The 162 Investor (provisional) visa has been replaced from 2012 with the Subclass 188 Investor stream visa. The key requirements for the 188 Investor are at least 2.25 million Australian dollars equivalent in total net assets, at least AU$1.5 million available that has been accumulated through active business ownership or investment management, age under 55 (possible for exceptions) and state nomination. This is a four-year temporary visa that requires the investment to be held for four years in a government bond, with at least 24 months accumulated residence in Australia during the four years. Additional state nomination requirements will apply so it's important to understand these. For example, Victoria requires additional investment or business activity in addition to the AU$1.5 million bonds. Do note that with the current low-interest rates in Australia, the returns on the bond are very low, likely to be 1% or less.
