Global Talent Visa Australia (Subclass 858) — Now the National Innovation Visa
Important:
The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) is closed to new applications. The former Global Talent pathway is no longer available for new applicants following the introduction of the National Innovation Visa.
If you are looking to migrate to Australia based on exceptional talent and internationally recognised achievements, the current pathway is the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858). It is a permanent visa designed for exceptionally talented individuals who can contribute to Australia’s future prosperity.
The information below provides context about the former GTI program and how the transition to the National Innovation Visa occurred.
The National Innovation Visa — Now Live from December 2024
The Department of Home Affairs introduced the National Innovation visa (NIV) to replace the former Global Talent visa (subclass 858) from 1 December 2024. The NIV targets exceptionally talented migrants who drive growth in sectors of national importance. The subclass number (858) carries over — applicants now apply under the NIV framework rather than the former GTI program. Visit our National Innovation visa page for full current requirements.
What Was the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Program?
The former Global Talent Independent (GTI) program operated under the subclass 858 visa and provided a streamlined permanent residence pathway for highly skilled individuals at the top of their field in one of ten priority target sectors. The Department worked with Global Talent Officers stationed in major cities globally — including London, Shanghai, Singapore, Berlin and Washington DC — to identify and invite eligible candidates.
From 1 December 2024, the GTI program transitioned to the National Innovation visa framework. Applicants who received a Global Talent unique identifier before the transition date should contact the Department of Home Affairs or a VisaAid migration consultant to confirm how their existing EOI is treated under the new NIV framework.
Under the National Innovation visa, the Department targets individuals who are exceptional in one of the priority sectors and can demonstrate an ability to earn at or above the Fair Work high-income threshold — or who are high-performing recent PhD, Masters or Honours graduates in a priority sector. Visit our National Innovation visa page for the current sector list.
Access to the 858 visa program is via referral from a Global Talent Officer or through a nominator with a national reputation in the same field as the applicant.
Former GTI Target Sectors (Historical Reference)
The GTI program targeted ten priority sectors. The National Innovation visa has updated and refined these sector definitions. The former GTI sectors were: Resources, Agri-food and AgTech, Energy, Health Industries, Defence/Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Circular Economy, DigiTech, Infrastructure and Tourism, Financial Services and FinTech, and Education.
For the current NIV target sectors and specialisations, visit our National Innovation visa page — sector definitions and priority specialisations have changed under the new framework.
Salary Threshold for the 858 Visa
The subclass 858 visa requires applicants to demonstrate an ability to earn at or above the Fair Work high-income threshold, which the Department adjusts each financial year. The current threshold is $175,000 — verify the current figure on the Fair Work Australia website before applying, as this updates annually on 1 July.
The Department assesses your ability to meet the threshold through:
- Your current salary (evidenced by payslips or a contract)
- A job offer outlining your remuneration in Australia
- For recent PhD or Masters graduates in a priority sector — your academic achievements and career trajectory
Benefits of the 858 Visa (National Innovation visa):
- Priority processing — faster than points-tested skilled visa pathways
- No age limit — applicants of any age may apply (additional criteria apply for those under 18 or over 55)
- No skills assessment required
- No points test
- No employer sponsorship required
How to Apply for the Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
The 858 visa application follows three steps:
Step 1 — Obtain a unique identifier
Submit an Expression of Interest on the Global Talent Contact form. The Department reviews your EOI and, if your profile meets the program requirements, issues you a global talent unique identifier. There is no standard processing time for the EOI assessment.
Step 2 — Secure a nominator
Identify and secure a nominator with a national reputation in the same field as you. Your nominator must be an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation. Depending on your industry, your nominator could be your university, employer, industry body or industry peers.
Step 3 — Lodge your visa application
Once you hold a unique identifier and a confirmed nominator, lodge your subclass 858 visa application. If you are in or out of Australia, it will be processed as an 858 Distinguished Talent visa — the subclass 124 (offshore) and 858 (onshore/offshore) distinction now sits under the NIV framework.
Highly skilled professionals referred by the Department may receive an invitation to apply for the distinguished talent visa (subclass 124) if offshore, or the subclass 858 if in or out of Australia — visit our Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124) page for the offshore visa requirements.
Start your free 858 visa assessment — VisaAid’s consultants assess your profile against the current NIV requirements and identify the fastest pathway to your unique identifier and nomination.
858 Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the subclass 858 visa (National Innovation visa), you must demonstrate all of the following 858 visa requirements:
- You are internationally recognised with evidence of outstanding and exceptional achievements in a priority sector
- You remain prominent in your field of expertise at the time of application
- You would be an asset to Australia in your field of expertise
- You would face no difficulty obtaining employment or establishing yourself independently in your field in Australia
- A recognised Australian organisation or individual endorses you as global talent in the same field
Candidates must demonstrate an exceptional track record of professional achievement — evidence may include: senior roles held, patents, professional awards, international publications and memberships of leading professional bodies.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to earn at or above the Fair Work high-income threshold — currently $175,000 (verify annually).
The Department assesses salary capacity through your current payslips or contract, a future job offer outlining remuneration, or — for recent PhD graduates and PhD students — your qualifications and career trajectory in a priority sector.
Special Applicant Categories for the 858 Visa
Education sector
Some candidates for the GTVP have sought to demonstrate achievements in the Education sector by their academic appointments.
A senior academic and researcher appointment at Australian Academic Level D or E, or their international equivalents in fields other than Education, may be considered an indicator of internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in the Education sector. Candidates should provide evidence of publications, citations, patents, awards and/or other accolades.
Academics and researchers in fields other than Education below Australian Academic Level D, or its international equivalent, are only considered favourably if they have other exceptional and outstanding achievements in the field of Education.
PhD graduates
Candidates can continue to provide evidence of completing the academic requirements (prior to conferral) for a relevant PhD to demonstrate that they have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.
PhD graduates may be considered prominent in their area of academia and research for 3 years from the conferral date of the qualification. Decision makers also consider whether applicants have remained engaged in their field if they graduated more than 12 months prior to application.
PhD students
Relevant PhD studies, irrespective of graduation date, are now considered for the assessment of prominence in the area. PhD students must demonstrate that they have a prior internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a priority sector.
Exceptional benefit for applicants under 18 or at least 55 years old
Applicants who are under 18 or at least 55 years old need to demonstrate that they would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
Athletes and artists under the Distinguished Talent pathway
Guidance has been clarified in relation to assessing international recognition for athletes and artists applying for the Distinguished Talent (DT) pathway.
Eligible NZ citizen nominators must be onshore at the time of visa application
An Eligible New Zealand citizen is a New Zealand citizen who is a protected Special Category visa holder within the meaning of Section 7 of the Social Security Act 1991.
Special Category visas only remain valid while the holder is in Australia. New Zealand citizens outside of Australia are not holders of a Special Category visa and are not eligible to complete a Form 1000.
