Distinguished Talent Visa Australia — Subclass 124
Important notice:
The Distinguished Talent Visa (Subclass 124) is closed to new applications. This visa was part of Australia’s former distinguished talent migration framework and is no longer available for new applicants.
If you are seeking an Australian visa based on exceptional achievements and a high level of talent, the current pathway is the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858). This is a permanent visa for exceptionally talented individuals who can make a significant contribution to Australia’s future prosperity.
About the Subclass 124 Visa
The distinguished talent visa is a permanent residence visa for individuals who hold an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field — and who are still prominent and active in that field.
To qualify for the 124 visa, you must:
- Be outside Australia when the visa is granted
- Hold an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following fields, and still be prominent in it: a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research
- Be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field
124 Visa Requirements — The High Test You Must Meet
Meeting the distinguished talent visa requirements is genuinely demanding. To qualify for the subclass 124 visa, you must:
- Hold an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in your profession, sport, artistic field or area of academic or scientific research
- Be still prominent and active in that field at the time of application
- Demonstrate that you would be an asset to the Australian community through your continued work in your field
- Show you would have no difficulty obtaining employment or establishing yourself independently in your field in Australia
- Receive a nomination from one of the following:
- An Australian peak body or organisation with a national reputation in your field
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
Your nominator must hold a national reputation in your field and be highly regarded throughout Australia. A reputation in one state or region alone does not satisfy this requirement — the nominator’s standing must be genuinely national.
Distinguished Talent Visa Cost (Subclass 124)
The 124 visa cost (Government Visa Application Charge) is AU$4,110 for the main applicant. Additional charges apply for each family member included in the application.
Verify the current fee on homeaffairs.gov.au before publishing — 124 visa charges update on 1 July each year.
Age Requirement
The distinguished talent visa carries no minimum or maximum age limit — applicants of any age may apply. However, if you are under 18 years old or aged 55 years or older at the time of application, you must demonstrate that you would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. This is an additional threshold above the standard distinguished talent requirements and requires compelling evidence.
English Language Requirements
All applicants for the subclass 124 visa must hold at least Functional English. If you do not meet the Functional English standard at the time of application, you must pay a second instalment of the Visa Application Charge before the Department grants your visa. This second instalment is a significant additional cost — confirm your English level before lodging to avoid this charge. Unlike the points-tested skilled visas, the distinguished talent visa does not require a specific IELTS or PTE score.
Evidence of Your Record of Achievement
To support your distinguished talent visa application, you must provide compelling evidence of your internationally recognised record. The stronger and more comprehensive your evidence package, the better your application. Provide as many of the following as apply to your field:
- Relevant qualifications and awards — including those received from internationally recognised institutions, government bodies, professional associations, scientific, cultural or sporting bodies
- Advice or endorsement from government, professional, scientific, cultural, sporting or other relevant Australian bodies confirming your standing in your field
- A statement from your nominator that specifically supports your record of achievement and confirms your standing nationally and internationally
- If you are under 18 or over 55: evidence of exceptional benefit to the Australian community through your continued work in your field
Demonstrating Your Ability to Work Independently in Australia
You must demonstrate that you would face no difficulty obtaining employment or establishing yourself independently in Australia within your specific area of achievement. This requirement is separate from general employability — you must show a clear, credible path to working in your field in Australia specifically.
One critical rule: income from employment unrelated to your area of achievement cannot satisfy this requirement — even if it forms only part of your overall income. For example, a distinguished artist who plans to supplement income through unrelated work cannot rely on that supplementary income to satisfy this test. Your pathway to employment or self-sufficiency must sit entirely within your field of distinction.
What the Distinguished Talent Visa Lets You Do
The subclass 124 distinguished talent visa is a permanent residence visa. Once granted, you and your family can:
- Live in Australia indefinitely with no conditions or expiry
- Work in Australia in your field of distinction — and any other occupation
- Study at any Australian institution
- Enrol in Medicare — Australia’s health care scheme
- Travel to and from Australia freely for 5 years from the date of grant — after which you need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter as a permanent resident
- Sponsor eligible relatives for residency in Australia
- Apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the citizenship residency requirement
Alternative Visa Pathways
If the distinguished talent visa requirements are too high for your current profile, or if you are in Australia rather than offshore, consider these alternative pathways:
- Skilled Independent visa (189) — for skilled workers with a competitive points score
- Skilled Nominated visa (190) — for skilled workers with state or territory nomination
- Other Employer Sponsored Visa Pathways: For skilled workers who are needed by Australian employers.
Speak to a VisaAid migration consultant to identify which pathway gives your specific profile and circumstances the strongest chance of a grant.
