The Program details:

The program aims to bring highly skilled individuals worldwide to Australia and attract them to join the top future-focused sectors.

Thus, the program opens new possibilities to Australians by promoting innovation, building new job sectors, and transferring skills.

To bring global talents to Australia, the Federal Government collaborates with different industry bodies, universities, states, and territory government agencies.

To be eligible for this program, one must have the capacity to earn a salary over the High Income Threshold or hold a high-grade recent Masters or Ph.D. degree within the following sectors.

Target Sectors:

• Agricultural Technology
• Financial Technology
• Space and Advanced Manufacturing
• Medical Technology
• Mining and Energy Technology
• Cyber Security
• Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT, Quantum Information

Expected Salary Threshold

According to the recent adjustment on July 1, 2020, the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) is AUD 153,600. The candidates applying to this program have to attract a salary equal to or above this threshold.

Criteria that the Department considers while assessing this salary threshold are:

• Current salary ( evidenced by contract document or pay-slips), or
• Future job offers to mention the remuneration, or
• Recent Ph.D. or Master’s graduates in the target fields

Apply for the Visa

Being a part of the application, you need a recommendation from a nominator. The nominator must have a national reputation in the same sector as you are and be either of the following:

• An eligible permanent resident or citizen of Australia
• An eligible citizen of New Zealand
• An eligible Australian organization

Visa Types

Based on whether you are inside or outside of Australia, select the proper visa subclass on the application while lodging. Unless you choose the correct subclass, your application will not be considered valid.

• Lodge Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent visa if you are outside the country at the time of applying for the visa.
• Lodge Subclass 858 Distinguished Talent Visa if you are inside the country at the time of applying for the visa.

With this visa, you can:

• Study and work in Australia
• Permanently live in Australia.
• Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency in Australia
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

For these visas, you must:

• Be inside Australia (Subclass 858) or outside Australia (Subclass 124) when you apply and the time this visa is granted.
• Hold an internationally acknowledged record of excellent and extraordinary performance in any of the sectors below:

• • a profession
  • research and academia
  • a sport
  • the arts
• Be endorsed by a nominator who is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, eligible New Zealander, or an Australian organization related to your talent sector.