News Flash

Pilot Global Talent Scheme to attract workers with specialised skills

03-Jul-2018

From 1 July 2018, the Australian Government will begin implementing a new Global Talent Scheme (GTS) pilot program aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to help support talent and innovation in Australia. Workers not already covered by the standard Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) program[FS1]  will have a new visa pathway into Australia under the GTS.

What is the Global Talent Scheme (GTS)?

The GTS is a niche pilot scheme under the TSS visa program. Developed in consultation with industry, startup and tertiary institution leaders, the 12-month pilot will give businesses, including Australian startups, a way to sponsor workers with highly specialised skills not covered by the TSS visa program.

Businesses wanting to access the scheme will need to show they have skilled positions that cannot be filled by Australia workers, or through other existing visa programs. Those that are successful will be invited to enter into an agreement with the Government under the agreement stream of the TSS visa.

The GTS will consist of two streams:

  • Established Business stream: Allows employers who are accredited sponsors to employ highly-skilled individuals to contribute to innovation in an established business, and help make Australian businesses and their Australian employees the best at what they do.

  • Startup stream: Allows employers to sponsor highly skilled individuals with cutting-edge skills to contribute to Australia's developing startup ecosystem and bring new ideas, new jobs, new skills and new technology for Australia. This stream is for startups operating in a technology based or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) related field. Startups must be endorsed by the independent GTS startup advisory panel.

Why is it being introduced?

The GTS aims to make it easier for businesses to attract experienced workers to Australia who can act as 'job multipliers' in Australian businesses, helping them to hire more local staff and fill critical areas of need. Importantly, any position filled through a GTS agreement must provide new job opportunities for Australians, or transfer skills and knowledge to Australian workers.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Michaelia Cash, said the scheme answers the call from business to deliver more flexible visa arrangements that help attract global talent to Australia. Similarly, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, said it "complements existing Temporary Skill Shortage visa arrangements by providing the flexibility to handle high value, niche skills that can't be obtained under the standard visa program.”

Unlike other existing programs, the GTS will not be subject to occupations being available on the Lists of eligible skilled occupations. Workers sponsored under the scheme will have access to a TSS visa and permanent residence after three years.

Which businesses are eligible?

Details on the eligibility criteria for employers can be found on the GTS Factsheet.

For startups, in order to seek endorsement, your startup will need to meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • the startup has received an investment of at least AUD50,000 from an investment fund registered as an Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership
  • the startup has received an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant at any time.

The criteria will be reviewed as the pilot progresses.

How will this scheme be implemented?

The Australian federal government will work with the South Australian state government to develop the pilot scheme throughout 2018. If successful, the scheme will roll out nationally in 2019.

Where can I find out more?

You can find more information on the DHA’s website and in Hon Alan Tudge MP’s media release.

 

Source: DHA