Global Talent Independent program

Global Talent Independent program

On Monday 4 November 2019, the Hon David Coleman MP officially launched the Global Talent - Independent program which offers a streamlined, priority visa pathway for highly skilled and talented individuals to work and live permanently in Australia.

About the program

The program is designed to attract skilled migrants at the top future-focused fields to Australia. The program brings the best talent from around the world.

This creates opportunities for Australians by transferring skills, promoting innovation, and creating job opportunities. 

We work with Australian universities, industry bodies, and state and territory governments to attract global talent to Australia.

Our Global Talent Officers are located in Berlin, Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington DC. They work across a number of countries in their region, and attend key industry events and expos to promote the program.

To express interest for priority processing within the program, a candidate will be highly skilled in one of the seven target sectors and be able to command a salary that meets the high income threshold or be a highly graded recent PhD or Masters Graduates.

Target sectors

• AgTech
• Space and Advanced Manufacturing
• FinTech
• Energy and Mining Technology
• MedTech
• Cyber Security
• Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT

Expected salary threshold

Candidates should have the ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work high income threshold (FWHIT), which is currently AUD148,700. This figure is adjusted annually on 1 July.

In assessing whether a candidate is likely to have the ability to meet this salary threshold, the Department will consider:

• current salary evidenced through payslips or a contract, or
• future job offers outlining remuneration, or
• recent PhD or Masters graduates in the target sectors.

For more information see  Fair Work High Income Threshold

Before you apply

Expression of interest by individuals for consideration under the Global Talent program can be registered through the Global Talent contact form.

A unique identifier will be provided to individuals who meet the program parameters, which provides priority processing for a Distinguished Talent visa application.

Apply for the visa

Complete your Distinguished Talent visa application in ImmiAccount.

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:

• an eligible Australian citizen, resident
• eligible New Zealand citizen
• an Australian organisation.

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.

• If you are outside of Australia at the time you apply for the visa, lodge a Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent visa.
• If you are in Australia at the time you apply for the visa lodge a Subclass 858 Distinguished Talent visa