The Global Talent Visa Program, also knowns as Global Talent Independent Program (GTI program) was launched by the Australian Government in November 2019 to offer a streamlined, priority visa pathway for highly skilled and talented migrants with international expertise in certain high growth industries and with high earning capacity. This program offers a permanent visa, to allow the new migrants to live and work anywhere in Australia.
The global talent independent program provides the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)with the ability to attract up to 15,000 highly skilled migrants each year to help grow target industries, drive innovation and facilitate the transfer of skills (the GTI cap was previously set at 5,000 places during the scheme’s first year in 2019-20 financial year).
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Target sectors of the global talent independent program:
Through the registration of a new Ministerial Direction, the DHA has recently expanded the priority sectors to include the following:
- Resources;
- Agri-food and AgTech;
- Energy;
- Health industries;
- Defence, advanced manufacturing and space;
- Financial services and FinTech;
- Digitech (previously covered under ‘quantum information, advanced digital, data science and ICT’);
- Infrastructure and tourism (new target sector);
- Circular economy (new target sector);
- Education (new target sector)
Key features of the global talent independent program include:
- Invitation only permanent visa application
- Priority processing arrangements
- Higher upper age limit of 55 (with concessions)
- Unlike employer sponsored programs, no sponsorship requirements or Skilling Australians Fund levy to pay (freedom to work for any employer)
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the global talent independent program, individuals must:
- have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the above target sectors;
- demonstrate that you are either:
- likely to earn at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold, which is currently AUD153,600 per year (for 2020/21 financial year). This figure will be adjusted annually from 1 July.
- are a high-performing recent PhD graduate in one of the target sectors listed above.
- have a nominator who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field as you. The nominator needs to attest to your achievements and international standing and is not required to provide you with employment or assist you to become established in Australia.
- meet a high standard and show an exceptional track record of professional achievement. This may include senior roles, patents, professional awards and international publications and memberships.
Places are also available to PhD graduates, and certain PhD students who are nearing completion of their thesis and can demonstrate their exceptional talent and international recognition in a target sector.
Impact for Australian employers
Highly skilled employees who do not fit within the parameters of the standard employer sponsored visa programs will benefit from the expanded priority sectors and flexibility provided under the Global Talent Independent program.
How Andersen in Australia can assist you
For further information on the global talent independent program and how to apply for the visa, please contact our office and Andersen in Australia can connect you with one of our immigration partnered firms.
