What is a Global Talent visa (formerly Distinguished Talent visa)? (updated: 7 August 2023)

The Global Talent visa (initially named the Distinguished Talent visa) was introduced to attract highly talented individuals in the above four areas. Historically it’s been used by athletes, musicians, highly skilled researches amongst many others.

Some examples of past individuals being granted these visas include a Baker/Patisserie, a Researcher of Food Allergens, an Academic in Maritime Security, a Cricket player/coach, a breakdancer, and a violinist.

This is a very niche pathway with which there are only 300 spots available per year.

There also remains a pathway where an applicant may be granted this visa (bypassing all of the above requirements) in situations where in the Minister’s opinion the applicant has provided “specialised assistance” to the Australian Government in matters of security, having received appropriate advice from an intelligence or security agency or the Director-General of security.

On 4 November 2019, the Global Talent Independent (GTI) was launched to provide a streamlined, priority pathway for highly skilled and talented individuals whose profiles fit within certain targeted sectors. You can read more about this program here.

The GTI program utilises the Global Talent visa – but adds an additional layer, where an individual must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply under the Global Talent pathway. The Global Talent pathway has significant more spots available per year (5,000 for the 2023/24 migration programme year).

You cannot apply under the Global Talent pathway without first receiving an invitation to do so, and if you do – you would simply be considered under the “Distinguished Talent” pathway – which means you would not have access to priority processing, and you’d be subject to the 300 spots per year (which is highly competitive).

There also remains a pathway where an applicant may be granted this visa (bypassing all of the above requirements including the nomination – as set out below) if the applicant has been endorsed by the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction. This pathway is now closed.

Although the visa application is lodged online, the Form 1000 (which has to be completed by the nominator) is still a paper-based form that then needs to be scanned and uploaded.

Your nominator must complete this form, and they must be an:

• Australian Citizen/PR/eligible NZ Citizen; or
• Australian organisation

who has a “national reputation” in relation to the area.

The nomination process is basically an endorsement of your skills, rather than a “sponsorship” with attached obligations (other than to tell the truth of course).

We recommend:

• reviewing your nominators profile to ensure that they have a “national reputation” before asking them to assist; and
• sending the Form 1000 to your nominator when you first ask them to assist to ensure that they’re comfortable with providing what is on the form.

Both of these steps are to save an awkward conversation down the line.

You can read an article we wrote about the Form 1000 and nominator’s here.

The key criteria is being able to demonstrate that you have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in your field. This is to distinguish “ordinary” individuals.

The successful individuals with whom Hannan Tew Lawyers have advised and assisted have: received international awards, held high rankings, had media coverage of their achievements/work, made publications (general/academic), hold patents, spoken at conferences, work in highly innovative areas with emerging technologies, and/or have held senior positions at international companies.

Individuals who are either under 18 years, or 55 years and older must demonstrate that they would be of “exceptional benefit” to the Australian community.

The visa applicant must also be of good health and character, which means that police clearances and health examinations must be provided/undertaken.