Joint media release with Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs the Hon David Coleman MP 

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman today launched the Global Talent - Independent Program, a major new initiative in Australia’s immigration strategy.

Under the new program, highly skilled migrants in selected industries will receive a fast-tracked process to permanent residency in Australia.

Applicants will have a dedicated Home Affairs contact to guide them through the process, and applications will receive the highest priority processing.

Applicants will be eligible for permanent residency if they are likely to earn more than $149,000 per year in Australia, and they are highly skilled in one of seven key industry sectors. The usual character, security and integrity checks will apply to all applicants.

The seven industry sectors are AgTech, FinTech, MedTech, Cyber Security, Energy and Mining, Space and Advanced Manufacturing, and Quantum Information/Advanced Digital/ Data Science and ICT.

Global Talent Officers from the Department of Home Affairs have already been deployed in Berlin, Washington DC, Singapore, Shanghai, Santiago, and Dubai, and will have regional coverage. An officer has also started in New Delhi today, to further the reach of the program.

“With this program, we are targeting the world’s most highly skilled migrants,” Mr Coleman said.

“We want to position Australia at the forefront of major growth trends in the world economy. By enabling local businesses to access the world’s best talent, we will help to grow high growth industries in Australia.

“Over time, the Global Talent program has the potential to have a transformative impact on the Australian economy.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Global Talent – Independent program will drive growth in the Australian technology industry and will also see local jobs created.

“These high-growth sectors exist in truly global markets. For our domestic tech industry to grow, businesses need to be able to hire skilled Australian workers as well as access the capabilities of specialists from across the world,” Minister Andrews said.

“We can create high-paying local jobs by making Australia a global technology hub and the Global Talent program is a signal to tech companies that we’re open for business.”

Up to 5,000 places will be offered in the Global Talent - Independent program in 2019/20.

More information about the program is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Media contacts:

Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070

Minister Coleman's office 02 6277 7770