To qualify for NSW nomination, you must show that your complying investments will make a contribution to the NSW economy.

NSW will refuse your nomination application for a permanent visa (subclass 888) if you cannot show your complying investments meet the following criteria:

Venture Capital and Growth Private Equity investment

At least 50% of your venture capital component must be invested in: 

• a venture capital fund that makes eligible investments in businesses headquartered in NSW; and

• the general partner of the venture capital fund maintains an office in NSW 

Emerging companies

At least 50% of the emerging companies component must be invested in securities issued by a company or trustee headquartered in NSW, that are either: 

• quoted on ASX Limited; or  

• securities (Australian non-ASX quoted securities) quoted on an Australian securities exchange other than ASX limited 

Balancing investment

At least 50% of your balancing investments must bring benefits to NSW. This can be shown where:

• the funds have an office in NSW; or

• the business of underlying investment is headquartered in NSW; or

• the business activities of underlying investment are of economic benefit to NSW

NSW defines 'headquartered in NSW' as:

• having an ABN registration address in NSW; and

• a sufficiently significant proportion of the company’s overall activities are in NSW as to merit it being described as a NSW company; and

• the company’s activities are substantial in NSW and are not merely peripheral activity of the company 

Living in NSW

You must have a genuine commitment to reside in NSW and contribute to NSW through your investment activity.

Points test

Your SkillSelect EOI must show a minimum score of 65 points. Applications showing the following will be prioritised:

• Points in investor experience, or

• 35 points in financial assets, or

• Points for business innovation qualifications

Regional NSW target sectors include those for Sydney in addition to:

• Technology-enabled primary industries

• Critical minerals

• Recycling and waste management

Sydney target sectors include:

• Advanced manufacturing

• Food and beverage manufacturing

• Agricultural technology

• Aerospace and defence

• Renewable energy and sustainability

• Emerging digital technology

• Cyber security

• Medtech