Global Talent Visa Australia

GTI Program to Close at End of 2024

As at the end of December 2024, and according to Australia’s Migration Strategy, the government will launch the new National Innovation visa, a replacement to the Global Talent visa and the Business Innovation and Investment visa programs (BIIP). This was also highlighted in the recently released federal budget for the Year 2024 - 2025.  

The Government has reduced the number of places under the Global Talent visa to 4,000 for 2024-25 (down from 5,000).

Exceptional Talent - GTI

Exceptional Talent is where a Professional Skilled worker has the drive to succeed and make a difference, and these Talented People have demonstrated their ability to:

• Generate multiple jobs particularly in areas that fill critical supply chain and talent gaps
• Serve as a leader in your field with international distinction
• Commercialise your ideas at scale
• Make your mark as an innovator or serial entrepreneur
• Have been recognised with international distinction as a leader in culture, science, the arts, or commercial enterprise
• Have the potential to make a significant economic impact
• Act as a connector between industries
• Bring exceptional new skills and knowledge to Australia
• Create a vision for how your future success contributes to Australia’s future success
• Contribute to the relevant industry ecosystem in Australia
• Obtain employment or become established in your field

Benefits - Global Talent Independent Program

The benefits of the Global Talent independent program include the following:

• Streamlined visa pathway - facilitated through the Global Talent, Subclass 858 visa program.
• Priority processing - complete applications expected to be finalised within one month.
• Permanent visa - the program provides permanent residency on grant of the visa.
• Live and work anywhere in Australia.

Target Sectors - Global Talent Visa (GTI)

The following are the Sectors of Employment, which will be targeted for the GTI Program:

1. Resources - This sector includes the following specialisations:

• geology and metallurgy
• resource waste management
• automation, connectivity, industry 4.0 skills
• beneficiation technologies (for example, improving the economic value of ore)
• energy saving technologies for extracting and processing ores:
• ore body mapping
• geophysical tools and drilling
• mineral refinement
• automated trucks and robotic equipment
• grinding and processing technologies
• exploration services
• market intelligence
• technical equipment manufacturing

2. Agri-food and AgTech - The application of technology to agriculture and food production. This sector revolves around modern technology and innovations together with traditional agriculture (includes horticulture and aquaculture) at all stages of the food supply chain including production, supply, demand and distribution. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• agricultural data analytics
• biologists/biotechnologist/synthetic biology specialists
• blockchain technology
• commercialisation experience within the industry
• biosecurity, disease management and prevention
• alternate proteins for human and animal consumption
• foodtech
• precision engineering
• product packaging, authentication and verification
• predictive analytics for geospatial analysis, crop management and climatic forecasting
• wearable technologies, including trackers
• technologies for farm management, weather, seed optimisation, fertiliser and crop inputs, and irrigation, including drones, robotics and related capabilities
• precision measurement and/or application of farm inputs such as nitrogen and pesticides, gene editing, nanomaterials and synthetic biology

3. Energy - the development and improvement of energy and mining technologies. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• advanced visualisation technology
• artificial intelligence and machine
• learning technologies
• automation and robotics (for example, smart sorting technologies for recycling)
• traceability technologies (for example, experience with sophisticated material trading systems that make material sources more transparent to consumers)
• hydrogen technology
• clean technologies, renewables and hybrids (including solar, wind and wave power)
• battery/energy storage design (specialised, grid-scale and precursors for batteries)
• bioenergy and biofuels
• micro-grid design

4. Health Industries - The application of technology to research or medical practices, with a focus on making medicines or medical devices more effective, accessible and affordable through new technology, knowledge and techniques. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• antimicrobial resistance
• biochemistry and cell biology
• biostatistics
• biotechnology
• biomedicine and bioengineering
• cell and gene therapies - genomics
• clinical trials
• commercialisation experience in the health industry
• digital health
• healthcare entrepreneurship
• health economics
• implantable and wearable devices (3D printed devices, bionics and prosthetics)
• infectious disease prevention
• medical devices
• medical physics
• microbiology and immunology
• nanotechnology and genomics
• neuroscience and neurology
• pharmaceuticals
• precision medicine
• point of care diagnostics
• regenerative medicine

5. Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space - The industries include: Space technology and manufacturing involving a highly skilled and innovative workforce and Advanced manufacturing across the entire value chain of manufacturing including research, design, logistics, and after sales service of manufacturing products. This sector includes the following specialisations:

Defence

• advanced materials
• combat system integration
• complex design and engineering
• emerging military technology
• guided munitions
• intelligence analytics
• modern training and simulation
• protected and secure communications
• protection technology
• robotics and automation
• sensors and advanced signal processing
• surveillance and intelligence
• specialty experience in ICT system analytics and security

Advanced Manufacturing

• advanced materials
• additive manufacturing (3D printing), materials resilience and repair
• data analytics including artificial intelligence and machine learning
• digital design and rapid prototyping
• digitisation, automation and robotics including drone management and manipulation
• precision engineering and manufacturing
• nano-manufacturing and micro-manufacturing
• sustainable manufacturing and life cycle engineering
• bio-manufacturing and biological integration
• biotechnologies
• supply chain resilience
• commercialisation experience within the industry

Space

• space systems engineering
• propulsion systems
• guidance, navigation and control
• thermal management systems
• on-board data subsystems
• sensors and instruments
• electromagnetic technologies and techniques
• optoelectronics
• internet of Things technologies
• autonomous systems
• planetary body exploration
• entry, descent and landing
• in-situ resources utilisation
• human health, life support and habitation systems
• spacecraft mechanisms, structures, materials and manufacturing processes
• electrical, electronic and electro-mechanical (EEE) components and quality
• ground systems technologies and services skills
• space environment monitoring technologies skills
• space system project management skills
• space software, programming, applications and computing skills
• space sector enabling skills (for example, space law)

6. Circular Economy - Solutions to reduce waste and pollution, recycle and renew products and materials for continued use, and regenerate natural systems. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• artificial intelligence and digital technologies
• bioenergy generation
• bio-methane production
• commercialisation experience within the industry
• development of sustainable production and supply chain practices that reduce atmospheric land and marine pollution
• energy infrastructure
• environmental science
• recycling and responsible manufacturing to support industries (plastics, paper, glass, tyre components, e-waste and lithium batteries)
• reducing emissions and increasing efficient use of natural resources (including energy, water and materials)
• sustainable manufacturing and life-cycle engineering specialists
• waste treatment (management and reuse) and emissions technology
• Waste to Energy (WtE) technology (the ability to generate reliable baseload electricity that is also capable of diverting waste away from landfill and reducing carbon emissions)

7. DigiTech - Enhancing capabilities in the following areas: Data management and analysis, Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, Robotics Advanced mathematics and statistics, Start ups and entrepreneurs in the industry, and Cyber-Security. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning
• automation and robotics
• big data, data management and analysis
• blockchain technology
• cloud computing
• 5G
• cyber security detection, prevention and response
• data and eResearch infrastructure
• smart tech and disruptive technologies
• front-end development
• Internet of Things
• immersive technologies including virtual, augmented and extended reality
• IT integrated control systems for plant and machinery
• machine learning engineering
• network engineering/architecture
• production and development of digital (video) games and game engine technology
• quantum information and computing
• smart cities
• specialised knowledge in software and mobile application development
• 3D printing

8. Infrastructure and Tourism - This sector includes the following specialisations:

Infrastructure

• Leading large complex transport infrastructure projects for roads, bridges, tunnelling, rail and airports.
• Designing, developing or operating smart cities and technologies that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of transport services using emerging transport technologies such as automated vehicles/trains, emerging transport network technologies or artificial intelligence machine learning applied in transport systems.
• Utilising new technologies applied to electricity grids (distribution, transmission, micro/smart grids) that assist with the integration and transition to distributed generation, batteries and electric vehicles.
• Water management technologies

Tourism

• new tourism infrastructure and attraction development (such as high end accommodation)
• high-value tourism attraction
• sustainable tourism

9. Financial Services and FinTech - This sector is focused on the application of technology to finance, with a focus on enhancing financial services through new technology. This sector includes the following specialisations:

• financial data science and analysis
• fintech cyber and data security
• cloud technologies
• software engineering and application programming
• user experience including natural language processing
• digital assets including decentralised finance applications, digital asset marketplaces and non-fungible tokens (subject to Australian Government regulation)
• blockchain engineering (full stack developer or solutions architect)
• regtech
• wealthtech
• insurtech
• neobanking
• digital wallets and cryptocurrencies
• automated and predictive financial advice
• next generation lending, investment and wealth/fund management
• platform banking and payments (such as contactless, DLT based layers, lightning network)

10. Education - This sector includes the following specialisations:

• Senior management of universities and institutions of higher learning such as vice-chancellors, presidents, deans and heads of school or their international equivalents
• Senior academics and researchers at Australian academic level D or E, or their international equivalents
• Researchers and academics with demonstrable and innovative achievements in the field of education, including:

research and education infrastructure

characterisation (technologies in advanced microscopy and microanalysis that underpin modern science, medicine, engineering and industrial innovation)

curriculum development

digital data, education delivery and eResearch platforms

innovative platforms for humanities, arts and social sciences.

• Academics and researchers in the field of education and pedagogy
• Fundraising for research and development in universities
• Research commercialisation
• Edtech

Global Talent - Subclass 858 Visa

The Global Talent Visa Program requires that Applicants provide evidence of their 'Talent', which requires that they meet the eligibility criteria below:

1. Internationally Recognised - Prove they are internationally recognised with evidence or a record of outstanding achievements.

This does not require the applicant to be practicing their field internationally (although this would be advantageous). Several factors would be considered, including whether the field itself is recognised in multiple countries and if the achievements of the applicant would be similarly recognised in those countries. Other factors to consider include holding senior positions in internationally renowned organisations and the completion of major international projects with significant impact.

a. Record - This is not required to be over a specific period of time, as even a single significant achievement has the potential to be recognised as a record. This is beneficial for applicants with limited experience. However, according to migration policy, there is a preference for a "sustained record of achievement" that is unlikely to diminish in the future.

b. Exceptional and Outstanding Achievements - Exceptional and outstanding achievement is the act of accomplishing something extraordinary that places the individual above the average. The applicant must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas:

• (i) a profession;
• (ii) a sport;
• (iii) the arts;
• (iv) academia and research

Individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement are usually those who are leaders in their particular field. Examples of a 'record of exceptional and outstanding achievement' include undertaking and presenting research. Immigration Policy states this is "the act of accomplishing something extraordinary that places the individual above the average. Individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement are usually those who are leaders in their particular field." This may include:

• Senior roles
• Patents
• Professional awards
• International publications
• Memberships

2. Specialised Assistance in matters of Security - The Applicant can satisfy Schedule 2, 858.212 of the Migration regulations if the applicant has provided specialised assistance to the Australian Government in matters of security. Evidence of specialised assistance is provided by written advice to the processing officer by the Global Talent & Regional Outreach section confirming that advice has been received from the responsible Minister or the Director-General of Security in relation to the applicant.

3. Prominent - still regarded as Prominent in their field of expertise. Prominence can potentially be demonstrated by recognised experience of achievements, or continued involvement in the area (e.g., teaching, judging, maintaining memberships, public speaking, writing, participating in lower levels/competitions in the area). Also, 'Prominence' can be demonstrated through internet publications, and social media presence. The applicant is not required to be known outside of the area. The applicant should be recognised as prominent by those within the area. The applicant should stand out in the area and be considered as important.

4. Asset to Australia - provide evidence that they would be an asset to Australia, in their field of expertise. As an asset, there must be perceived value in settling in Australia, and the benefit must be to the Australian community, e.g., the public. The benefit must not be restricted to a small group, community, or single employer. Examples of being an 'Asset to the Community' include mentoring, training, and contribution to research or knowledge. Evidence of being an 'Asset to Australia' includes:

• Evidence that they have created a product/ technological advancement that is unique, and cutting edge in nature;
• Evidence demonstrating that the applicant’s research fills a significant knowledge gap and will be of benefit to industry, business or academia in Australia, or
• Evidence of their involvement in establishing a start-up company.

5 Easily Obtain Employment in Australia. - have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or becoming established in their field of expertise. The intention is to ensure they are not dependent on welfare support in Australia and can become economically independent within their area and maintain that independence ongoing. The applicant’s own financial situation by itself is not relevant but could support establishing themself independently in Australia. Evidence of ability to obtain employment in Australia includes the following:

• Employment contracts or offers of employment related to the area of achievement for work in Australia. This may be evidenced by current and future employment opportunities from employers, employment/recruitment agencies, universities or organisations involved with the area of achievement in Australia;
• Evidence of self-employment or opportunities to establish a viable business within the area of achievement;
• Evidence of sponsorships, scholarships, grants or other payments intended to support the applicant while they are engaged in activities related to the area of achievement;
• Evidence of academic qualifications in their area of achievement. E.g. PhD or Masters degree;
• Evidence of high scores (overall grade-point average of 80 out of 100) during the completion of their Masters degree or Bachelor Honours degree, or
• Demonstrated track records of previous employment in their area of achievement.

6. Nomination - Be Nominated on a completed approved Form 1000, by a prominent Australian with a reputation in your field or by an Australian Organization. The Nominator must be an: a. Citizen of Australia; b. Permanent Resident of Australia; c. Eligible New Zealand citizen; d. Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field. The nominator does not need to personally know the applicant. Examples of successful nominators include leading education institutions, national sportspersons (included retired but still active in the field).

Nomination Form 1000 - The Nominator must describe how the applicant has an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, is still prominent (in their field), and would be an asset to the Australian community. If the nomination is by an Australian organisation, an explanation of how the organisation has acquired a national reputation in the same area or field as the application is required. In addition to the national reputation requirement above, the person is required to provide further information covering the applicants prominence in their field, how the applicant would be an asset to the Australian community, and how the nominated will be able to easily find work or establish themself independently in Australia. This is not a pre-approval for the nomination, but it is lodged as part of the visa application.

Nominator Examples - Examples of successful nominators include leading Educational Institutions, National Sportspersons (included retired but still active in the field), Directors of Australian National organisations, Peak professional associations, prominent artists and academic professors. The nomination under the GTI EOI does not need to be the same as the nomination in the visa application.

National Reputation - For an individual nominator consideration is given by association. Specific examples in policy include:

• A senior academic such as a Professor at a university recognised internationally for teaching excellence and cutting edge research would meet the requirements regarding national reputation
• A nominator employed by a lead ICT company as an ICT professional would be assessed as having a national reputation if that company is a multi-national technology company, one of the world’s largest employers, or a leader in creating technological innovations

The Nominator must make a Statement "to attest to your achievements and international standing", and the Nominators must have evidence of their national reputation in the same area as the GTI Applicant, and evidence of their status in Australia, including the following:

• Solid Track record of achievements
• Evidence of High calibre
• Leadership in the relevant field of expertise
• Professional Associations with lead organizations and industry bodies
• Current and previous employment history
• Participation at Conferences both in Australia and Internationally
• Contributions to a number of international Journals which would be utilized by Researchers, Academics and Organizations undertaking work in the same field of research

7. Age - You can apply at any Age, but if you are under 18 years or over 55 years, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

8. English Language ability - Applicants must have 'functional English language ability (An average IELTS Test band score of at least 4.5 for each of the 4 test components).

9. Health and Character requirement - Provide evidence of good character and undergo medical examination.

10. Exclusions - There is an exclusion which prohibits applications where at the time of application for the GTI, the applicant is the holder of a subclass 491 or 494 visa, or where this was the last substantive visa held by the applicant, unless the visa has been held for at least 3 years at the time of application.

ACS Nomination Process

The process and steps to obtain ACS Nomination are listed below:

1. Email a CV/Resume to ACS - explaining why you would be an asset to the Australian tech sector.

2. ACS may request further information - and will advise if ACS can proceed with a nomination.

3. Pay ACS Fee, if eligible - pay the fee of $500 AUD, and prepare the following information:

• Colour scan of passport bio-page
• Evidence of Visa Invitation from Department of Home Affairs (if applicable)
• Confirmation of which target sector(s), the Applicant believes would apply to them
• Evidence and Details showing you are internationally recognised, and your achievements are also exceptional and outstanding
• Evidence and Details showing you are still prominent in your field
• Evidence and Details showing your settlement in Australia will be an asset to the Australian community
• Evidence and Details showing your contribution will be of benefit to Australia as a whole

4. Phone Call or Video Interview - may be required and ACS can investigate an Applicant's background.

5. ACS issues Nomination Support Letter and Form 1000

Student Eligibility for the GTI Program as at 20 January 2021

New student eligibility requirements for the Global Talent Visa GTI Program were introduced in the Procedural Instruction update of 20 January 2021:

• Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework and Masters by Research graduates - No longer eligible solely based on having achieved a qualification in a priority sector.
• PhD graduates who completed their studies within the past three years - Still Eligible for GTI. However, candidates who achieved their qualification overseas from a non-Australian Education Institution must demonstrate that their PhD meets Australian standards.
• PhD students nearing completion of their degree - Required to demonstrate that they have a prior record of exceptional and outstanding professional achievement, and that their PhD will meet Australian standards.
• International Record - Students can demonstrate an International record with the following evidence: Academic qualifications, Transcripts showing 80%+ results, Academic awards/recognition, Research of international interest and significance, Research presented at international forums, How research can be used to inform academia, Governments or industry, Evidence of how research will advance Australia’s competitiveness, Potential for innovation and productivity increases.

Salary Threshold - Global Talent Independent Program

Candidates must be able to obtain a salary at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT), which is currently $175,000 AUD, as at 1 July 2024. To determine if the applicant meets the Salary requirements the Department of Home Affairs will consider the following factors:

• Current salary - evidenced by Payslips or a contract of employment
• Future job offers - outlining remuneration
• Recent PhD or Masters Graduates - in the target sectors

'Earnings' can include the following:

• wages
• other amounts (if any) worked out in accordance with the Regulations
• amounts dealt with on the employee’s behalf or as the employee directs
• the agreed money value of non-monetary benefits

Expression of Interest - GTI

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is a pre-requisite to applying for the GTI. The EOI provides broad discretion to the Department of Home Affairs to assess and authorise an application for the visa. This discretion empowers the Department of Home Affairs to streamline the visa process and prevent 'undesirable' applications. To apply for an Expression of Interest, the Applicant must respond to all questions and provide information and documents, which support your claims to be Global Talent. Note that EOI's do not expire, so you do not need to submit a second application. Provide details of your personal contribution, skills and expertise in your identified field and how your research/achievement places you at the top of your field impacting internationally that will lead to an advancement in your field. Supporting evidence for an EOI includes:

• Current salary - evidenced by Payslips or a contract of employment
• Future job offers - outlining remuneration
• Recent PhD or Masters Graduates - in the target sectors

1. Mandatory Documentation - Passport of all Applicants, Nomination details, including Nominator's Passport, and completion of Nomination for Global Talent - Form 1000.

2. CV/Resume

3. Employment and Qualifications - Employment status and Work Reference Letters, evidence of current Income, Academic Transcripts and Qualifications certificates.

4. Professional associations - evidence of memberships

5. Industry Awards, Scholarships

6. Presenting/Participation at International Conferences/Events

7. Publications, patents

8. Profile and Overview of how the Applicant is Global Talent - including your internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement and your ability to make a significant contribution to the Australian economy.

9. Online Profile - including Company Website Profile, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, online Articles and other Social Media presence.

Application Process - 858 Global Talent Visa

To apply for the Global Talent Independent Program, the applicant must do the following:

• Submit an Expression of Interest to the Department of Home Affairs.
• Obtain a Nomination from an Australian citizen or Australian company, with a national reputation in your occupation.
• A Global Talent Officer will examine your educational and professional qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements to be invited to apply under the Global Talent Independent Program. You will receive a response via email advising if you have been invited to apply and receive an 'Invitation to apply for the GTI Program'. This will include a unique invitation reference identifier and an invitation code.
• If the applicant meets the GTI requirements, they can apply for the Global Talent Visa, Subclass 858, with priority processing.
• Prepare and submit key documents for the GTI application, including: Submission (presentation of favourable issues and positives of applicant's case), Client CV, Client Personal Statement, Nominator Statement, and Evidence of Claims.
• Pay the Department of Home Affairs, Visa Application Charge. As at June 2024, the Base Application Charge for the Primary Applicant is currently $4,710 AUD.
• Evidence of Functional English Ability - All Applicants over 18 years of age must provide evidence of functional English language ability; otherwise, they will need to pay a second instalment of the visa application fee. Functional English means an average IELTS Test band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components.
• Undergo Medical examinations and Chest X-rays and Biometrics.
• Police Clearance Certificates - apply for Character certificates for all applicants over 16 years of age and from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
• Processing times - As at June 2024 - GTI applications are processed in 9 to 12 months.
• Hong Kong Passport Holders - Priority Processing - In July 2020, an announcement was made to start prioritising EOI's and visa applications from Hong Kong passport holders and residents of Hong Kong. The Australian government is offering new and extended visa options to students and skilled workers from Hong Kong. This will help Hong Kong passport holders to remain in Australia, with pathways to permanent residency. These changes will be implemented through updates to regulations and procedural instructions.

Benefits - Global Talent Visa, Subclass 858

Applicants who have an Approved Global Talent visa are allowed to do all of the following:

• Permanent visa – the program provides permanent residency on grant of the visa
• Priority processing – complete applications expected to be finalised between 62 Days and 3 months
• Work and study anywhere in Australia
• Enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
• Sponsor your family members to move to Australia
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the Dept of Home Affairs grants the visa. After 5 years you must apply for a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
• Apply for Australian citizenship, after living in Australia for a number of years

Hong Kong BNO Passport Holders and Residents

• Australian Migration Agents and Lawyers - Hong Kong (visaconnect.com)
• 澳大利亞移民代理和律師- 香港 - VisaConnect

Office Address and Telephone - VisaConnect Australia

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Sydney, NSW, Australia office below:

VisaConnect Sydney
Suite 19, 103 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
Australia

Telephone: (+61) 2 9151 7350