Australian Immigration Daily News

The Global Talent Independent program (GTI) represents a new way of approaching highly skilled migration to Australia.  The program is designed to strengthen Australia’s ability to compete for the world’s best and brightest skilled migrants and support Australian businesses of the future. 

The Hon David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, formally launched the GTI program on 4 November 2019 and announced the eligibility requirements for candidates to be invited to apply.  

These include that a GTI candidate:

•             is highly skilled and internationally recognised in one of seven target sectors; and

•             has the ability to earn the Fair Work High Income Threshold (currently $148,700). 

The seven GTI program target sectors have been selected to foster growth in future-focused industries and include:

•             AgTech

•             FinTech

•             MedTech

•             Cyber Security  

•             Space and Advanced Manufacturing

•             Energy and Mining Technology

•             Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT

While these sectors are for current targeting and focus, this is not to the exclusion of other industries, with scope to consider highly talented individuals in related fields. 

Candidates who meet the above requirements may be eligible to apply for a Distinguished Talent visa via the GTI program.   Candidates accepted into the program will receive streamlined, priority processing with complete visa applications currently taking less than a month to finalise.  

This is a permanent residence visa allowing the applicant to live and work anywhere in Australia. All applicants will need to meet the required regulatory criteria and be subject to health, character and integrity checking before a visa can be granted. 

Please see below a summary outlining the GTI referral and application process. 

Step 1: Referral

Referrals to the program should be made through the Global Talent Contact Form: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/global-talent-contact-form

As part of the referral process the Contact Form will ask for information including; candidate details, evidence of global talent (industry/sector) and occupation.  The Contact Form also provides the option to attach evidence required to demonstrate an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in the sector of employment along with evidence of current salary. 

Step 2: Consideration for GTI Program

Once referred, the Department will review the referral and may invite a candidate to apply under the GTI program.  A unique GTI identifier number will be emailed to invited GTI candidates along with further information on the Distinguished Talent visa application process, subclass 124 (offshore) or subclass 858 (onshore). 

Step 3: Visa Application

The applicant can then lodge their Distinguished Talent visa application (Form 47SV) using the same Contact Form (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/global-talent-contact-form).  Applicants should refer to the checklist under Part M of Form 47SV for guidance.  A nomination from an eligible Australian organisation or individual attesting to the applicant’s achievements must also be submitted with the visa application (Form 1000).  If a candidate does not have an eligible nominator at time of referral to the program, please advise the Department at Step 1.  There are no sponsorship obligations attached to this visa or obligations placed on the nominating organisation post visa grant. 

Below is an e-flyer associated with the program.  Migration Alliance has permission to disseminate this information to members of Migration Alliance.  Further information on GTI and specific visa requirements can also be found at:

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

Additional information:

Fact-sheet---Global-Talent-Independent-Program.pdf

and

47sv.pdf

and

Form-1000.pdf