The Global Talent Independent visa has attracted a lot of attention as it is the first of its kind in Australian immigration. There are 5,000 available places per year.
The global talent visa program is a new initiative by the Department of Home Affairs to attract highly skilled workers from target sectors to Australia.
This visa is a fast-track to Australian permanent residency and will be a great visa pathway for high achievers around the world. The government hopes that the work of these individuals will provide a boost to the Australian economy.
If you think you are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa, take 5 minutes to complete our free online Global Talent assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
As Australia tries to restart the economy post-pandemic, the Morrison government will reset the permanent migration cap in its October budget. Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge wants to use the newly launched Global Talent Independent program to attract 5,000 of the world’s most talented high-tech migrants each year, with fast-tracking to Australian permanent residency.
If you think you are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa, take 5 minutes to complete our free online Global Talent assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
The Global Talent Independent visa, in particular, has attracted a lot of attention as it is the first of its kind in Australian immigration.
While applications for many other visa subclasses have stagnated during COVID-19, the GTI visa continues to be processed. This is consistent with Ministerial Direction no. 85, signed by Immigration Minister David Coleman in November 2019. Direction no. 85 enables the Department of Home Affairs to give priority processing for the Distinguished Talent cohort (subclasses 124 and 858) to “support the responsive processing of applicants that are identified as highly desirable by Government.”
The GTI program uses the Distinguished Talent subclass 858 and subclass 124 visas, but provides a new pathway to these by invitation.
The program targets highly talented people in the agricultural, financial, mining and medical technology, cyber security and advanced manufacturing sectors. Applicants must have the ability to attract a salary above the Fair Work income threshold, which is currently at AUD $148,700. Recent high achieving PhD or Masters graduates in the target sectors may also be eligible. To read more about the requirements, read our article here.
Information obtained under Freedom of Information laws show that 227 visas had been granted under the GTI program as of January 2020. With the forecast of an 85% drop in net overseas migration for the 2020-21 program year, migration through the GTI program is likely to be the most accessible for those who can meet the criteria.
In this article, we discuss the GTI program in comparison to various employer-sponsored visas and its implications on regional migration and labour industries.
Why the Global Talent Independent Visa?
Launched in November 2019, the Global Talent Independent program aims to attract highly-talented candidates who are at the top of their field in high growth industries. To entice these talented candidates, the Australian Government have designed the GTI program with the follow key features:
Priority processing, with decisions being made from one week to two months.
Global Talent Visa as a substitute for Employer-Sponsored Visa
Problems with Employer-Sponsored Visas
A number of changes to employer-sponsored visas over the last four years have made employer-sponsored visas very unattractive for employers and difficult for applicants to meet the requirements. While it has been very difficult to get figures in relation to what’s been happening in this space, it is clear that the number of employer sponsored visa applications is slumping and will continue to decline with the effects of COVID-19 and recent bushfires.
The changes to employer sponsored visas have been well documented and there have been many submissions made by peak bodies including the Migration Institute of Australia ('MIA') in relation to the many deficiencies of the employer sponsored visa scheme. Read more about the MIA's submissions to the Inquiry into Regional Migration, here.
The Global Talent Independent Visa is being used by many employers to nominate highly paid positions that otherwise would have been nominated through employer-sponsored migration. By doing this, employers can avoid paying the expensive SAF levy while still being able to access highly skilled employees. The problem with this is that rather than attracting new global talent, as the GTI program was designed to do, the positions are being filled by those that are already being targeted by employers.
This means that some of the global talent independent program figures may effectively be just a few shifting numbers from the employer-sponsored migration space into the space of global talent migration, and not actually attracting new talented migrants who would not have otherwise come to Australia.
Global Talent Independent Visa vs Regional Migration
The Department of Home Affairs have been promoting regional migration in response to congestion in Australian metropolitan cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. However the regional visas put forward by the Department of Home Affairs have not proven to be as easy for applicants to access as would have been desired.
In particular, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa has had very little uptake due to the reasons outlined above in the employer-sponsored migration section.
The limitation of the GTI visa, and arguably one of its attractive factors, is that it is not linked to regional areas. This means that those who are granted a GTI visa are likely to cluster around Australia’s most populated cities.
Global Talent Independent Visa vs Trades and Agricultural Labourer Positions
The Global Talent program focuses on high-tech related and highly paid skills sets. This is a positive and there are definitely some shortages in relation to such highly skilled tech-related positions. However the most consistent areas of shortages are not in relation to high-tech positions, but are in trades and also agricultural labouring positions.
Trade Occupation Shortage
There have been consistent shortages in relation to trade occupations such as electricians and diesel mechanics. These shortages are reflected by the fact that these occupations I consistently on the medium-term (long-term) skill shortages lists for migration purposes. You will also find that many states do not add any extra conditions for sponsoring these occupations, whereas Degree level and often management focus positions often require many additional requirements to meet state sponsorship.
Agricultural Labour Shortage
The shortage of Australian agricultural labourer positions is well documented over many decades. This gap has been partially field by the Pacific Islander and also backpacker visas. However the need to address the low wages and seasonal nature of this work has never really been addressed by the Federal Government. As a result, there is a consistent and ongoing shortage in this area.
The shortage in this area is set to increase over the next couple of years, as the effects of the Coronavirus will stop the constant flow of backpackers that have been coming to Australia up until recently. The number of backpackers that are already in Australia will not be sufficient to complete all the work and their incentive to keep doing the job is decreasing over time. This is an article for another day, but there is an argument for the introduction of a government subsidised and regulated base level wage for agricultural labour during the Coronavirus times. Such a move would decrease the dependence on foreign labour which is currently almost impossible to access. It would also provide more stability for the sector and allow people to live in regional areas, bringing great economic benefit to these regional areas.
Global Talent Independent Visa in 2020-2021 – Opportunity for Permanent Residency
The Global Talent Independent Visa is the most successful of the three visas for innovation. The opportunity to attract global talent has been increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is due to the global increase in unemployment rates as a direct impact of the COVID-19. Prior to the global pandemic, these highly-skilled candidates might not have been looking to migrate to Australia. With the Coronavirus under control, Australia has become an even more attractive destination compared to other nations where COVID-19 has proliferated.
Minister Tudge hinted at the potential development of the GTI program as an integral part of the Australian migration program for the 2020-21 migration year, post-pandemic.
More Information on the Global Talent Programs
If you are interested in finding out more about visas under the the Global Talent program, read more here:
If you wish to keep up to date with Work Visa Lawyers' coverage on the COVID-19 impacts on Australia’s immigration policy and current visa programs, read our rolling news blog here.
The Global Talent Independent Visa is a hot new initiative by the Australian government to encourage highly skilled workers to migrate to Australia. We are seeing great interest in this visa from skilled professionals in Australia and around the world.
If you think you are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa, take 5 minutes to complete our free online Global Talent assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
Australian permanent visa processing times can often be more than 12 months, sometimes up to almost 2 years. The GTI visa has one of the fastest processing times of all Australian permanent visas.
At the Law Council's Immigration Law Conference on 20 March 2020, respresentatives from the Department of Home Affairs stated that applications under the GTI program are being given priority processing. Processing times vary from 2 day to 2 months with many being decided in one to two weeks!
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman has also signed Ministerial Direction no 85 in November 2019. Direction no. 85 enables the Department of Home Affairs to give priority processing for the Distinguished Talent cohort (subclasses 124 and 858) to “support the responsive processing of applicants that are identified as highly desirable by Government.”
The GTI program uses the Distinguished Talent subclass 858 and subclass 124 visas, but provides a new pathway to these by invitation.
Global Talent Post-Coronavirus
The recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shown how important Australian permanent residency visa status can be for receiving support in difficult times and the right to enter Australia. The GTI program allows for the grant of a permanent visa in what is likely to be the fastest time of any program.
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge has hinted at the potential development of the GTI program as an integral part of the Australian migration program for the 2020-21 migration year, post-pandemic.
The Australian Government is keen to ensure its 5,000 spots are filled in the 2019/20 migration program year, which ends on 30 June 2020, so it is important that you get into the program while you can.
If you are interested in coming to live in Australia and meet the high income threshold, the Global Talent Independent Visa Program is a great opportunity for highly skilled individuals to migrate to Australia. It’s easy to see why the program is so hot right now!
If you think you might be eligible to apply for a GTI, take 5 minutes to complete our free online GTI assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs introduced a new program in 2019 to boost the movement of highly skilled individuals from around the world to Australia.
This includes a fast-tracked pathway to Australian permanent residency for applicants with globally recognised talent in a target sector.
This is one of the first programs of its type where Australia is actively hunting talented people and asking them to come to Australia.
It presents a great opportunity for a highly-skilled professional in a high-growth area to move to Australia permanently.
The Global Talent scheme was launched 4 November 2019 and is built on the existing Distinguished Talent program, comprised of:
Offshore Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124)
Onshore Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858)
Fast Processing
At the Law Council's Immigration Law Conference on 20 March 2020, respresentatives from the Department of Home Affairs stated that applications under the GTI program are being given priority processing. Processing times vary from 2 day to 2 months with many being decided in one to two weeks!
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (as he then was) David Coleman has also signed Direction no 85 to give high priority to GTI applications as they are considered to be highly desireable by the Government.
“Ability to attract” a salary at or above the Fair Work High Income Salary Threshold (this varies each financial year and is AUD158,500 as at 01 July 2021) or
Recent graduate of PHD or a Masters program who received high grades.
The program is designed to have global talent officers situated around the world in capital cities such as Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Washington DC, Berlin and Singapore. These officers are seeking to attract and engage highly skilled individuals to the program to move to Australia and bring their skills with them.
Currently there are allocated 15,000 places in the GTI program which are up for grabs so if you’re a leader in your field, make sure you get your place to move to Australia.
Watch our video: Fast Track to Australian PR Now: GTI visa for Tech and IT sectors
High-Growth Fields
Agricultural Technology (AgTech)
AgTech is one of the fields identified for the Global Talent Independent Program.
Australia is looking to push the boundaries of “Agriculture 4.0”.
Growth through the Internet of Things (IOT) has been identified as an area for further explanation, with big advantages to flow for the agriculture industry.
FinTech is a growing field worldwide, including in Australia.
We have seen the rise of a range of:
Modern banks such as Up, Xinja and 86,400
Investing platforms such as Raiz, eToro and Spaceship
Payment platforms and digital financial products, including AfterPay
Regtech and many many other FinTech products in Australia
To develop cutting edge technologies which will function in not only the Australian financial market, but which can be exported to overseas markets, Australian FinTech startups and companies need the highest level of talent.
If you are a developer, computer scientist or financial expert with a background in FinTech, a permanent move to Australia through the GTI program could be the way to go.
There is innovation globally in the medical technology field, using technologies both existing and developing.
From a range of industries to create technologies that better serve the health needs of patients.
In Australia, there are big opportunities in developing new and better medical devices, implants and bionics.
There is work to be done in designing, building and quality assurance on new implants and body augmentations
to help those with serious health problems to live a better life.
Key foundation competencies are needed in engineering and product design in the MedTech field.
Cyber Security
Cyber Security is very important to many businesses and government Departments, ensuring that data, personal information, commercial information and funds remain secure.
There are a range of interesting startups already underway, looking at microsatelites and other services in the space and space-adjacent industries.
Applicants who have experience working with the development of sensors, advanced materials, robotics and augmented/virtual reality systems
will have skills which are highly valuable.
One of the advantages of operating in Australia, especially in the advanced manufacturing industry, is the access to nearby asian countries.
Timezones, close proximity and existing networks make Australia a positive environment.
If you are a global talent in the advanced manufacturing industry, this program might be a suitable way for you to obtain a permanent Australian visa
and work for an established company or establish your own.
Quantum Information/Advance Digital/Data Science and ICT
There is a lot of research taking place in advanced computational systems and the field of “big data”.
There is demand for high level talent with experience and aptitude in the area to make big breakthroughs.
Global talents are sought by universities, government research organisations and private industry to develop and apply quantum information/advance digital/data science and ICT.
Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) (TSS subclass 482 visa)
The GTES is an option for businesses to sponsor highly skilled workers who do not fit neatly into atarget sector. It has been open for applications since 1 July 2018.
One success story is Daniel Tan, the founder of Pencil Rocket who has obtained a SISA visa in connection with ecosystem provider Flinders New Venture Institute.
A new visa to attract highly skilled workers from around the globe is set to increase Australian visa options.
The Australian Government has announced that the new Global Talent Visa will come into effect from 1st July 2018 and will be trialled for one year.
It is believed that the new visa will attract people with exceptional technical skills and talent, which can be transferred to the Australian work-force and in turn encourage business growth.
“Industry figures say globally mobile, highly skilled and experienced staff can act as ‘job multipliers’ in Australian businesses, helping them to hire more local staff and fill critical areas of need.”
- Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash
If you think you are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa, take 5 minutes to complete our free online Global Talent assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
Highlights of the new Global Talent Visa Scheme
A key feature of the Global Talent Scheme is that it will be split into two streams:
Established business stream
Start-up stream
Successful applicants under both streams will have access to a 4-year visa within the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Programme which came into effect on 18 March 2018, providing visa holders a pathway to permanent residency after three years and certain age cap concessions.
Applications will be simpler and have faster processing times.
The new visa scheme in its current form is not limited to a specific list of occupations.
The features of the two streams:
Established business stream
Business must be publicly listed or have an annual turnover of at least A$4 million for each of the past 2 years
Access up to 20 positions per year
Available to accredited sponsors and other businesses
If the position ends, the visa holder has 60 days to find a new sponsor and a new visa or depart Australia
Business must show a good history i.e. no breaches of workplace or immigration law
Business must demonstrate a track record of giving first preference to Australian workers
Labour market testing for the specific position
Applicants must meet health, character and security requirements
They must have no family relationship with directors/shareholders
Qualifications must be compatible with the highly skilled role
Applicant must have at least 3 years work experience directly relevant to position
Capacity to pass on skills and help develop Australians workers
Position must have minimum annual earnings of A$180,000
Start-up stream
Business operates in STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field
A ‘start-up authority’ must endorse the business
Access up to 5 positions per year
Business must show a good history i.e. no breaches of workplace or immigration law
Business must demonstrate a track record of giving first preference to Australian workers
If the position ends (eg the start-up ceases trading) the visa holder has 60 days to find a new sponsor and a new visa or depart Australia
Labour market testing for the specific position
Applicants must meet health, character and security requirements
They must have no family relationship with directors/shareholders
Qualifications must be compatible with the highly skilled role
At least 3 years work experience directly relevant to position
Capacity to pass on skills and develop Australian workers
Minimum annual earnings at the market salary rate (this can include equity, but must have a cash component that is no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently A$53,900)).
More developments in the Entrepreneur/Start-up space
There is increasing interest in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship. The South Australian State Government has also recently announced that, with the cooperation of the Federal Government, South Australia will be trialling a new visa to attract budding entrepreneurs.
The newly announced South Australian Entrepreneurs visa is consistent with the South Australian Government’s aim to make Adelaide the start-up capital of Australia.We will provide more details as they become available.
In Conclusion
The Government recognises that there is increasing competition internationally for people with high-tech skills and experience, and believes that the new Global Talent Visa will allow Australian businesses to access the best talent across the world, leading to business growth, innovation, skills transfer and job creation.
From now until the visa is introduced on 1st July 2018, the initial settings will be refined, with an industry advisory group to provide ongoing guidance.
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