Correct as at 14 February 2021
Via an order of processing direction introduced by the Minister on 17 Dec 2020, the seven Target Sectors, previously announced in November, 2019, have been broadened to ten Priority Sectors. These include:
- Agri-food and Agricultural Technology (AgTech)
- Circular Economy
- Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
- DigiTech (which encompasses both Cyber Security and the previous Quantum Information and Data Science etc category)
- Education
- Energy, including Clean Energy and Renewables
- Financial Services and Financial Technology (FinTech)
- Health Industries (including Biomedical)
- Infrastructure & Tourism
- Resources and Critical Minerals
While these Priority Sectors are now reflected on the Expression of Interest web contact form, they are not yet reflected in procedural instruction but an announcement establishing these as new Sectors is expected before the end of February 2021.
A recent change to policy means that Honours and Masters students are no longer eligible to apply via the Global Talent Independent (subclass 858) visa program. Those Honours and Masters students who did not receive an invitation prior to 20 January 2021, will not be invited, even if having lodged an Expression of Interest prior to that date.
If you would like advice or assistance with your Global Talent Independent visa, please contact Visa Lawyers Australia.