Global Talent Independent Program

The aim of this program is to attract highly skilled and talented individuals from specific targeted industries to permanently settle in Australia.

Through the Global Talent Program, Australia is seeking highly skilled and talented people from across the globe in specific industries for priority processing so that they may settle in Australia.

It is divided into two streams:

1. Global talent employers sponsored (GTES)
2. Global Talent Independent program visa (GTI)

1. Global Talent Employers Sponsored Visa (GTES):

It is for applicants that are highly talented in their skill globally and are not covered by temporary skills shortage program, which is also known as TSS.

It allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly skilled niche positions that cannot be filled:

• by Australian workers or

• through other standard visa programs – in particular, the Short-term stream and Medium-term stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.

Before the Department enters into an agreement, businesses must be able to demonstrate that they cannot fill the position through existing skilled visa programs.

Employers will then be able to sponsor workers for a TSS visa under the GTES.

2. Global Talent Independent program visa (GTI)

About this visa:

Every year five thousand (5000) places are made available for highly skilled and talented individuals in one of ten (10) priority sectors in Australia.

The Benefits:

1. You will receive priority processing of your visa.

2. There is also no age limit for applicants.

3. You do not need an Australian employer to sponsor you with a job.

4. It is not a point tested visa.

5. You do not need exceptional English skills. You are only required to score 4.5 on the IELTS International English Language Test.

6. You can be residing in Australia or offshore when you apply.

7. This visa allows you to stay in Australia permanently.

8. You can live and work anywhere in Australia.

9. You may enrol in Australia’s public health care program.

10. Your children will receive free State schooling.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You will have to be highly skilled and internationally recognised in one of the following target sectors:

The target sectors are:

• Agriculture technology
• Financial technology
• Medical technology
• Cyber security
• Energy and Mining Technology
• Space and Advanced Manufacturing
• Quantum Information
• Advanced Digital
• Data Science
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

2. Candidates should have the ability to attract a salary at the income threshold of AUD153,600. (This figure is reviewed annually on 1 July.)

What does this mean?

It means that:

• Your current salary must be AUD 153, 600 or more, or
• Your future job offers outlining your remuneration should reflect a salary of AUD 153,600 or more, or
• You must be a high performing recent PhD or Masters by research or Honours graduate in one of the target sectors.

3. As part of the application, you will need to be endorsed by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same field as you and is either:

4. an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident

5. eligible New Zealand citizen

6. an Australian organisation with a national reputation in relation to your area of talent.

Who could be a nominator?

• Employer
• An industry colleague
• An academic colleague
• or even an industry body.
• The Australian Computer Science Society (ACS) will nominate individual with a technology focus who do not have a nominator. You will however first need to obtain your unique identifier, then email the ACS who will advise on the next steps.

4. You will have to meet the character, security and integrity checks that will apply to all applicants.

Pre -visa application:

1. Before you apply for this visa you will need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration under with the Global Talent Independent Program.

2. If you meet the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, you will be provided with a unique identifier number which provides priority processing for a Distinguished Talent visa application.

3. Should you receive a unique identifier number it will mean that you are now invited to apply for the visa.

Visa application:

1. Once you have received your unique identification number, you will have (60) sixty days to apply for your visa.

2. When lodging your application, ensure you choose the correct visa subclass on the application form, depending on whether you are in or outside of Australia, otherwise your application will not be valid

3. If you are outside of Australia at the time you apply for the visa, lodge a Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent visa.

4. If you are in Australia at the time you apply for the visa lodge a Subclass 858 Distinguished Talent visa.

Do you think you could be eligible for this visa?

If so, please seek the advice of one of our registered immigration agents or lawyers before commencing with this visa. Book a confidential consultation with us so that we may provide you with a detailed assessment of your case.

Author:

Yossi Witkowsky is an Australian Immigration Lawyer &

Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 2015616)

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is general information and is provided for educative or information purposes only. The content does not constitute legal advice, guidance or recommendations and should not be relied upon as such. The information provided herein is subject to change and is only valid as on the date it is published. You should not solely rely on this article and you should seek advice from one of our registered migration agents. Information contained herein could be subject to errors and / or omissions and should be verified by consulting with one of our professional migration agents.