Recognising the competition for the best and the brightest around the world, Australia has announced two programs to attract global talent.
The Global Talent visas provide a unique opportunity to highly skilled individuals
Global Talent Scheme
Having recognised the competition for global talent, Australia has created two unique visa categories with the intention of incentivising global talent to relocate to Australia. These visas allow streamlined pathways to permanent residence, and can often side steps conventional requirements (e.g. age or occupation).
Target Market
- high skilled individuals in specific industries
- entrepreneurs / founders
- employers looking to secure exceptional talent in “off-list” occupations
Stream types
- Global Talent Independent program
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored program
Eligibility
Global Talent Independent (GTI)
Designed to attract highly talented individuals, with entrepreneurial ideas and cutting-edge skills within target industry sectors, who can contribute to Australia’s economy by driving innovation and supporting the creation of local jobs.
Application process
- expression of interest (EOI) should be made by the individual through the Department’s contact form (here)
- once unique identifier is obtained, you can apply for a Global Talent visa application through the Department’s contact form
- you will need to be endorsed by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same field as you and is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation
Target sectors
- Resources
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Energy
- Health Industries
- Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
- Circular Economy
- DigiTech
- Infrastructure
- Tourism
- Financial Services and FinTech
- Education
Expected salary
- Candidates should demonstrate an ability to expect an attractive salary of above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (see here)
Eligibility
Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES)
The Global Talent Employer Sponsored program 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). The program has two streams, the “Established business” stream and the “Startup” stream.
Established business (eligibility)
Company requirements:
- access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians
- Labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement
- the employer must be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws
- emplyer must be publicly listed or have an annual turnover of at least AUD4 million for each of the past 2 years
- employer must be endorsed as a TSS accredited sponsor
Visa requirements:
- must meet health, character and security requirements
- no familial relationship with directors/shareholders
- qualifications must be commensurate with the highly skilled role
- at least 3 years work experience directly relevant to position
- capacity to pass on skills/develop Australians
- position must have minimum annual earnings equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold (see here)
Startup (eligibility)
Company requirements:
- demonstrate that access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians
- Labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement
- the employer must be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws
- operates in a technology based or STEM-related field (eg digital, biomedical, agtech)
- Independent startup advisory panel will assess and endorse the business as a viable and genuine startup
- have either received an investment of at least AUD $50,000 from an investment fund registered Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership have either received an investment of at least AUD $50,000 from an investment fund registered as an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant
Visa requirements:
- must meet health, character and security requirements
- no familial relationship with directors/shareholders
- qualifications must be commensurate with the highly skilled role
- at least 3 years work experience directly relevant to position
- capacity to pass on skills/develop Australians
- minimum annual earnings at the market salary rate, but not less than AUD $80,000. This can include equity, but must have a cash component that is no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently AUD $53,900)
Established business stream (benefits)
- access up to 20 positions per year (applicant and position criteria must be satisfied on each occasion)
- flexibility in certain visa criteria, including access to 4 year TSS visas
- transitional pathway to permanent residence after 3 years, including age cap concessions
- simpler agreement applications and faster processing of agreements
- if the position ceases, the visa holder will have 60 days to find a new sponsor and a new visa or depart Australia
Startup stream (benefits)
- access up to 5 positions per year (applicant and position criteria must be satisfied on each occasion)
- flexibility in certain visa criteria, including access to 4 year TSS visas.
- transitional pathway to permanent residence after 3 years, including age cap concessions
- simpler agreement applications and faster processing of agreements.
- if the position ceases the visa holder will have 60 days to find a new sponsor and a new visa or depart Australia
Global Talent Scheme
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I commence work before my visa application is approved?
Unless you have an existing visa with work authorisation, you must not commence work with your employer until your visa is approved.
What is an eligible startup for the startup stream?
This stream is for startups operating in a tech-based or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field.
Startups must be endorsed by the independent GTES startup advisory panel.
What is an established business?
The Established Business stream lets employers who are accredited sponsors employ workers with cutting-edge skills to help innovate in an established business and make Australian businesses and their Australian employees the best at what they do.
Can I include my family?
Yes, you generally can include your spouse/partner and children in your visa application. They will receive the same visas as you.
There are specific requirements for children over the age of 18 to demonstrate dependency.
Children 23 years or above cannot be included except in very limited circumstances.
I have a dependent partner, can they work?
Yes, your partner will have full work authorisation in Australia which means they can work for any employer.
Can my children study?
Yes. However, different States/ Territories in Australia have different requirements and fees may be applicable. We strongly recommend that you explore this with the education provider directly.
Where can I get more information about the South Australia pilot?
You can read more about the South Australia pilot here.
How do I apply for the Global Talent visa through the Global Talent Independent Program?
To be eligible to lodge (apply for) a Global Talent visa through the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program you must be formally invited by the Department.
Candidates can first submit an Expression of Interest through the Global Talent contact form (select option 1). Please follow the questions step-by-step, noting the qualifications questions.
Once invited, you can lodge the visa application and/or additional documents via ImmiAccount.
If you have submitted your visa application via the Global Talent contact form and need to add additional documents you can send them to [email protected].
How do I lodge additional information after I've submitted my expression of interest?
Please send them to [email protected] and they will be added to your case.
To ensure your documents can be viewed, please do not provide them in .zip files or cloud-based hyperlinks.
How long will a global talent unique identifier and invitation be valid?
An invitation is usually valid for 12 months. However, the Department encourages you to proceed with lodging an application via ImmiAccount, as soon as possible.
Who can be a nominator for the Global Talent visa?
In order to apply for a Global Talent visa you must be nominated by an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field as you. The nominator needs to attest to your achievements and international standing and is not required to provide you with employment or assist you to become established in Australia.
Note that you cannot change your nominator once you have lodged your visa application.
Do I need to have my health examinations completed before lodging the application?
No. You will ordinarily be notified to undertake the health examinations after lodging your application successfully. When you are requested to undergo medicals, you will be provided with a HAP ID and a list of where the appointment can be undertaken.
Do I need to have all my police clearances issued before lodging the application?
No. You will be notified to provide police clearances from all the countries/regions where you have been residing for over 12 months (included) cumulatively in the past 10 years.
Processing time for obtaining police clearances in some countries/regions can be very long. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as you lodge your visa application.
If a letter from the Department is required to apply for a penal clearance, you can contact [email protected] or reply to the invitation email sent to you by the department. You will need to provide your name and the unique identifier in your email.
Disclaimer
The information contained here is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or give rise to an attorney-client relationship between you and our firm. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more indepth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances conducted by competent professionals, and (iii) does not represent an opinion from Hannan Tew or any of its agents with regard to the laws of any of the jurisdictions concerned. The information does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.
What can we do for you?
With extensive experience representing the world’s largest corporations, SMEs, and start ups, our staff are well placed to assist with all issues in relation to the employer sponsored visa process, including: business sponsorship applications, nomination applications, compliance and sponsorship bars.
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