Global Talent Independent Program – A Faster Way to Obtain Permanent Residency in Australia?

On 4 November 2019, the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program was officially launched by the Department of Home Affairs aiming to provide a prioritised and expedited permanent residency pathway for highly skilled individuals and their families in specific, targeted sectors. For the 2019/20 migration program, it is reported that the Department has allocated 5,000 spots under this program.

What is the Global Talent Independent Program?

The Global Talent Independent program offers a priority streamlined visa pathway for highly skilled individuals to permanently reside in Australia.

The key sectors of talents that the Department is focusing on for the GTI programs are:

  • AgTech

  • Space and Advanced Manufacturing

  • Fintech

  • Energy and Mining Technology

  • MedTech

  • Cyber Security

  • Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT.

 

The GTI program is designed to attract highly specialised and skilled migrants in any of the above sectors to migrate to Australia through the Distinguished Talent Visa (onshore or offshore).

In addition, to further ensure the application process for the suitable candidates is as smooth as possible, the Department has introduced the engagement of “Global Talent Officers (GTO)”. The GTOs are known to be located in key locations in Berlin, Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore and Washington DC. The roles of the GTO include but not limited to:

  • work with countries in those regions and attend key events/expos to promote this program.

  • Scout key talents in local regions and assess Expressions of Interest from different candidates from other regions

  • Short interviews with suitable candidates, etc.

The Global Talent Independent Program Process

 Candidates must successfully go through all the three stages of the application process before they are granted the visa. The three stages involve:

  • Obtaining a unique identifier

  • Nominated by one of the prominent Australian figures in the same industry/background, or an industry peak body

  • Visa application

 

Step 1: The Unique Identifier Issued by the Department

 In order to receive a unique identifier to be considered under the GTI program, the candidate must submit an EOI via the Skill Select to the Department.

Before a unique identifier can be issued to the prospective candidates, the Department must first assess and be satisfied that the candidate is someone with:

  • an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” and

  • is able to:

    • attract a salary equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT), currently AUD $148,700 or;

    • a highly graded recent Ph.D. or Masters Graduate.

Requirements for recent graduates and Masters Graduate are listed below:

Recent graduate with research background must:

  • Undertake a research that is internationally recognised and relevant to the targeted industries in the past three years with

    • A Master degree with at least 80% average or a

    • PhD or those within the last semester (6 months) of submitting their thesis

 

Step 2: Nomination Process for the GTI Program

After being issued the unique identifier, the Candidate can proceed with lodging the visa application online. As part of the visa application, there must be a Form 1000 (which has to be completed by the nominator) submitted with the application.

Some of the requirements of the “nominator” are they must be:

  • An Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen; or

  • An Australian organisation; and

  • they must have a “national reputation” in relation to the area

 

Step 3: Visa Application for the GTI Program

Apart from the health and character requirements, the primary visa applicant must also demonstrate that he/she has an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their nominated sector” and will be an asset for Australia and the Australian community.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

As the GTI is a pilot program, the policies and laws around the program are still being tested by the department, hence a quota of 5000 candidates was chosen for the 2019/2020 migration program. No confirmation or announcement has been made on whether the GTI program will be suspended once this quota is met. Therefore, if you feel that you may be eligible for this program, we highly recommend all candidates to contact us as soon as possible.

Our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents are currently assisting clients across different sectors to apply for the Global Talent Independent program. Get in contact with us today at info@ahclawyers.com or call us on 02 7200 2700.

We speak fluent English, Korean, Burmese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

 

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact our office.

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