The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly skilled niche positions which cannot be filled via the standard Subclass 482 visa.
The Gloabl Talent Employer Sponsored program provides a unique opportunity for highly skilled individuals
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly skilled niche positions which cannot be filled visa the standard Subclass 482 visa. Before the Department enters into an agreement, businesses must be able to demonstrate that they cannot fill the position through existing skilled visa programs. The GTES program can then be used to obtain Subclass 482 visas with modified eligiblity requirements.
For further information, see our GTES FAQs section or contact us directly.
Target Market
- established business or start-ups seeking highly skilled employees
- high income earning employees
- unique / novel occupations
Process
- a Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreement should be made with the Department
- once obtained, you can apply for a Sublcass 482 nomination and visa subject to the approved GTES agreement
Streams
- Established Business: For comapnies which are publicly listed or have an annual turnover of at least AUD4 million for each of the past 2 years
- Startup: Operates in a technology based or STEM-related field (eg digital, biomedical, agtech), and will require an assessment by an independent startup advisory panel will who must endorse the business as a viable and genuine startup.
Eligibility
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program allows highly talented individuals to live and work in Australia temporarily, witih pathways to permannet residence. General eligibility requirements are set out on this page, but feel free to contact us at [email protected] to discuss your specific requirements.
Sponsor Eligibility (Established Businesses)
Broadly speaking, an Established Buinsess must:
- Demonstrate that access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians
- Provide labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement
- Must be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws
- Must be publicly listed or have an annual turnover of at least AUD4 million for each of the past 2 years
- Be endorsed as a TSS accredited sponsor
Visa eligibility
Broadly speaking, the applicant and position must:
- Meet health, character and security requirements
- Have no familial relationship with directors or shareholders
- Have qualifications must be commensurate with the highly skilled role
- Have at least 3 years work experience directly relevant to the position
- Have the capacity to pass on skills or develop Australians
- Be offered minimum annual earnings equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold
Eligibility
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program allows highly talented individuals to live and work in Australia temporarily, witih pathways to permannet residence. General eligibility requirements are set out on this page, but feel free to contact us at [email protected] to discuss your specific requirements.
Sponsor Eligibility (Established Businesses)
Broadly speaking, startups must:
- Demonstraet that access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians
- Provide labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement
- Be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws
- Have received an investment of at least AUD50,000 from an investment fund registered as an Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership OR receipt of an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant
- Operate in a technology based or STEM-related field (eg digital, biomedical, agtech) (an independent startup advisory panel will assess and endorse the business as a viable and genuine startup)
Visa eligibility
Broadly speaking, an applicant and position must:
- Meet health, character and security requirements
- Not have familial relationship with directors or shareholders
- Have qualifications commensurate with the highly skilled role
- Have at least 3 years work experience directly relevant to position
- Have the capacity to pass on skills or develop Australians
- Be offered minimum annual earnings at the market salary rate, but not less than AUD80,000. This can include equity, but must have a cash component that is no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
Documents
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
There are several steps in applying for a visa through the Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program, which includes: obtaining a GTES Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs and, if successful, apply for the subsequent Subclass 482 nomination and visa application. You may wish to see advice and assistance from a qualified Immigration Lawyer.
GTES Agerement documents
- submissions that the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians
- labour market testing evidence for the occupations sought
- financial statements
- evidence of accredited TSS sponsorship (for established businesses)
- evidence of an investment of at least AUD50,000 from an investment fund registered as an Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership OR receipt of an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant (for startups)
Nomination documents
- position description
- employment contract
- evidence that the nominated position is being remunerated in line with the annual market salary rate
- evidence of Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements (see here)
- submissitions in relation to position eligibility
Visa documents
- Passport sized photograph of all applicants
- Birth certificate for included children
- If in a married relationship, a copy of your marriage certificate (translated)
- If in de facto relationship, evidence of at least 6 months of (i) shared finances (bank / credit card statements) (ii)living together (lease, correspondence at same address) and (iii) social (messages to each other)
- If children are between 18 and 23, evidence of financial dependency (see here)
- If including a child under 18 where a parent is not included, evidence of custody (see here)
- CV (up to date)
- Educational qualification certificates
- Employment references from previous employers (if required)
- English testing (if required)
- Registration, licensing and professional membership certificate (if required)
- Police certificates for any country (including Australia) that an applicant aged 16 or over has resided in for 12 months or more (cumulatively)
- Health examinations (if required)
Process
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
Unlike many visas to Australia, you cannot apply for a visa via the Global Talent Employer Spnsored (GTES) program directly. There is a particular process which must be followed, including obtianing a GTES agreement first, and then applying for the associated nomination and visa applicaitons.
Gathering the documents
The first step is preparing all the documentation required for the application to ensure that the Department of Home Affairs (Department) has all the information available to correctly assess your eligibility for the program (see documents tab). Startups may wish to contact [email protected] for further information about documents required.
Submitting a GTES Agreement
You will need to submit a Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program application via the ImmiAccount (for established businesses) or via email for startups The GTES agreement applicaiton is free to submit.
Applying for the visa
After a Global Talent Empoyer Sponsored (GTES) agreement is in place, the next step is to apply for a Subclass 482 nomiation and visa via an ImmiAccount, a portal managed by the Department. You will need to:
- Log-in or create an ImmiAccount on the Department’s website
- Complete the nomionation and visa application form
- Attach relevant documents
- Pay the visa application charges and lodge the application.
Ensure that all family members accompanying the main visa applicant are also added to your visa application.
After application
The Department will send an acknowledgement letter once your application has been received.
The standard processing times for the Subclass 482 visa as at February 2025is that:
- 50% are processed in 4 days; and
- 90% are processed in 11 days.
This is subject to change, and the current processing times published by the Department.
No updates on the application will be provided during the standard processing time. If more information is required, this will be requested via email. You can read more about what to expect after your visa is lodged at our blog.
Do not travel to Australia until the outcome of your visa application is received and you have been granted the visa (or you otherwise obtain another visa).
Be sure to advise the Department if there are any mistakes on your application, or if your personal circumstances change after you have applied.
Visa outcome
The Department will advise you of the outcome of your GTES visa application in writing, which confers temporary residence. If your visa application is successful, you will be provided a PDF grant letter, which advises of:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts and ends
- applicable visa conditions.
This visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you would not need a visa label or to attend any Embassy/Consulates. Retain an electronic copy of this grant letter for when you arrive, and whilst you live in Australia.
Global Talent Employer Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program in Australia?
To be eligible to lodge (apply for) the GTES program, your employer must first obtain a GTES Agreement from the Department.
Candidates can then submit nomimation and visa applications through the Department’s ImmiAccount.
Can I commence work before my visa application is approved?
Unless you have an existing visa with appropriate work authorisation, you must not commence work with your employer until your Subclass 482 visa is approved.
Can I include my family?
Yes, you can include anybody who is a “Member of the Family Unit”, which generally includes your spouse/de facto partner, and certain children in your visa application.
There are specific requirements for children over the age of 18 to demonstrate dependency. Children 23 years or above cannot be included except in very limited circumstances.
You cannot include parents or siblings in your visa application, even if they are dependent on you. Applicants under 18 years of age have a special exemption to be able to include parents.
I have a dependent partner, can they work?
Yes, if granted, your partner will haver a Subclass 482 visa with full work authorisation in Australia. This means they can work for any employer in any capacity.
Can my children study?
Yes. However, different States / Territories in Australia have different requirements and fees may be applicable. We strongly recommend that you explore this with the education provider directly.
Should I just book my health examinations and obtain police clearances?
The Department have appointed particular panel doctors who are authorised to conduct health examinations for Australian visa purposes.
If the health examinations are not carried out by these individuals, they will need to be redone.
The Department also require specific police clearances.
Please wait for instructions from your Hannan Tew advisor to ensure that you don’t unnecessarily incur any costs or loss of time.
I need to do an English assessment for my Subclass 482 visa application, which one is appropriate?
If you do require an English assessment, you need to undertake one of the following:
- IELTS
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- CAE
They are all considered equivalent, and the one most suitable for you is a matter of preference. To book the test, search for the respective test names on your preferred internet search engine followed by your location.
What assistance can immigration lawyers provide with the Global Talent Employer Sponsored program?
Hannan Tew Lawyers are leading Australian immigration lawyers. We have assisted a significant amount of individuals in applying for the Global Talent Employer Sponsored program and more broadly, the Employer Sponsored program.
We have been interviewed by various media outlets including ITnews and SBS regarding our insights and views on the GTI program, and on our insights on immigration more broadly which can be read at our Media page. We have also delivered sold out CPD sessions via industry bodies to education other Migration Agents/Lawyers on this program.
Disclaimer
The information contained here is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or give rise to an attorney-client relationship between you and our firm. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more indepth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances conducted by competent professionals, and (iii) does not represent an opinion from Hannan Tew or any of its agents with regard to the laws of any of the jurisdictions concerned. The information does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.
What can we do for you?
Our staff are well placed to assist with all issues in relation to the Global Talent Employer Sponsored program. We have worked with startups and established businesses, and assisted a number of individuals in unique occupations use this program to apply for the Subclass 482 visa, and eventually obtain permanent residence.
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