Global Talent Scheme for Highly-Skilled Foreign Nationals Introduced

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At a Glance

The Australian government has announced the launch of the Global Talent Scheme pilot program, a facilitated immigration pathway intended to attract highly- and uniquely-talented foreign nationals to engage in innovative and entrepreneurial activity in Australia. The pilot program will run for 12 months starting July 2018. Fragomen has been working with the Department of Home Affairs on the design of the scheme as part of an expert Industry Advisory Group.

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The situation

The Australian government has announced the launch of a Global Talent Scheme (GTS) pilot program. The pilot program will run for 12 months starting July 2018.

Fragomen’s involvement

Fragomen has worked closely with the government and other stakeholders to design and implement the GTS pilot. The Minister of Immigration established an Industry Advisory Group (IAG) consisting of industry experts from a variety of fields including startups, tech and biomedical sectors, as well as organisations representing businesses and research institutions.

A closer look

• Program details.
  • The GTS is a new labour agreement pathway under the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa program designed for highly-skilled roles that cannot be filled by Australians and are not suitably accommodated in other work or skilled visa programs or currently available labour agreements.
  • The program offers two streams (Established Businesses stream; and Startup Businesses stream), which both provide more flexible criteria than standard TSS program requirements.

 

• Program benefits.
  • The Department of Home Affairs will process GTS labour agreement applications within 11 business days,  distinct from standard labour agreements, which take six months to process.
  • The program provides approved employers unrestricted access to roles, and is not limited by the occupation lists used in the TSS program.
  • Approved visas will be valid for up to four years regardless of nominated occupation.
  • Sponsors may also negotiate access to a permanent residency pathway under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) regardless of occupation, and negotiate flexible upper age limits. The standard upper age limit under ENS is 45 years.

 

• Eligibility for Accredited Sponsors. Accredited Sponsors can apply for access to a GTS labour agreement if the following requirements are met:
  • The roles will have a positive impact on job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians;
  • The roles are labour market tested;
  • The roles attract a salary of at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD 145,400 in the current financial year); and
  • The nominee has at least three years' relevant work experience and the capacity to transfer skills to Australians.

 

• Eligibility for startups
  • Startup businesses operating in a technology, science, engineering or math-related field are eligible to apply.
  • The startup must either have received an investment of at least AUD 50,000 from an investment fund registered as an Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership or an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant.
  • The roles proposed to be nominated:
    • Must have a demonstrated positive impact on job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians;
    • Must be labour market tested; and
    • Must attract a remuneration package of at least AUD 80,000, including cash components that meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold of AUD 53,900.
  • The nominee has at least three years' relevant work experience and the capacity to transfer skills to Australians.

 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you consider GTS suitable for your business needs and are interested in participating in the pilot, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

MARN 0849574