The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a new pathway for permanent residency through the Global Talent Visa 858 Program. Further information from Melbourne migration specialists, Elmtree Migration Lawyers is available here.
There are two pathways under the program – Global Talent Independent and Global Talent Employer Sponsored.
1.Global Talent Independent
The Global Talent Independent Visa is suitable for highly skilled applicants who have an internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement within certain priority sectors. These ten future-focused sectors include:
- Resources
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Energy
- Health industries
- Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
- Circular Economy
- Digitech
- Infrastructure and Tourism
- Financial Services and FinTech
Global Talent Visa 858 applicants must be internationally recognised in their field and operate at the very top of their field on a national level. This can be evidenced by the seniority of their current role within an organisation, current remuneration, presentation at conferences, awards, government grants, registration of intellectual property and contributions to industry literature in their field.
Visa applicants for the Global Talent Visa should be earning a minimum annual salary of A$158,500 at the time of application or should have evidence they can command this salary in Australia. The applicant’s salary is an objective measure of the prominence of an applicant and is considered an important selection criteria.
The applicant must be nominated or endorsed by an Australian nominator. The nominator must have a national reputation in the same field and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation. Where appropriate, the applicant’s nomination should come from the peak Australian body of the nominated field.
Through the Global Talent Visa 858, the Australian government aims to support the economy by introducing innovative skills to high priority industries. In 2021-2022, there are 15,000 places available under the program. Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation to apply for this visa path.
2.Global Talent Employer Sponsored Pathway
The employer sponsored arm of the Global Talent Visa 858 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 such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa.
The program allows accredited employers to sponsor highly skilled occupations which are not available on current TSS 482 occupation lists.
There are two subsets of the Global Talent Employer Sponsored stream:
- Established Business Stream – allows Australian companies who have been granted Accredited Sponsor status, are publicly listed or have sales of at least $4million in the last 2 years, to sponsor workers with cutting edge skills; and
- Start Up Stream – allows Australian start-ups operating in tech based or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to sponsor workers who can bring new skills and technology to Australia. The start up company must be endorsed by an independent advisory panel.
Both the employer sponsor and the visa applicant will need to meet certain eligibility criteria but the overarching requirement is that the sponsorship will result in a transfer of skills and support job creation in Australia.
For both of the above pathways, a Global Talent Visa 858 application can be made onshore or offshore. An applicant applying for the Global Talent Visa onshore is required to hold a substantive visa or a Bridging Visa A, B or C. .If the applicant is currently holding a Skilled Work Regional (Provincial) (sub class 491) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provincial) (subclass 494), the applicant must hold that visa for at least 3 years prior to applying for Global Talent Visa. This requirement is not applicable for offshore applicants.
3.Distinguished Talent Visa (Subclass 124)
The Distinguished Talent Visa (subclass 124) has been available for a few years now and is available to applicants who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.
The Distinguished Talent Visa is a permanent visa which allows visa holders to stay, work or study as well as bring family to Australia.
The visa applicant can be of any age but if the applicant is under 18 years old, or over 55 years old, the applicant must have evidence that their talent or skill would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. This evidence may include.
- statement regarding applicant’s career plans upon settling in Australia
- job offer or employment in Australia
- service agreements or business contracts in Australia
- pitch-deck or business planning documentation for Australia
- grants associated with planned research in Australia
- membership or appointment on industry advisory boards or regulatory authorities in Australia.
Applicants must demonstrate that they would be able to find work in a relevant field in Australia or become independently established in a relevant field.
The applicant must be nominated or endorsed by an Australian nominator. The nominator must have a national reputation in the same field and be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zeeland citizen, or an Australian organisation. Where appropriate, the applicant’s nomination should come from the peak Australian body of the nominated field.
Should your require more information about the Global Talent Visa Program or the Distinguished Talent Visa, please contact Elmtree Migration Lawyers about your Melbourne migration needs.