Eligibility requirements for the Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) - Temporary Activity visa
You must ultimately meet all the Department of Home Affairs criteria and South Australian Government requirements for the Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) – Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa.
Applicants will be applying under a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa under the Australian Government Endorsed Event stream. The duration of the visa is up to three years, depending on the time of visa grant.
Please read through the South Australian Government endorsement requirements below and review the document checklist before applying.
The Federal Government
The criteria for this visa includes:
- Have an innovative idea with a supporting business plan;
- Be under 45 years of age at time of application;
- Demonstrate at least a minimum of Vocational level English;
- Meet all health, character and financial requirements detailed by the Department of Home Affairs;
- Be endorsed by a South Australian Government entity (Department for Innovation and Skills) to take forward an innovative idea in South Australia;
- Have sufficient funds* to support yourself and any eligible dependant family members included in your application.
* The Department of Home Affairs may ask you to provide evidence of funds, such as an employment contract, bank statements or a letter from your financial institution stating your financial position. Allowances, accommodation and other assistance from your employer may also be considered by the Department of Home Affairs when looking at your ability to support yourself.
South Australian Government Endorsement Requirements
2.1 You must be under 45 years of age at the time of the endorsement decision and subsequent visa application.
2.2 You must factor in Immigration SA’s endorsement application processing times as there is no fast-tracking of applications.
- IELTS - International English Language Test System (Academic or General)
- OET - Occupational English Test (For Health Professionals only)
- PTE Academic - Pearson Test of English Academic
- TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet Based Test
- CAE - Cambridge English: Advanced
- Cafés and restaurants
- Consulting firms/companies
- Employment agencies
- Export/import businesses/companies
- Franchises
- Foot reflexology
- Massage parlours
- Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Herbal dispensing businesses
- Geomancy/fengshui business
- Retail
- Student visas (including subclasses 500, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574)
- Subclass 403
- Subclass 771
6.1 You can demonstrate in-depth knowledge, expertise or track record in the product or service you are targeting;
6.2 Your business concept demonstrates a clear, competitive advantage, genuine innovation, novel intellectual property or high barriers to entry;
6.3 You commit to developing a start-up project in South Australia in ANY industry sector. However, priority will be given to proposals in the industry sectors/areas listed under item 7 below.
6.4 You have secured the support of a selected service provider who/that has reviewed and approves of your project proposal, idea or concept (Immigration SA will forward your application to your selected service provider)
6.5 Your project has strong potential to create local employment and export revenue for South Australia.
6.6 Your project will have at least 50% of its assets and at least 50% of your staff located in South Australia during the period of your Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa.
- Defence and Space
- Cyber Security, Big Data, Digital and Blockchain
- Food, Wine and AgTech
- Health and Medical Technology
- Robotics
- Media and Film
8.1 You must ensure that you have sufficient funds for settlement when you arrive in South Australia (for yourself and any dependants included in your application). Immigration SA requires evidence of financial capacity and will seek this evidence, as well as additional information if required, at a later stage. The requirement depends on whether you are applying offshore or onshore.
8.2 Financial requirement:
You need to have combined cash and assets within the range listed in the table below. As a guideline, when you arrive in South Australia, Immigration SA recommends that offshore applicants have at least $20,000 in cash and onshore applicants have at least $5,000 in cash for settlement. You should not dispose of any assets before the visa is granted.
| Family composition | Offshore Applicant: Combined cash & assets requirement |
Onshore Applicant: Combined cash & assets requirement |
| Main applicant only | Total figure between AUD $ 20,000 - 25,000 |
Total figure between AUD $5,000 - 10,000 |
| Main applicant plus one (1) dependant | Total figure between AUD $25,000- 30,000 |
Total figure between AUD $ 10,000 - 15,000 |
| Main applicant plus two (2) dependants | Total figure between AUD $30,000 - 35,000 |
Total figure between AUD $15,000 - 20,000 |
| Main applicant plus three (3) dependants | Total figure between AUD $35,000 - 40,000 |
Total figure between AUD $20,000 - 25,000 |