Overview
The GTI program operates through an additional layer on top of an existing visa – Distinguished Talent Visa (Subclass 124)
General Steps
Application process
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- If your EOI has been accepted, the Department of Home Affairs will provide you with an invitation reference identifier and invitation code in order to lodge a visa application.
- You must be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian organisation or permanent resident who has a national reputation in the same field as yours.
Target sectors
- Resources
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Energy
- Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
- Circular Economy
- DigiTech
- Infrastructure and Tourism
- Financial Services and FinTech
- Education
Expected salary threshold
Candidates should have the ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work high-income threshold of AUD$158,500. This figure is adjusted annually on 1 July.
Overview
The GTES program allows the employer to sponsor overseas workers for highly skilled positions that cannot be filled by Australian workers or through other standard visa programs such as Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas.
The criterion of the GTES program
Before the Department enters into an agreement, businesses must be able to demonstrate that they can’t fill the position through existing skilled visa programs.
- You will then be able to sponsor workers for a TSS visa under the GTES.
- The GTES is designed to benefit Australia and Australian workers.
- It aims to bring globally mobile, highly skilled and specialised individuals to Australia who can act as ‘job multipliers’ in Australian businesses, helping them to hire more local staff and fill critical areas of need.
Any position filled through a GTES agreement must provide opportunities for Australians by, for example:
- creating new jobs for Australians
- transferring skills and knowledge to Australian workers
*You must demonstrate how you realise these opportunities throughout the GTES agreement period.
General application process
Steps by steps process:
- Indicate your interest in the GTES.
- Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will make an assessment based on the information you have provided. Processing time is 6-11 business day based for complete application.
- If your business meets the criteria to enter into a GTES agreement, you will need to sign the agreement sent by DHA.
- Once an agreement has been executed, you will be provided with a unique code (Permission Request ID). You must use this when you lodge nomination applications online for overseas workers. Nominated workers can then apply for a TSS visa online.
Approved businesses who wish to apply must meet specific criteria and requirements to be considered for the GTES as stated below:
1. For the Established Business
Employer criteria
- Demonstrate that access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians.
- Labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement.
- The employer must be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws.
- Must be publicly listed or have an annual turnover of at least AUD4 million for each of the past 2 years.
- Be endorsed as a TSS accredited sponsor.
Applicant and position criteria
- Must meet health, character and security requirements.
- No familial relationship with directors/shareholders.
- Qualifications must be commensurate with the highly skilled role.
- At least 3 years work experience directly relevant to the position.
- Capacity to pass on skills/develop Australians.
- The position must have minimum annual earnings equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold.
2. For the Startup
Employer criteria
- Demonstrate that access to the GTES will support job opportunities and skills transfer for Australians.
- Labour market testing evidence for the specific positions as part of requesting a GTES agreement.
- The employer must be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies, including compliance with immigration and workplace laws.
- Operates in a technology-based or STEM-related field (eg digital, biomedical, AgTech).
- Independent startup advisory panel will assess and endorse the business as a viable and genuine startup.
Applicant and position criteria
- Must meet health, character and security requirements.
- No familial relationship with directors/shareholders.
- Qualifications must be commensurate with the highly skilled role.
- At least 3 years work experience directly relevant to the position.
- Capacity to pass on skills/develop Australians.
- The position must have minimum annual earnings equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold.
Overview
SISA is a new type of visa designed to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to pursue innovative ideas and build seed-stage businesses. SISA is being piloted in South Australia. If it proves to be a success, it will be implemented across the country.
Encouraging innovative business
Startups are critical to the Australian economy’s long-term success. Startups provide new jobs, encourage innovation, and provide chances for our economy to diversify.
SISA Visa aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Complementing the Business Innovation and Investment program’s current visas for startups and entrepreneurs
- Supporting South Australian entrepreneurship, produces jobs, and brings value to the state’s innovation ecosystem
- Ensuring that Australia remains open and competitive in attracting the best and brightest entrepreneurial talent needed to bring new ideas to market.
The SISA event
SISA is being implemented through the SISA event. The South Australian government is running the SISA event from November 2018 to November 2021.
The SISA event allows overseas and local entrepreneurs to share their experience, skills and talent, exchange ideas, learn from each other, collaborate and network – all to grow Australian innovation systems.
Entrepreneurs will participate in the SISA event by taking forward innovative ideas in South Australia. They will be encouraged and supported to develop their ideas through various activities such as master classes, networking events, learning how to pitch their ideas, and access to financial and legal advice.
In the SISA environment, successful overseas and local entrepreneurs will mentor and guide developing entrepreneurs, and investors can readily identify opportunities to back emerging and growing businesses.
Participating in SISA
Eligible overseas entrepreneurs can apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa to participate in SISA. The visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of the event.
In addition to the standard requirements for a Temporary Activity visa, applicants for a visa to participate in SISA must:
- be endorsed by the Government of South Australia to participate in SISA
- include a supporting business plan when applying for your visa
- be under 45 years of age at the time of application
- demonstrate a minimum of Vocational English
