About the SIV program
The Significant Investor Visa (SIV) is a Federal Government initiative designed to attract high net worth individuals from other countries who wish to seek permanent residency in Australia. SIV is a stream within the Australian Government's Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (Subclass 188) visa and the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (Subclass 888) visa.
The Australian Government introduced the SIV in 2012 as a way to provide a boost the economy and drive innovation through competing effectively for high net worth individuals seeking investment migration.
SIV holders are required to invest at least $5 million into complying investments for a minimum of four years before being eligible to apply for a permanent visa.
The SIV complying investment rules were changed in 2015 by the Australian Government and from 1 July 2015, SIV applicants are required to invest at least $5 million in complying investments, which must include:
At least A$500,000 in eligible Australian venture capital or growth private equity (VCPE) fund(s) investing in start-up and small private companies;
At least A$1,500,000 in an eligible managed fund that invests in emerging companies; and
A 'balancing investment' of up to A$3,000,000 in managed funds that invest in a combination of eligible assets that include Australian listed securities, eligible corporate bonds or notes, annuities and real property (subject to the 10% limit on residential real estate).
A summary of the complying investment framework is available on the Austrade website
SIGNIFICANT INVESTOR VISA
SIV complying funds
The following funds have been designed specifically for SIV investors and focus on SIV compliance and capital security.
VCLP (Mandatory 10% investment)
Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) Mandatory 10%
The SIV complying investment rules require a mandatory minimum investment of at least 10% ($500,000) into a venture capital or private equity fund. Moelis Australia offers an unconditionally registered Australian domiciled Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) that’s been designed specifically for SIV investors. The VC Fund targets Australian-based private companies (unlisted) across a range of industries, including agriculture, technology, food, health, education and tourism.
Emerging Companies/Small Caps (Mandatory 30% investment)
Emerging Companies/Small Caps Fund Mandatory 30%
The SIV complying investment rules require a mandatory minimum investment of at least 30% ($1.5 million) in a managed fund that invests in Australian Emerging Companies (“Small Caps”). Investments must focus on ASX-listed companies that have a market capitalisation of less than $500 million, however a maximum of 20% can be invested in Australian unlisted companies. Moelis Australia offers a Small Caps Fund that has been designed specifically for SIV investors.
Most companies in Australia offer a range of investment options for the balancing component of the SIV complying investment framework (60% or $3 million), including commercial property, corporate bonds and listed
