Competing in the international market for global talent, Australia offers a unique visa stream to incentivise the attraction of global talent to Australia. The Global Talent Schemeprovides streamlined pathways to permanent residence and in some circumstances provides concessions on more conventional visa requirements such as age or occupational requirements.

Global Talent Visa

The Subclass 858 visa is designed to attract highly talented individuals with entrepreneurial ideas and cutting-edge skills in specific target industry sectors who can contribute to the Australian economy through driving innovation and supporting the creation of local jobs.

To be eligible for the Subclass 858 visa, an applicant must:

• Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts or in academia and research.
• Have prominence within their area at time application, be an asset to the Australian community and have no difficulty in obtaining employment or become independently established in Australia within their area.
• Be invited to apply through an expression of interest process.
• Be endorsed by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same field as the prospective applicant and the nominator must be either an Australian organisation or an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Candidates for nomination should have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a within a target sector and must command remuneration above the Fair Work High income threshold or alternatively, have recently graduated with a PhD.

Target sectors

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

Global Talent Employer Sponsored

The Global Talent Employer Sponsored allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly-skilled niche positions that are unable filled through the Australian labour market or via other standard visa programs. Approval to nominate overseas workers may be sought by Established Businesses and Start-up Businesses. Subclass 186 and 482 visas are applicable to this program.

Established Businesses

Company requirements may include:

• Global Talent Employer Sponsored access will demonstrably support job opportunities and skills transfer to Australians;
• Labour market testing evidence for nominated positions;
• Good standing with regulatory agencies, including compliance with relevant immigration and workplace law;
• Endorsement status as an accredited sponsor under Temporary Skills Shortage arrangements;
• The position must have minimum annual earnings equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold.

Start-up Businesses

Company requirements may include:

• Global Talent Employer Sponsored access will demonstrably support job opportunities and skills transfer to Australians;
• Labour market testing evidence for nominated positions;
• Good standing with regulatory agencies, including compliance with relevant immigration and workplace law;
• Operation in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related field;
• Endorsement that the business is a viable and genuine start-up;
• Minimum investment thresholds;
• Nominated position must meet minimum market rates for guaranteed annual earnings.

Visa applicant requirements for Global Talent Employer Sponsored include:

• Minimum work experience requirements directly relevant to the nominated position;
• Qualifications which are relevant to the nominated role;
• Capacity to pass on skills and/or develop the Australian workforce;
• Absence of familial relationship to nominating company’s directors/shareholders;
• Public Interest Criteria requirements.

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