Last updated: July 2023

GLOBAL TALENT

Exceptionally talented individuals may be eligible for a fast-tracked visa through the ‘Global Talent Independent Program’.

What is the ‘Global Talent Independent Program’?

It’s an initiative designed to attract and streamline visa opportunities for highly talented and entrepreneurial people, particularly in technology and related fields.  

The Global Talent Independent Program is an “invitation only” program, which was launched in October 2019, and aims to locate and invite the “best and brightest” talent into Australia, with the possibility of a fast-tracked permanent residency visa, with a reduction in red tape, compared to the usual business or employer sponsored visa streams.

In its first year of operation, the Program resulted in the grant of more than 5,000 permanent visas to highly talented people.   In the second and third years of the program the program numbers increased to 15,000.

For the 2023-24 Program Year, the Government has allocated a cap of 5,000 Global Talent Visa places.

This represents a significant decrease over last year’s figures, making places more competitive.

What does the GTI Program offer?

  • A permanent residency visa with unrestricted work and study rights.
  • Your family can accompany you on this visa.
  • Priority processing, leading to a speedier outcome.

Why is Australia focussed on Talent?

Australia is a growing economy, in a large land mass with a relatively small, but ageing, population of 26.4 million people.  It is a multicultural country, with a strong history of migration. Over time, the targeted Skilled Migration Program has resulted in a lowering of the average age of the population.  Australia’s birth rate therefore depends on migration for population and economic growth.

Highly talented individuals are multipliers.  They will come into Australia, and participate in businesses and initiatives that will grow, produce economic output, create jobs for Australians, innovate, and increase Australia’s competitiveness in the global economy.

It makes sense for Australia to incentivise and reward highly talented and successful people, welcome them to our country, and help them achieve success, which will in turn benefit all Australians.

What does “Exceptional Talent” mean?

In the context of the Global Talent Program, the definition of Talent is not tightly described.  Many successful applicants for this visa do not fit neatly with defined descriptions in occupation lists, however they are typically at the cutting edge of innovation and entrepreneurship.

A successful candidate is likely to have a mix of the following characteristics:

  • Innovator and Entrepreneur;
  • Highly skilled in a particular area;
  • Has contributed internationally to their field of expertise;
  • Brings global connections and business opportunities to Australia;
  • Can quickly establish themselves;
  • Can attract and raise investment through venture capital or grant funding;
  • May already be in Australia, working for an employer;
  • Attracts, or will be able to attract, a salary over the Fair Work High Income Threshold (currently $162,000)
  • Has in-demand skills in a target sector;
  • Has recently graduated from university with a relevant qualification and very high marks.

Target Sectors

Australia prescribes a list of target sectors, to which Global Talent aspirants must relate.

These Sectors may change without notice and will be driven by demand and economic factors.

Currently the Target Sectors are:

  • Agri-Food and Agri-Tech
  • Financial Services and FinTech
  • Health Industries and Medical Technology
  • Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
  • Circular Economy
  • Resources
  • Digitech
  • Infrastructure and Tourism
  • Education
  • Energy

In particular, a major focus for the government has been COVID response and economic recovery.  Highly talented individuals in targeted sectors will play an important role in restoring Australia’s economy in the years ahead.

To be eligible to be considered under the Global Talent Program, you must demonstrate that you have an international record of achievement within one of the above sectors.  While this would normally incorporate people who have qualifications and direct experience in the above fields, it could also include people who play a highly significant support role in these target sectors. 

For example, one of our GTI recipients was a Human Resources Specialist with an exceptional record of achievement in global FinTech startup companies, who was able to demonstrate the value of her skill set within the Australian startup landscape.

Australian Nominator – Individual or Organisation

You must be specially invited to apply for the Global Talent Program.  As part of this, you must also be nominated for the Global Talent Visa.  This could be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, who has a national reputation in the same field as yourself.  Alternatively, the nomination may be made by an organisation – for example, the peak body for your profession, or a university.

Note – we do not find a nominator for you, as part of our service.  However, we do provide a detailed fact sheet with ideas about where and how you can start to look for a nominator.

Recent Graduate Pathway – Criteria

As well as seeking highly experienced people who are already in the workforce, the Global Talent Independent Program has a stream which is available for certain recent University Graduates.

To qualify, you must have graduated in the last 3 years, from a recognised University (either in Australia or another country), with a PhD.

Your field of study must be relevant to the Target Sectors.  Plus, your research must be of international interest or significance.  Even though you may not be earning a high salary now, you’d have to demonstrate that you have the capacity to earn a salary over the Fair Work High Income Threshold in the near future.

High performing Masters and Bachelor (Hons) Graduates are unable to receive a Global Talent Independent invitation through the Recent Graduate Pathway, solely based on their qualification and marks.  This does not preclude a Masters of Bachelor (Hons) Graduate from applying for GTI if they can demonstration international prominence in their field. 

Recent Emergico Global Talent Clients

At Emergico we are fortunate to have assisted a wide range of clients with the Global Talent (Independent) visa. 

They have come from all continents across the world.  

Here is an outline of the background of just some of the  70+ people we have helped with the Global Talent program so far.

  • Global Pharmaceutical Executive and Entrepreneur;
  • Design Engineer working in the Agricultural space;
  • Banking Entrepreneur who is founding a Neo Bank;
  • Risk and Compliance manager within the financial technology industry;
  • Highly qualified Aviation and Space Executive;
  • Recent PhD Graduate in Financial Technology;
  • Medical Practitioners who are internationally renowned in specialities including Anaesthetics, Orthopaedic surgery, Psychiatry, Rural and Remote Health, and Neurosurgery;
  • Managing Director of a multinational corporation’s Startup Accelerator Program;
  • Business Entrepreneur in the Health Insurance Industry technology field;
  • Technology Entrepreneur in Financial and Energy Technology;
  • Managing Director of a global mining technology company with a job offer,
  • PhD qualified Research Scientist working in an agricultural biotech field;
  • Startup Entrepreneur working in Financial Technology;
  • Award winning Graduate in Mining Technology;
  • Business entrepreneur in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, utilizing alternative fuels.
  • Artificial Intelligence graduate and entrepreneur.
  • PhD graduate in Quantum Physics and NanoTechnology.
  • Entrepreneur in the international gas transportation industry.
  • Software entrepreneur providing business management solutions for huge global companies. 

There are many additional skill sets which may qualify you for the Global Talent Visa. 

A professional review of your skill set is recommended, if you feel that you may qualify for this visa pathway.

Managing a Global Talent Visa Application

Global Talent is a unique and exciting addition to Australia’s Migration Program.

Most people who are eligible for Global Talent will need no convincing about the wisdom of engaging an experienced professional to assist with their application. 

All visa applications come with complexity, including detailed eligibility criteria which are not always apparent on the surface.  You need to make sure that all the planets align for you, right from the beginning.

The GT Independent Program is capped in numbers (5000 for the 2024 migration year), and highly competitive, with inquiries coming from around the world.

Our director, Leanne Stevens, is highly experienced with this visa type and has a background in business and entrepreneurship.  Leanne is well connected with industry and entrepreneurial businesses, as well as having an appreciation of the numerous state and territory government industries of priority focus. 

Leanne will help to guide you through the visa aspects, while continuing to add value to your journey through strategic connections and referrals where appropriate.

Whether you’re a business or a talented individual, for a confidential initial discussion with Leanne, please contact us at or contact Leanne directly.

Phone:  +61 7 3861 0726
Direct email:  leanne@emergico.com

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