On 8 August 2019, the Hon David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, announced the continuation of the pilot Global Talent Scheme.

Re-named the Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program, the pilot program ran for 12 months to 1 July 2019; the decision to continue followed a review.

The Minister announced that the program had received strong support from industry, and had been successful in attracting the best and the brightest to fill roles in the new economy.

This is despite only 23 businesses having signed five year agreements with the Government, and up to 30 visas having been approved during the pilot program.

In its reporting, the Australian Financial Review noted that there had been some criticism of the requirement to contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund, however the Government has confirmed that there is no intention to relax requirements.

For clients, the GTES remains another option to secure global talent, where business requirements are not adequately met under standard TSS and Employer Nomination (permanent) visa programs.

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