Global Talent Visa (Australia): What It Became, and the 858 National Innovation Visa Today

Is the Global Talent visa (Australia) still available?

No. No Global Talent application can be made after 6 December 2024, under the Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024.

Home Affairs’ old Global Talent page now redirects to “Subclass 858 National Innovation visa”↗. The archived program page, captured 3 December 2024, stopped accepting EOIs from 29 November; the 2024 Explanatory Statement confirms that former prospective applicants now need an invitation.

This page concerns Australia’s visa, not the UK visa of the same name.

The Global Talent visa began as the Distinguished Talent visa (124 and 858), which had two subclasses until November 2020; the Migration Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021 renamed the remaining 858 on 27 February 2021.

Global Talent visa vs National Innovation visa: what changed on 6 December 2024

The Explanatory Statement to the Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024↗ distinguishes unchanged assessment criteria from the new invitation requirement.

Reader warning. > Unauthorised immigration assistance can leave you without cover. Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958↗ prohibits immigration assistance by someone who is neither registered nor exempt; Australian legal practitioners acting in legal practice and certain unpaid helpers are exempt. Practising Australian lawyers are subject to professional indemnity insurance requirements, including section 211 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law↗ where it applies. An unauthorised helper does not acquire that cover through registration, so a mistake may leave you without an insurer to claim against; any actual claim depends on the policy and circumstances.

What happened to Australia's GTI program and Global Talent Officers?

Australia’s GTI program was not a visa: Home Affairs’ program records show it prioritised Distinguished Talent, then Global Talent applications from the 2019–20 program year, using unique identifiers and, from 16 December 2020, invitation codes.

Archived Home Affairs pages describe overseas Global Talent Officers finding candidates, not acting as nominators; individual support had ended by the 30 January 2023 page update, captured 11 March 2023.

Taken together, the closure and subsequent redirect indicate the program ended on 6 December 2024. Read how identifiers and codes worked in Australia's Global Talent Independent (GTI) program.

GTES: the Global Talent name Australia still uses, for 482 visas

The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program still operates, but it gives employers labour-agreement-style access to Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visas, not the 858. Home Affairs’ “Global Talent Employer Sponsored”↗ page, updated 24 September 2026, lists Established Business and Startup streams.

That page describes the Startup stream as employer-sponsored: a qualifying tech or STEM startup needs at least $50,000 from a registered fund or a grant, with up to five positions annually. Home Affairs’ “Visas for innovation” page, updated 30 September 2026, presents GTES alongside National Innovation—not as a route into 858.

Global Talent visa (Australia) applications lodged before 6 December 2024

Earlier Global Talent or Distinguished Talent applications are decided under the law in force when made, under Schedule 13 clause 14201(1) of the Migration Regulations 1994. The 2024 amendments apply only to applications made on or after 6 December 2024.

Ministerial Direction No. 120 section 4(1) sets their processing order. Home Affairs’ planning page says existing applicants are not adversely affected and are counted in Talent and Innovation; the Report on the Migration Program 2024–25 recorded 3,229 Global Talent category applications on hand at 30 June 2025.

Before the change, Home Affairs’ archived page, captured 3 December 2024, said people with unanswered EOIs could still apply directly if they met the thresholds. That option was historical, not current.

Is what you read about the Global Talent visa (Australia) still accurate?

1. You may read: “Apply directly, no invitation needed.” → As at 3 October 2026: Migration Regulations 1994 clause 858.211 requires a written Ministerial invitation; item 1113(3A) governs the application window.
2. You may read: “Get a GTI referral and unique identifier.” → As at 3 October 2026: reading those Regulations alongside archived Home Affairs guidance, an old priority identifier cannot substitute for the required invitation.
3. You may read: “Your field must be one of ten sectors.” → As at 3 October 2026: Direction 120 ranks nine sectors in two tiers but includes other applications; sector membership is not mandatory.
4. You may read: “You must earn $153,600 / $158,500 / $162,000.” → As at 3 October 2026: archived Home Affairs pages quoted those figures for 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23. The Fair Work Commission’s threshold is $190,100 from 1 July 2026; Direction 120 treats it as one indicator, not a criterion. See why there is no regulatory 858 visa income threshold.
5. You may read: “Apply offshore on subclass 124.” → As at 3 October 2026: the 2020 Measures No. 2 Explanatory Statement records its repeal on 14 November 2020.
6. You may read: “Processed under Direction 112.” → As at 3 October 2026: Direction 120 replaced it from 25 July 2026.

Global Talent visa (858) holders after the rename

Global Talent visa holders keep their permanent subclass 858 visa: this follows from the application-only transition in Schedule 13 of the Migration Regulations 1994 and the unchanged subclass number.

Home Affairs’ 858 page confirms permanent residence from grant. Clause 858.511 provides five years’ travel from grant; afterwards, Home Affairs says a Resident Return visa is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident.

Home Affairs’ citizenship residence page, updated 30 September 2026, describes an overseas-work discretion for Distinguished Talent and Global Talent holders where “the Department did not invite the person”. On the page’s wording, this does not fit invited National Innovation holders; that is a reading of the guidance, not a ruling.

Global Talent visa Australia processing times and statistics

Home Affairs’ processing-time tool publishes two series, both covering decisions to 31 August 2026:

• Legacy “Global Talent visa (subclass 858)”, stream “Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)”: 16 months for 50% and 24 months for 90%, updated 29 September 2026.
• “National Innovation visa (subclass 858)”: six months for 50% and seven months for 90%, updated 1 October 2026. However, its note says these reflect Global Talent applications lodged before 6 December 2024.

Which series describes new National Innovation applications is not settled. Neither should be presented as a reliable forecast for a new application.

The Report on the Migration Program 2024–25 records 4,000 Global Talent category places and a 98.2% grant rate, including National Innovation outcomes from 6 December 2024. Separate National Innovation grant figures are not published there.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Global Talent visa the same as the Innovation visa?
It is the same 858 subclass, renamed National Innovation by the 2024 Regulations, with unchanged assessment criteria but a required written invitation.

Is the Global Talent visa still available in Australia?
No: the 2024 Explanatory Statement confirms closure from 6 December 2024.

How long does it take to get a Global Talent visa in Australia?
The Home Affairs tool shows 16/24 months under the legacy label and 6/7 months under National Innovation, with the latter explicitly tied to pre-change applications.

Who is eligible for the Global Talent visa in Australia now?
Nobody applies under that name now; the Regulations retain the assessment criteria for National Innovation applicants who receive an invitation.

Does my old Global Talent EOI carry over?
No published Home Affairs statement says it does. Archived guidance pointed to a new EOI; the current form asks only about previous National Innovation EOIs.

Is the Global Talent Employer Sponsored program part of the 858?
No: Home Affairs’ GTES page describes access to subclass 482 visas.

Applying now: from the Global Talent visa (Australia) to the 858 EOI

1. Check the criterion. Under Migration Regulations 1994 clause 858.212(2), you need internationally recognised exceptional and outstanding achievement, continuing prominence and value to Australia’s community. These criteria carried over unchanged.
2. Submit a new EOI. Home Affairs’ online form asks only about earlier National Innovation EOIs; its submission guidance says nothing can be added afterwards. Check the National Innovation visa EOI before submitting.
3. Find a nominator while waiting. Home Affairs’ EOI guidance requires Form 1000 at this stage only for agency-nominated candidates.
4. If invited, apply within 60 days. Home Affairs says this deadline cannot be extended. The Regulations require Form 1000 with the application and evidence of the achievements named in the invitation.

For the complete pathway, read about the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) in Australia.

Ask an Australian migration lawyer to rebuild the record for the National Innovation EOI, checking current income indicators and the achievements the eventual application would need to prove.

Considering a review of your next step? The site enquiry form accepts questions addressed to Australian Migration Lawyers. A reference appears only after the email send is accepted and its status recorded.