Global Talent Visa
A new initiative to attract highly skilled movers and shakers in seven designated industry sectors has become operational. Unlike other visa applications, applicants will be allocated a dedicated Home Affairs contact to guide them through the process. Applications will receive the highest processing priority and will be fast-tracked to permanent residency.
How these visas might impact upon you
The Global Talent program aims to attract the world’s most highly skilled migrants. You might be eligible if you work in one of the following industries:
- Agricultural Technology
- Financial Technology
- Medical Technology
- Cyber Security
- Energy and Mining Technology
- Space and Advanced Manufacturing
- Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT
One of the requirements is that you must be likely to earn at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold of AUD $148,700 per year. This amount is current at time of writing but could change in the future.
The government predicts that these seven industries are amongst the highest growth trends, the so-called “future-focused fields”. Australian businesses will gain access to this talent base, which should help drive high growth industries in Australia and create jobs locally. The program is predicted to create high-paying local jobs by making Australia a global technology hub.
The Department of Home Affairs states that they are working with Australian universities, industry bodies, and state and territory governments to attract global talent to Australia. Global Talent Officers have been placed in a number of overseas locations, including Berlin, Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington. The Department will actively seek out potential applicants.
Applicants will need to pass the usual health, character, security, and integrity checks. 5000 places are being made available in the program over 2019 / 2020, part of the 70,000 skilled migration program, and overall intake of 160,000.
Global Talent Independent Program
Not to be confused with the Global Talent Employer Sponsored Program, access to the program can only be made by a Global Talent Officer or an organisation or individual with a national reputation in the same field as the candidate. Successful individuals will be invited to apply for a subclass 124 (offshore) or subclass 858 (onshore) Distinguished Talent visa. A Global Talent Contact form is available to those that want to refer a candidate to the program. The proposed applicant will need to have expertise and experience in one of the above industry sectors and be internationally recognised. After demonstrating that they will likely be able to earn more than $148,700 per year, they will be issued with a unique identifier and be invited to apply for the visa.
Assessment-ready applications will take a month or less to finalise, the Department predicts. Successful applicants will be able to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Conclusion
If you (or someone you know) are highly skilled and experienced, working in one of these designated sectors and have international repute, Australia wants you. Potts Lawyers Immigration Lawyers can assist you and your family members through this process. We know the eligibility criteria and evidentiary requirements to lodge successful Distinguished Talent visa applications. It would be our pleasure to help you. Just contact Craig DoRozario or Tom Foran, our Immigration Law specialists, and we’ll let you know how we can help.
Next Steps
To obtain a free 20 minute consultation in relation to your immigration matter, please contact our office on (07) 5532 3133. Your immigration matter will be conducted by Craig DoRozario (MARN 1910298) and/or Tom Foran (MARN 1172414).