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19 Feb, 2016

Australia seeks public comment on plan to launch “Entrepreneur visa”

Canberra, 18 February 2016, (Joint media release by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) – A consultation process for a new Entrepreneur visa will start today, seeking feedback on the proposed settings for the visa.

The Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, said we want to attract the best and brightest entrepreneurial talent and skills to Australia.

“It is critical for Australia’s prosperity and growth, that we not only tap into the best entrepreneurial minds in Australia, but we also make it easier for talent from overseas to contribute to this country’s innovative future,” Mr Pyne said.

“We are also keen to retain those educated and talented people, who have come to Australia and developed their knowledge base during their time in this country.”

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, said the visa would help promote innovation and encourage individuals to take part in the consultation process.

“Under the National Innovation and Science Agenda [NISA], the new Entrepreneur visa will facilitate the entry to Australia and stay of entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and financial backing from a third party,” Mr Dutton said.

“I encourage individuals to provide their feedback as part of the consultation process to ensure the visa achieves the desired outcome.”

The Entrepreneur visa will be introduced in November 2016.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection is seeking feedback on the proposed policy settings for the new visa – further information can be found on the Department’s website at: http://www.border.gov.au/about/reports-publications/discussion-papers-submissions

The Department also welcomes feedback from other interested parties, who may make submissions in response to a set of consultation questions available online at: http://www.border.gov.au/about/reports-publications/discussion-papers-submissions/entrepreneur-visa