New visa pathway for highly skilled professionals under the Global Talent Scheme is now in effect.

In March 2018 the Australian Government announced the Global Talent Scheme (GTS) targeting talent and innovation in Australia.

GTS will run under the TSS visa program from 01.07.2018, initially for 12 months. It aims to benefit Australia and Australian workers by providing Australian businesses (established businesses and also StartUps) the opportunity to hire highly-skilled, experienced and globally mobile staff for positions in their business.

Key Innovations by the GTS include for instance:

The occupation ANZSCO code does not need to be listed on occupational lists, e.g. MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL
Variance from standard TSS visa requirements negotiable
Visa validity of up to 4 years and PR pathway
Negotiable age requirements on pathways to PR

Employers in turn will be required to demonstrate how these positions create opportunities for Australian workers and Australia.

Australian Government’s innovation agenda
(or: the Global War for Talent)

There are two streams under the GTS.

Established Business Stream with the key features:

Employers

Must be TSS accredited sponsors
Must have an annual turnover of at least $4 million for each of the past 2 years
Must offer minimum annual earnings of at least $145,400 p.a. (as of 07/2018)
etc.

The Employee to be nominated

must be highly-skilled with cutting-edge skills to contribute to innovation in an established business
must have relevant qualifications and at least 3 years relevant work experience
must not have familial relationship with directors/shareholders
etc.

Startup Stream with the key features:

Employers

must operate in Australia’s developing startup scene in the technology based or STEM area (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics)
must offer minimum annual earnings of at least $80,000 p.a. (as of 07/2018)
etc.

The employee to be nominated