Subclass 858 Global Talent Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 858 at a Glance
Visa type: Permanent residency (direct grant). Application cost (2025–26): $4,765 (main applicant). Processing time: As fast as 2–6 months (priority processing for strong candidates). No points test required. No employer sponsorship required. Salary threshold: Must demonstrate ability to earn at least $167,500 per year (FHSIT, indexed annually). Must be internationally recognised in one of 10 target sectors. Must be nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation prominent in your field. Age: Generally under 55, but no hard limit for exceptional candidates.
What is the Global Talent Visa?
The Subclass 858 Global Talent visa (formerly known as Distinguished Talent) is Australia's premium skilled migration pathway, designed to attract world-class talent who can contribute to Australia's economy and international competitiveness. Unlike most skilled visas, the 858 grants permanent residency directly — there is no provisional period or regional obligation. The visa was supercharged in 2019 when the Government launched the Global Talent Visa Program (GTVP), creating a dedicated taskforce and priority processing for applicants in key sectors. The program aims to attract 5,000 exceptional individuals per year across 10 target sectors. Processing is fast — strong applicants can receive their visa in as little as 2–6 months, making it one of the fastest PR pathways in Australia.
The 10 Target Sectors
The Global Talent program focuses on 10 target sectors where Australia wants to build world-leading capability: 1) Resources and Mining Technology, 2) Agri-food and AgTech, 3) Energy, 4) Health Industries, 5) Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, and Space, 6) Circular Economy (waste, recycling, sustainability), 7) DigiTech (software, AI, cybersecurity, data science, quantum computing), 8) Infrastructure and Tourism, 9) Financial Services and FinTech, 10) Education. DigiTech and Health Industries have historically received the most grants. Your achievements must align with one of these sectors — the Department will assess whether your profile fits. If your expertise spans multiple sectors, choose the one where your achievements are strongest.
Eligibility: What Makes You 'Globally Talented'?
The Department assesses whether you are internationally recognised with evidence of outstanding achievement. This is subjective but generally requires a combination of: a salary or earning capacity at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold ($167,500 in 2025–26 — this is indexed annually), evidence of international recognition in your field (awards, patents, published research, media coverage, keynote speaking invitations, senior leadership roles), a record of outstanding achievement (PhD from a top university, significant publications, successful startups, major project leadership), and evidence that your skills will benefit Australia. For recent PhD graduates or early-career researchers, the salary threshold may be waived if you can demonstrate exceptional promise and a clear trajectory toward high earnings. The Department looks at the totality of your profile — there is no strict checklist.
The Nominator Requirement
Every 858 applicant needs a nominator — an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation who is prominent in your field. The nominator must have a national reputation in your target sector and be willing to attest that you are internationally recognised for your achievements. Finding a suitable nominator is often the most challenging part of the process. Good nominator options include: a professor at an Australian university in your field, a CEO or senior executive of an Australian company in your sector, an Australian industry body or professional association, or a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science or equivalent body. The nominator does not need to offer you a job — they simply need to vouch for your standing. However, having a job offer or business connections in Australia significantly strengthens your application.
The EOI and Global Talent Contact Process
The application process begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted through the Global Talent Contact form on the Department's website. This is not the same as a SkillSelect EOI. You provide your details, CV, and a summary of your achievements. A Global Talent officer will review your EOI and, if your profile looks promising, issue a unique identifier and invite you to lodge a visa application. If your EOI is not progressed, you will receive a letter explaining why. You can resubmit with additional evidence. The EOI stage typically takes 1–3 months for a response. Strong candidates in high-priority sectors may hear back within weeks. If invited, you then have a set timeframe to lodge your formal visa application through ImmiAccount.
Supporting Evidence That Wins
Strong 858 applications typically include: a comprehensive CV showing career trajectory, letters of reference from internationally recognised experts in your field (not just your nominator), evidence of salary or contract offers at or above the threshold, patent registrations, published research (especially in high-impact journals with strong citation counts), media coverage of your work, records of keynote speaking invitations at international conferences, evidence of awards, fellowships, or prizes, leadership roles in significant projects or organisations, evidence of commercialisation (startup funding raised, products launched, revenue generated), and a compelling statement explaining how your skills will benefit Australia. Quality matters more than quantity. Five strong pieces of evidence are better than twenty mediocre ones. Frame everything in terms of international standing and Australian benefit.
Processing Time and Priority
The 858 receives priority processing within the Department. Strong, well-documented applications in high-priority sectors can be decided in 2–4 months from lodgement. More complex cases or those requiring additional information may take 6–12 months. The Global Talent taskforce processes these applications separately from the general skilled migration queue, which is why processing is faster. Once granted, you receive permanent residency immediately. You can live and work anywhere in Australia with no conditions on your employer or location. You also receive a 5-year travel facility. Family members (partner and dependent children) included in your application also receive permanent residency.
Costs and Financial Considerations
The visa application fee is $4,765 for the main applicant. Additional applicants aged 18+ cost $2,385 each, and children under 18 cost $1,195 each. There is no separate nomination fee. Budget for additional costs: skills assessment is not required, but you may need document translations ($100–$500), medical examinations ($300–$700 per person), police clearances ($50–$200 per country), and certified copies of documents. Migration agent fees for the 858 typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 due to the complexity of building a compelling global talent case. Some agents work on a tiered basis, charging more for the EOI preparation and less for the visa lodgement. The investment is significant but the payoff — direct permanent residency with priority processing — is substantial.
When to Use a Migration Agent
The 858 visa is different from most Australian visas in that the assessment is highly subjective. A migration agent experienced in Global Talent applications can help you identify your strongest target sector, frame your achievements for maximum impact, find a suitable nominator, prepare the EOI and formal application, and set realistic expectations. This is one visa where expert help can make a significant difference to the outcome. Look for agents who have a track record with 858 applications specifically — not all migration agents are experienced with this visa. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents specialising in Global Talent visas. Verify any agent's MARA registration at /tools/mara-check.
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