Today it has been announced by Immigration SA that they have received a limited allocation from the Department of Home Affairs for GSM 491 visa and 190 visa nominations and Business/Investment visa nominations. 

An Australian Visa refusal can be devastating for everyone involved and can put your future in Australia in immediate jeopardy and uncertainty. However, your visa refusal does not necessarily mean it is the end of your pathway to Australia.

In this article, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions for applicants that have received visa refusals.

After months of not releasing the number of invitations issued through SkillSelect, the Department of Home Affairs has finally released the invitation rounds for May and June 2020. Not everyone will be happy with the results.

International students are important to Australia as they have made a major contribution in Australia’s economy and Australian society. To limit the impact of Covid 19 pandemic on international students, the Federal Government have announced five major changes which will impact the students currently in Australia and those who are overseas and are unable to travel to Australia due to Covid 19.

The Department of Home Affairs has sent out the first round of invitations for the 2020-2021 program year on 14 July 2020.

This first round of invitation for the subclass 189 and 491 (family-sponsored) is a positive indication that the monthly invitation rounds will continue.

At the current time, the subclass 190 and 491 state sponsored visas are still on hold.

Many employer-sponsored visa holders experienced changes to their employment as a result of the COVID-19. These unprecedented times have presented many challenges for these visa holders, including questions as to how their visas will be affected by these changes.

We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to answer some of these questions. 

We are receiving a lot of questions regarding the scope of the sectors for the Global Talent Independent visa. As there is no set occupation list for the GTI visa, many potential candidates do not know whether their occupations will fall within one of the seven target sectors.

As of 17 December 2020, Direction 89 lists priority sectors as:

• Resources
• Agri-food and AgTech
• Energy
• Health industries
• Defence, advanced manufacturing and space
• Circular economy
• DigiTech
• Infrastructure and tourism
• Financial services and FinTech
• Education​

Please note this blog was written prior to 17 December 2020.

This is an older article. Click here to learn the criteria for the Global Talent Visa

The most common areas of interest are:

1. Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT
2. FinTech
3. Cyber Security
4. MedTech
5. Energy and Mining Technology

There seems to be a reasonable amount of confusion regarding what is included in each sector. The key focus of the GTI is to attract high-tech occupations within the target sectors.

While we aim to provide some clarity on this, there is no defined edge to the target sectors.

Unlike GSM & employer-sponsored programs, the GTI process is not based on an occupation list. 

It is also important to keep in mind that all applicants need to meet the other requirements for the Global Talent Independent Programs; such as:

• recognised internationally
• prominent in your target sector
• would be an asset to Australia
• would not have difficulty finding work in Australia in your field
• are nominated by an Australian organisation or individual, who is also prominent in the same field
• earn or are likely to earn at least AUD153,600 (can be shown through a range of different ways)

Ultimately, the only way to concretely determine if your background is going to be accepted into the program is by submitting an expression of interest.

To learn more about the Australian Global Talent program, click here.

Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT

This is the largest target sector for GTI, making up 28% of the 2019-2020 program year. 

The Global Talent Independent visa program is intended to attract “high-tech” professionals from a range of different fields. Most of those professionals in other fields (especially FinTech; MedTech & Cyber Security) also fall within this general ICT field.

ICT

The following occupations might be considered under this sector, as they are ICT occupations:

• 261111 ICT Business Analyst
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 135111 Chief Information Officer
• 135112 ICT Project Manager
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 263112 Network Administrator
• 263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer

We have also previously received an invitation for a professional with a background as 223211 ICT Trainer.

We note that being in the target sector is one of the requirements, but it is important that you are also able to meet the other requirements of the program. 

Not all professionals in these occupations will be able to meet the salary or academic requirements. 

Quantum Information, Advanced Digital and Data Science

There are a few occupations which we think may fall into these fields, but might not fit into ICT.

It is possible that occupations such as the following may be relevant:

• 224112 Mathematician
• 224113 Statistician
• 234514 Biotechnologist
• Actuary

Ultimately, it is important that you have an established background in the claimed field. A mathematics professor who has had no engagement with Data Science is unlikely to be suited to the Global Talent Independent visa program.

While these occupations may be relevant, it is also important to keep in mind the other requirements of the Global Talent Independent Visa Program. You need to be able to show that you are likely to attract a salary of at least AUD153,600 in Australia. This can be shown in a range of ways, but means that an entry level software programmer is unlikely to be successful through the GTI visa program. If that’s you, you may have other options under one of Australia’s other skilled migration programs or an employer-sponsored visa.

Click here to learn more about finding an Australian nominator in this sector.

FinTech: Financial Technology

There are a range of professionals who contribute to the success of a financial technology team.

Some common roles in the FinTech industry are: 

• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• Managers working in the FinTech industry
• Project Managers overseeing FinTech projects within a larger business
• Consultants
• Chief Technology Officers
• Chief Data Officers

The FinTech space in Australia is made up of different players, ranging from the big banks to fresh startups. Some recent names in the industry are: Xinja, UP, Wisr, Huddle Insurance and AirWallex 

Cyber Security

Cyber Security is another one of the target sectors for the GTI visa program.

Some occupations in the Cyber Security field might include:

• 262112 ICT Security Specialist
• Security Software Developer
• Information Security Analyst
• Forensics Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• Ethical Hacker

Click here to learn more about finding an Australian nominator in this sector.

MedTech: Medical Technology

Medical technology involves innovative instruments that are used to save and improve people’s lives by improving following activities:  

• Disease diagnosis; prevention; disease monitoring and surveillance; disease treatment & alleviation.
• Injury diagnosis; injury monitoring and surveillance; injury treatment & alleviation & compensation for an injury.
• Clean and destroy bacteria on medical devices
• Using in-vitro examination of specimens derived from the human body to provide information for medical or diagnostic purposes.

Those working in the development of medical devices may be eligible for a GTI visa under MedTech. MedTech can span fields within medical technology including dental, diagnostic imaging and orthopaedic implants.

Examples of such occupations may include:

• 251912 Orthotist or Prosthetist designing new technology
• 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Engineer working in research, maintenance and development of medical devices
• Programmer working in medical software
• Statistician working in MedTech

Energy and Mining Technology

Australia has a rich and varied history of energy, mining and resources industries. There is room for further development in mining equipment, technology and services (METS).

Global talents are being sought who can bring skills to Australia to push the METS industry even further.

We also understand there is a focus on new energy technologies, which could include renewable energy developments that would help with climate change. 

Potential occupations for this target sector are:

• 233611 Mining Engineer
• 233612 Petroleum Engineer
• Mud Engineer
• Petrophysical Engineer
• Process Engineer (Mining)

While we have provided examples of occupations that could fall within these target sectors, this list is neither exhaustive of all the possible occupations for a GTI visa nor a guarantee that an applicant with that occupation will be successful. Eligibility for the GTI visa will be dependent on the applicant’s personal circumstances including skills, work experience, qualifications and ability to attract a salary of at least AUD 153,600.

If your occupation is not listed here but you think you may be eligible, please contact us for a preliminary assessment of your eligibility. 

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sources:

https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/services/global-talent-distinguished-talent-visas/global-talent-independent-visa.html

https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/services/global-talent-distinguished-talent-visas.html

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/global-talent-independent-program

https://fintechaustralia.org.au/

https://www.mtaa.org.au/

With news of China’s new laws for Hong Kong amid riots in Hong Kong, the Australian Government has acted to extend additional visas to Hong Kong passport holders to remain in Australia. These new measures are designed as a part of Australia’s overall skilled visa program, attracting and retaining talent from around the world.

BREAKING NEWS

The Australian General Skilled Migration program has closed indefinitely.

***LATEST UPDATE 14 July 2020*** 

***UPDATE 10 July 2020***

***UPDATE 1 July 2020***

The Global Talent Independent (GTI) visa is an easy pathway to Australian permanent residency for those that can qualify. Often, potential GTI applicants will have met all of the requirements but are unable to find a nominator. One of the most common barriers that GTI applicants may encounter, especially offshore applicants, is locating an Australian person or organisation to nominate them. As the national body for the ICT sector, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) is willing to provide nominations for GTI applicants. 

Click here to learn the criteria for the Global Talent Visa

One of the requirements of a GTI visa is for the applicant to be nominated by an Australian person or organisation who has a national reputation in the same field as the applicant. For many offshore GTI applicants, this requirement may be difficult especially when they have not had the chance to network with people in their field.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has recently indicated that they will be providing nominations for some applicants for the GTI visa program.

They are focused on the following target sectors:

• Cyber Security
• Quantum Information
• Advanced Digital
• Data Science 
• ICT

The cost for this service is currently set at AUD $500, to account for time spent assessing the candidate.

They are open to nominating applicants who are both overseas or in Australia.

ACS Nomination Process

Step 1: Lodge an Expression of Interest with the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 2: If eligible, the Department of Home Affairs will provide a Global Talent Identifier number.

Step 3: Send your CV to ACS with an explanation of your relevant qualifications, skills and experience in one of the sectors above.

Step 4: If suitable, ACS will progress your application and ask for the nomination fee. Further information may be requested. You may need to attend an interview with ACS.

Step 5: ACS will complete the nomination form and provide you with a nomination letter for the visa application.

The ACS will be nominating candidates who can show they will be an asset to their industry in Australia. This will be an advocacy driven process, in a similar way to the GTI visa program as a whole. Therefore it is important that any submissions for a nomination from ACS will demonstrate the applicant's skills and expertise in their relevant field.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers can help you with all steps in the Global Talent visa application process, including with applications for nomination from the ACS.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Contact us on (08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.