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Australia

Subclass 858 — Global Talent

Direct permanent residence for highly skilled professionals in target sectors. No points test. Requires a high salary or internationally recognised excellence and an Australian nominator.

PR direct

No work-visa stage; resident on grant

AUD 175k+

Indicative salary threshold (FWHIT)

~3-9 mo

Typical processing once invited

No points

Merit + nomination based, not points-test

The 10 target sectors

·Resources

·Agri-food and agritech

·Energy

·Health industries

·Defence, advanced manufacturing & space

·Circular economy

·Digitech

·Infrastructure & transport

·Financial services & fintech

·Education

Sectors are reviewed and adjusted by Home Affairs. Verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au at application time.

Eligibility

Outstanding professional achievement

Internationally recognised exceptional and outstanding talent in one of the target sectors. Evidence: senior industry roles, prominent publications, awards, patents, board positions.

Salary capacity (Fair Work High Income Threshold)

Ability to attract a salary at or above the FWHIT (currently AUD 175,000+, indexed July annually) — the strongest indicator of talent the Department uses. Contracts, recent payslips, or offer letters as evidence.

Australian nominator

An Australian permanent resident, citizen, or eligible organisation must nominate you. Nominator must have a national reputation in the same field.

English

Functional English typically required. Most SA applicants already meet this through their professional context but evidence is required.

Health and character

Standard medicals + police clearances from countries lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.

Age

No upper age limit, but applicants over 55 must demonstrate exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

The application process

Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

Free online EOI to the Global Talent Officer (GTO) team. Include CV, evidence of achievement, sector match, salary capacity. No fee at this stage.

Receive Unique Identifier (UID)

If shortlisted, you receive a UID. The UID lets you formally apply for the visa. Without one, the visa application cannot be lodged.

Find an Australian nominator

Identify a credible nominator in your sector. Nominator completes Form 1000 (Nomination for Distinguished Talent).

Lodge subclass 858 application

Submit visa application via ImmiAccount with UID, nomination form, full evidence dossier. Visa fee AUD 4,840 (single, 2026).

Decision

Most cases decided in 3-9 months. Expect requests for additional evidence partway through.

Notes for South African applicants

Salary capacity is the make-or-break. The Department has been increasingly strict about FWHIT evidence. SA salary alone often falls below FWHIT — applicants typically need a future Australian offer above threshold or recent international experience at the rate.

Sectors that work for SA applicants. Senior IT (cyber-security, ML/AI), specialist medical (cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery), academic researchers with strong publications, mining/resources executives, and fintech founders.

Nominator strategy. Without an existing AU professional network, securing a nominator is the hardest step. Conferences, LinkedIn outreach to AU sector leaders, and engaging an Australian recruitment firm with Global Talent expertise can help.

Alternative if 858 doesn't fit. Subclass 482 (employer-sponsored) → 186 PR is a more accessible path for high-skilled SA professionals without Global Talent level visibility.

Compare 858 to other AU PR options

The country comparison shows your eligibility on 189/190/491 + 858 alongside CA + NZ pathways.

General information only. For advice specific to your situation consult a MARA-registered migration agent or Australian immigration lawyer.

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