Australian PR by investment: costs & timeline.
US$250,000 funds the Research & Enterprise programme: your Australian research project, venture development and specialist application support. Understand what is included, when payment is due and how the process progresses.
Programme expenditure, with no scheduled capital repayment. Australian permanent residency is granted only if your National Innovation Visa application is approved.
A coordinated programme of research, enterprise and immigration support for the principal applicant. Confirm the complete scope and any additional charges in your written agreement.
US$250,000 in programme expenditure.
The fee pays for coordinated research and enterprise activity and the specialist services supporting your application.
It is not a government-prescribed investment threshold. Your professional achievements, proposed contribution and NIV eligibility remain central to assessment.
Budget on this basis
- No scheduled capital repayment Plan for the programme fee to be spent on delivery rather than returned at a fixed date.
- No promised investment return The offer does not promise interest, dividends or a profitable exit.
- Payment supports delivery Programme funds are paid to the delivery provider under your agreement. Australia Residency does not receive or hold them.
- Admission comes before commitment Your profile is assessed and programme terms are reviewed before you proceed.
One coordinated programme. Specialist delivery.
The quoted programme scope brings together the research, business establishment and immigration work needed to support a suitable candidate.
Research project
Project development, Australian university R&D facilitation and management, and coordination of the research activity.
Venture development
A start-up business plan and incubation planning connected to your expertise and proposed Australian contribution.
Institutional coordination
Work to secure relevant institutional commitments, support letters and government agency nomination where appropriate. Outcomes remain subject to each institution’s decision.
Company establishment
Australian company incorporation, administration and basic corporate accounting and maintenance within the agreed service scope.
Incubation & project support
One year of start-up incubation support, access to the incubation platform and office headquarters for the Australian company, as specified in the agreement.
Immigration services
Specialist immigration services for the principal applicant, including preparation and coordination of the EOI and NIV application process.
The fee is paid at the start of the programme.
Payment timing and the point at which fees become non-refundable are different. You fund the programme upfront under the agreement; the refund milestone is explained below.
01 · Review & acceptance
Suitable candidates complete the assessment and intake process. If offered a place, review the term sheet, services and payment conditions before accepting.
02 · US$10,000 deposit
The standard offer requires signed acceptance within seven days and a US$10,000 deposit to secure your programme place. The deposit forms part of the US$250,000 fee.
03 · US$240,000 balance
The remaining programme fee is due within the agreed three-week payment period. Your term sheet sets the precise deadline and payment instructions.
Under standard terms, the full fee becomes non-refundable at invitation.
The proposed standard structure makes the full US$250,000 programme fee non-refundable when Home Affairs invites you to submit your NIV application.
Understand what that means
This milestone occurs before the final visa decision. If the visa is subsequently refused, the standard structure does not provide a refund of those programme fees.
An invitation is not visa approval or a pre-assessment of eligibility. Home Affairs still assesses the application and its supporting evidence, alongside health, character and other applicable requirements.
Before-invitation refunds, withdrawal, failure to obtain an invitation and any deductions depend on the signed agreement. Review those provisions before paying; do not assume a blanket refund promise.
Read the official invitation process ↗Plan in stages. Allow for government processing.
The programme’s supplied stage estimates indicate approximately 11–19 months including intake. This is an indicative planning range, not a guaranteed completion date or an official Home Affairs processing commitment.
Assessment, interview & agreement
Review your credentials, discuss the programme, complete the intake selection interview and consider the terms if a place is offered.
Prepare the project and application evidence
Immigration specialists prepare the EOI evidence while the delivery team coordinates the R&D institution, proposed project, business plan and nomination work. These activities are intended to run concurrently.
Submit the EOI and await an invitation
The programme estimate allows around two months for this stage. Home Affairs controls invitation selection and timing. An EOI does not guarantee an invitation, and this stage may take longer.
Apply for the NIV and await a decision
If invited, submit the visa application within 60 days, with the required Form 1000 and supporting documents. The programme estimates six to eleven months for this stage; the actual government decision may fall outside that range.
Good preparation helps keep the process moving.
Specialists coordinate the technical work. You supply the evidence, respond to requests and participate in the agreed programme activities.
- Your evidence Complete records of your qualifications, achievements and professional activity help assessment and preparation.
- Institutional decisions Research matching, contracts, support letters and nomination depend on the relevant organisations.
- Government selection and processing Invitation timing, visa assessment and requests for further information sit with Home Affairs.
- Personal and family documentation Medical checks, police certificates, translations and dependant evidence can affect preparation.
Know the commitment before you proceed.
Your written agreement should confirm the services, payment deadlines, refund provisions and any additional charges for your circumstances.
Is the US$250,000 returned after I obtain PR?
No scheduled capital repayment is offered. The programme fee funds research, enterprise development and specialist services. Budget for it as expenditure.
Is the US$10,000 deposit an extra charge?
No. It forms part of the US$250,000 programme fee, leaving a US$240,000 balance under the standard payment schedule.
Does the price include my entire family?
The supplied service scope includes immigration services for the principal applicant. Confirm dependant fees, government charges and other family-related costs in your written quotation.
Can I pay as each immigration milestone is reached?
The standard schedule requires the programme fee at the start. Milestone-based release from the provider’s holding account is different from paying in instalments throughout the immigration process.
When does the programme fee become non-refundable?
Under the proposed standard structure, the full fee becomes non-refundable when you receive the invitation to apply for the NIV. This is before visa approval. Your signed agreement governs the exact terms.
Is an invitation or approval guaranteed within the quoted time?
No. The timings are programme estimates. Home Affairs controls invitations and visa decisions. An EOI can remain active for two years without producing an invitation.
Do I pay anything to make an initial enquiry?
No programme payment is required to make the enquiry below. Start by establishing whether your background is suitable for further assessment.
Understand your fit. Then confirm the full commitment.
Tell us about your background and plans. We’ll explain the assessment process and help you understand the programme scope, payment terms and timing before you decide whether to proceed.
- Start with a short enquiry You do not need to upload your passport or CV to make first contact.
- Understand the fit before committing Suitable enquiries progress to a review of your credentials and a discussion of programme terms.
- One coordinated next step We connect suitable candidates with the specialists responsible for assessment and delivery.
US$250,000 programme commitment. No programme payment is required to make this enquiry. Formal admission and visa approval are separate decisions.
Request your eligibility assessment
A few details about you and your professional background will help us identify the appropriate next step.
