Criteria:
you have business and/or personal assets of at least AUD$5,000,000 which are available for investment within the complying investment framework in Australia immediately prior to visa grant

you have an additional AUD$50,000 which is available for domestic and/or settlement purposes

you will maintain your funds in Western Australia on maturity of your complying investments

Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the long term economic benefit to the Western Australian economy being the prime factor considered for approval of State nomination.

What is the complying investment framework?
Under the complying investment framework, Significant Investor Visa (SIV) applicants will be required to invest at least AUD$5 million over four years in complying investments, which must now include:

at least AUD$500,000 in eligible Australian venture capital or growth private equity fund(s) investing in start-up and small private companies. (Within two years of 1 July 2015 the Government expects to increase this to $1 million for new applications as the market responds)

at least AUD$1.5 million in an eligible managed fund(s) or Listed Investment Companies (LICs) that invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)

a ‘balancing investment’ of up to AUD$3 million in managed fund(s) or LICs that invest in a combination of eligible assets that include other ASX listed companies, eligible corporate bonds or notes, annuities and real property (subject to the 10% limit on residential real estate)

Premium Investor Visa (PIV)
The Government intends to introduce a new Premium Investor Visa (PIV) from 1 July 2015, targeting talented entrepreneurs and innovators. The PIV will offer an accelerated 12 month pathway to permanent residency, for those meeting a AUD$15 million threshold. The PIV will be available at the invitation of the Australian Government only, with potential recipients to be nominated by Austrade. This program will be rolled out over the next year, focussing on attracting a small number of highly talented and entrepreneurial individuals.

A link to the Government’s announcement and further information on the new complying investment framework for the SIV and PIV can be found on the Austrade website. Information on the process of applying for a SIV can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Significant Investor Stream Visa 188 holders will become eligible for permanent residence under the 888 Significant Investor Stream once they have held their complying investment(s) in Australia for four consecutive years and met the relevant Department of Home Affairs residence criteria of 160 days accumulatively over four years.