The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) also known as Global Talent Independent (GTI) Visa is suitable for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following priority sectors.

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Priority Sectors

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Resources

• Advanced visualisation technologies, e.g. sensors

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies

• Beneficiation technologies (improving the economic value of a resource such as ore)

• Expertise in energy saving technologies for extracting and processing ores, such as ore body mapping, geophysical tools and drilling, mineral refinement, automated trucks and robotic equipment or grinding and processing technologies; and

• Resource waste management.

 

Agri-food and AgTech

• Agricultural big data analytics

• Commercialisation experience within the industry

• Future proteins for human and animal consumption

• Food and beverage technology

• Individual technologies or a combination of technologies related to farm equipment, weather, seed optimisation, fertiliser and crop inputs, and irrigation

• Precision measurement and/or application of farm inputs such as nitrogen and pesticides, gene editing, nanomaterials and synthetic biology

• Predictive technologies around planting times, climatic forecasting and crop cycles; and

• Wearable technology, including ear-tag trackers for animal management.

 

Energy

• Advanced visualisation technology (e.g. sensors)

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies

• Automation and robotics (e.g. smart sorting technologies for recycling)

• Beneficiation technologies (i.e. improving the economic value of ore)

• Recycling technology (e.g. feedstock recycling or E-waste processing)

• Traceability technologies, e.g. experience with sophisticated material trading systems that make material sources more transparent to consumers; and

• Expertise with the following fields in the sector:

  • Hydrogen technology

  • Clean technologies, renewables and hybrids (including solar and wind power)

  • Battery/energy storage design (specialised, grid-scale and precursors for batteries)

  • Bioenergy and biofuels

  • Micro-grid design; and

  • Supporting the transition to net zero carbon emissions.

 

Health industries

• Antimicrobial resistance

• Biochemistry and cell biology

• Biostatistician

• Biotechnology

• Biomedicine and Bioengineering

• Cell and gene therapies – genomics

• Clinical trials

• Digital health

• Health economists

• Implantable and wearable devices (e.g. 3D printed custom devices, bionics and prosthetics)

• Infectious disease

• Medical devices

• Medical physicist

• Microbiology and immunology

• Nanotechnology and genomics

• Neuroscience and neurology

• Pharmaceuticals

• Precision medicine

• Point of care diagnostics; and

• Regenerative medicine. 

 

Defence

• Augmented and virtual reality

• Cyber Security

• Expertise in military equipment acquisition, sustainment and evaluation

• Robotics and automation; and

• Sensors and analytics.

 

Advanced manufacturing

• Advanced materials

• Additive manufacturing (3D printing), materials resilience and repair

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Automation & Robotics

• Bio-manufacturing and biological integration

• Biotechnologies

• Digital design and rapid prototyping

• Digitisation and automation

• Nano-manufacturing and micro-manufacturing

• Precision manufacturing; and

• Sustainable manufacturing and life cycle engineering

 

Space

• Aviation in space

• Experience that would be of benefit to the National Civil Space Priority Areas:

  • Position, navigation and timing (PNT) infrastructure (global navigation satellite systems)

  • Earth observation technology and services

  • Communications technologies and services (lasers for data communication, quantum technologies for secure communication, and hybrid radio and optical communications)

  • Space situational awareness and debris monitoring (including space traffic management)

  • Leapfrog R&D, which includes new rocket technology, high-tech materials, space medicine, synthetic biology, quantum communications, in-orbit servicing and optical wireless communication technologies

  • Robotics and automation on Earth and in space

  • Access to space, which includes international space missions and launch activity

• Engagement with international space and astronomy regulatory bodies.

 

Circular economy

• 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

• 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)

• Waste treatment (management and reuse) and emissions technology; and

• 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).

 

Digitech

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

• Automation

• Big data

• Blockchain technology

• Cloud computing

• Cyber security detection, prevention and response services

• Data and eResearch infrastructure

• Data management and analysis

• Data science

• Disruptive technologies

• Front-end development

• Internet of Things

• IT integrated with control systems for plant and machinery

• Machine learning engineering

• Network engineer/architect

• Quantum information and computing

• Robotics

• Senior experience in developing and producing digital games and immersive technology

• Smart cities

• Smart tech

• Software and product management/development

• Start-ups and Entrepreneurs in the industry

• Systems integration; and

• 3D printing.

 

Infrastructure and tourism

• drive economic development in regional communities

• develop gateways to support Australia’s international competitiveness

• improve and expand Australia’s energy infrastructure; and

• improve water security across Australia.

• increase the economic benefits to Australia from tourism

• target high value travellers in the markets and tourism segments that deliver the greatest returns; and

• foster a sustainable and innovative tourism industry.

 

Financial services and FinTech

• Automated and predictive financial advice

• Blockchain technology

• Commercialisation experience within the industry

• Digital wallets

• Financial advice (e.g. automated and digital)

• Financial data analytics, compliance and ‘RegTech’

• Micro-savings

• Next generation lending, investment and wealth management

• Online banking; and

• Platform banking and payments (e.g. contactless).

 

Education

• Cutting edge innovation within the Education sector

• Research and education infrastructure planning

• Characterisation (Technologies in advanced microscopy and microanalysis that underpin modern science, medicine, engineering and industrial innovation)

• Digital Data and eResearch Platforms; and

• Platforms for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

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Visa Requirements 

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Internationally Recognised 

Contrary to popular belief, the Applicants for a Global Talent Visa does not need to be internationally known by everyone in the same industry. The term “internationally recognised” simply means that the Applicant’s achievements would be equally deemed exceptional in any country under similar circumstances.

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Here are some examples given under immigration law policies:

• An individual holding a senior position within a highly competitive international organization. 

• An individual with an established track record of holding senior positions in organisations in a number of countries.

• An individual completing major international projects that have had a far-reaching impact.

• An individual whose research in their field is internationally lauded for its global application.

• A professional athlete whose achievements are internationally recognised through competing in major national or international events.

• An internationally acclaimed artist with a sustained record of well-recognised works.

 

Record of Exceptional / Outstanding Achievement

Apart from being internationally recognised, Applicants must also prove that they have a record of exceptional or outstanding achievements in their field by providing documentation such as:

• Qualifications

• Awards

• Senior positions held

• Statement from Nominator

• Statements from other notable figures in the same industry

• Mentions in newspapers, magazines, books, journals, publications, websites and preferably credible sources

• Patents

• Inventions

• Literally any document that proves that the Applicant is outstanding

• Guest appearances as VIP or GOH at major events

• Photographs of giving speeches or meeting with industry leaders

 

Must Still Be Prominent & Be an Asset to Australia

Applicants must prove that they are currently active in their field of expertise by showing recent and ongoing contributions.

Also, Applicants must prove that they would be an asset to the Australian community if they are able to:

• Elevate Australia’s technical/academic standards internationally

• Transfer new or in-demand skills to Australia

• Elevate Australia’s competitiveness and reputation in sports and arts

• Bring about positive impacts socially or culturally

 

Australian Nominator

For a successful Global Talent Visa to be granted, Applicants must have an Australian nominator (organization or individual) that has a national reputation in the same field as the Applicant’s expertise.

If the nominator is an individual, this person can be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is in Australia.

The nominator will have to complete a Form 1000.

 

Age Requirement

There is no age limit for the Global Talent Visa.

However, if the Applicant is below 18 or above 55, the person must be able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances or benefit to Australia.

 

Employability and Salary Requirement

There is no salary requirement for the Global Talent Visa.

Applicants must simply show that they have the ability to attract an annual salary of AUD 162,000. 

This figure for the high-income threshold is adjusted annually on 1 July.

Of course, if the Applicant is already being paid this amount or has a job offer that will pay him this high income, then the chances of being invited will be much higher.

 

English Requirement

There is no English requirement for the Global Talent Visa.

However, if any Applicant above 18 years of age does not have “functional English”, then that Applicant needs to pay an additional visa application charge of approximately AUD 5,000 (depending on payment method).

This is called the second instalment of visa application charge and is payable before the visa can be granted.

 

Entire Process

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Step 1: Prepare Documents

Documentation includes identity, academic, work experience, achievements, awards, photographs, statements, Form 1000.

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Step 2: Submit Expression-of-Interest (EOI)

It could take up to 12 months for your EOI to be assessed. If your EOI is unsuccessful, you will be notified. At this point, you can re-submit or explore other visa options.

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Step 3: Receive Invitation / Unique Identifier

Once an invitation is received, you will have 12 months to lodge your visa application unless stated otherwise on the invitation letter.

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Step 4: Lodge Visa Application

At the time of lodgement, you will have to pay the visa application charge.

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Conclusion

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The Global Talent Visa is a great way to get Australian Permanent Residency if you are truly exceptional in your field. This visa is also one of the few PR pathways for Applicants who are above 55 years of age (even though it might be a little harder).

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It is also important to note that the Expression-of-Interest step must be done properly to maximise your chances of getting an invitation. In fact, the hardest part is getting the invitation because there is a limited quota per year, and you are competing against other extremely talented Applicants.

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If you would like us to properly assess your profile to determine your chances of success in getting invited, please contact us by filling up our contact form. 

Based on our experience and track record, engaging our services is a no-brainer if you want to get ahead of all the other competitors in this extremely competitive visa!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Can the nominator be changed during the process?

  • You can change the nominator any time BEFORE you lodge the visa application. Once the visa application is lodged, you will not be able to change the nominator.

• If the Applicant is above 55, how to demonstrate exceptional benefit to Australia?

  • This is where Applicants can demonstrate their creativity. Basically, any documentation to prove benefit to Australia will be useful.

  • An example would be a business plan that demonstrates the Applicant’s intent to contribute in terms of investment, driving the economy, creating jobs, etc.

• If the Applicant is unable to find a suitable nominator, what can be done?

  • The Applicant should try all means to contact potential nominators first.

  • If still unsuccessful, there are companies that help to find nominators, but they do charge a small fee. Let us know.

• Can the Applicant submit an Expression-of-Interest without Form 1000 and still receive an invitation?

  • This was possible a few years ago. However, with the significantly increased demand for the GTI program, you will need to maximise your chances of getting the invitation by providing a completed Form 1000 during the EOI stage.

• If the Applicant gets the invitation, does it mean that the visa application will definitely be successful?

  • The answer is a resounding “no”. Firstly, no professional will guarantee a visa success because it constitutes misrepresentation according to the Code of Conduct.

  • Secondly, the EOI is only a preliminary assessment where most Applicants provide only the critical documentation. The visa application stage is where the case officer scrutinises each and every piece of information, does the proper verification and checks, assesses the case against the immigration regulations and policies before making a decision. It is possible that the case officer thinks that you have exaggerated your claims in the EOI and therefore, refuse the visa application.

  • Therefore, it is important to engage a professional who has done it before and knows how to present your case to the case officer such that the information can be easily consumed and in a coherent manner.