Commonwealth of Australia · work unsponsored · Leads to settlement

National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)

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Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyPermanent residence.In flux
Processing time
Variable.
Government fees
Variable; verify Home Affairs.
Typical duration
Permanent residence.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Department of Home Affairs ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) for Commonwealth of Australia is an unsponsored Australia immigration route. Sources: official Commonwealth of Australia government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/australia/global-talent-au#answer

What is the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) in Commonwealth of Australia?

National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) is an unsponsored Australia route. Indicative government fees are Variable; verify Home Affairs; indicative processing time is Variable; typical duration is Permanent residence. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Department of Home Affairs on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The former Global Talent visa was replaced by the National Innovation visa as announced in the 2024–25 Migration Strategy. It targets candidates of exceptional, internationally recognised talent. Specific scheme parameters continued to be refined into 2025–26 — verify current Home Affairs guidance.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓Exceptional, internationally recognised talent record in a target sector.
  • ✓Nominator meeting the scheme's requirements.

Common blockers

  • !Evidence not demonstrating international recognition.

Typical evidence

  • ·Awards, publications, patents, peer recognition.
  • ·Nomination letter.

Application pathway

  1. EOI to Global Talent Officer

    Submit expression of interest.

  2. Receive invitation

    Invited applicants lodge visa.

  3. Grant as permanent resident

    Upon approval.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Australia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Check National Innovation process ↗

    High-achieving applicants use this page to confirm the invitation and application process for subclass 858.

    Department of Home Affairs · verified

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Variable; verify Home Affairs.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Was the Australian Global Talent visa cancelled?+

It was replaced by the National Innovation visa under the 2024–25 Migration Strategy. Scheme parameters evolved through 2025. Verify the current status on Home Affairs before relying on older guidance.

What is the National Innovation visa?+

It is a permanent-residence route for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in priority sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. It replaced the Global Talent (subclass 858) program under the 2024–25 Migration Strategy and is invitation-based rather than points-tested. Confirm the current criteria on Home Affairs.

Do you need an employer sponsor for the National Innovation visa?+

No. Like the former Global Talent route, it is not employer-sponsored, though applicants usually need a nominator with a national reputation in the same field, or an eligible organisation. Home Affairs sets the exact nomination rules.

Does the National Innovation visa lead to permanent residence?+

Yes — it grants permanent residence on approval, which is its main draw over temporary skilled routes. Because the scheme is still bedding in, verify the current process and any annual caps on Home Affairs.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Australia

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Department of Home Affairs

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology