The optical Stark effect in numerous low-J branch features in the Ω=0+ ← X3Σ0- band near 19040cm − 1 of nickel oxide, NiO, has been recorded and analyzed. The permanent electric dipole moment, μ→el, for the X3Σ0-(v=0) and [19.04] Ω=0+ states were determined to be 4.43±0.04 D and 1.85±0.16D, respectively. The measured dipole moments of NiO are compared to those from theoretical predictions and the trend across the 3d-metal monoxide series discussed. The field-free spectrum was analyzed to produce an improved set of fine structure parameters for the [19.04] Ω=0+ state.