They renamed subclass 858 from Global Talent to National Innovation and made a written invitation from the Minister a requirement: you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and can only apply if invited, within the period stated in the invitation.

The core criteria in clause 858.212 of the Migration Regulations are an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research; still being prominent in that area; being an asset to the Australian community; having no difficulty obtaining employment or becoming established in Australia in that area; and a completed Form 1000 attested by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in the area. The area and achievements assessed are the ones stated in the invitation. Applicants under 18, or aged 55 and over, must also show they would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

Home Affairs publishes the order in which it prioritises EOIs on its National Innovation visa priorities page. Check that page for the current priority groups rather than relying on summaries elsewhere.

The 2026-27 numbers

Home Affairs' Permanent Program planning-levels table (page last updated 21 September 2026) lists the Talent and Innovation category at 5,300 places in 2024-25, 5,300 in 2025-26 and 3,500 in 2026-27. A footnote says the 2025-26 figure has been adjusted to reflect the category's current makeup, and another says the 2026-27 figure includes 20 places for Business Innovation and Investment visas.

The overall 2026-27 Permanent Program, announced on 12 May 2026, is 185,000 places, unchanged from 2025-26. Home Affairs describes the change to this category as "decreases to the planning level for the Talent and Innovation category, recognising the intention to focus on applicants with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement".

How the place count relates to invitations

The planning level is a ceiling for the year, not a forecast of invitations. An EOI is not a queue position that resolves with time: an application can only be made after an invitation, and invitations follow the priorities Home Affairs publishes for this visa.

The planning-levels page does not publish EOI or invitation counts. What it does show is that the 3,500 places for 2026-27 are shared between new National Innovation Visa grants and legacy Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and Business Innovation and Investment cases, so the places available to new invitees are fewer than the headline figure.

What's published, and what isn't

Published in primary sources: the National Innovation Visa regulations commenced on 6 December 2024 and require an invitation; the Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024; the Talent and Innovation planning level is 3,500 places for 2026-27, down from 5,300 in 2025-26; and Home Affairs' stated reason is a focus on applicants with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement.

Not published on the planning-levels page: how the 3,500 places split between new National Innovation Visa grants and legacy cases, or how many invitations will be issued in 2026-27.

What applicants should do

Whether your record fits the criteria in the Regulations, how to frame an EOI, and whether a different permanent pathway suits your circumstances all depend on your individual profile, and a general explainer can't answer them.

Preparing evidence of an internationally recognised, exceptional record, including a Form 1000 nominator with a national reputation in your area, is a substantial undertaking, and the category's places are limited.

A MARA-registered migration agent can review your achievements against the current criteria and priorities and explain how the National Innovation Visa compares with skilled or employer-sponsored routes for your case. Migratio lets you describe your situation once and compare consultation fees from MARA-registered agents who handle your visa type (comparing is free; consults are typically $150–$300 and you pay only if you book).

Is Talent and Innovation a new visa I can apply for?

No. It's a program-accounting category inside Australia's 2026-27 Migration Program planning levels, not a visa application type. The visa you'd actually apply for within this category is the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858).

What happened to the Global Talent visa?

Subclass 858 was renamed from Global Talent to the National Innovation Visa by regulations that commenced on 6 December 2024, and an invitation is now required before you can apply. Home Affairs says existing Global Talent and Distinguished Talent applicants are counted within the Talent and Innovation category and will not be adversely affected by the transition.

How many places does the Talent and Innovation category have for 2026-27?

3,500 places, according to Home Affairs' planning-levels table, down from 5,300 in 2025-26 (and 5,300 in 2024-25). The 3,500 includes 20 places for Business Innovation and Investment visas.

Do I need a high income to qualify for the National Innovation Visa?

The criteria in the Migration Regulations are about achievement, not salary: an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research, continued prominence in that area, and being an asset to the Australian community. Home Affairs publishes how it prioritises EOIs on its National Innovation visa priorities page; check it for any current benchmarks.

How selective is the National Innovation Visa?

You can only apply if invited, and the whole Talent and Innovation category has 3,500 places in 2026-27, shared with legacy Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and Business Innovation and Investment cases. Home Affairs' planning-levels page does not publish EOI or invitation counts.

Can Business Innovation and Investment (188/888) applicants still apply?

No. The Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applicants from 31 July 2024. Existing cases already in the pipeline continue to be processed and draw against the Talent and Innovation category's places, but no new applications can be lodged.