Distinguished Talent visa for Australian migration for sportsmen and women, artists, academics

Australian Visa Subclass 124 and 858

For people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.

allows an individual to live permanently in Australia if they have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in:

• Academia and research.
• Profession
• Sport
• The arts

International achievement

If you can demonstrate extraordinary and remarkable abilities, be superior to others in your field you may be eligible. You must also have a record of sustained achievement that is unlikely to diminish in the future.

Your achievements need to be acclaimed as exceptional in any country where the relevant field is practised. The field would also need to have recognition and acceptance in Australia as well as international standing.

You must demonstrate current prominence in your field.

Nomination

You must be nominated by an eligible person or organisation with a national reputation in your field. They must also be highly regarded throughout Australia. A reputation confined to one state or region would not be considered national.

• An eligible person or organisation can include:an Australian peak body or organisation,
• an Australian citizen,an Australian permanent resident, or
• an eligible New Zealand citizen.

English language ability

You should have at least functional English. Applicants and dependants (18 years and older) who cannot provide evidence of having at least functional English must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge.

You must also meet the health and Character requirements.

Applicant’s record of achievement.

Case officers may take into account information indicated in the following example:

• Information provided by the nominator, who should provide a full account of why they believe the applicant has an exceptional and outstanding record of achievement
• Supporting statement and material provided by the applicant detailing relevant aspects of their background including their qualifications, achievements and positions held. This should include information relating to any achievements in Australia
• Supporting statements from internationally recognised individuals or organisations in the field who can pass comment on the applicant’s achievements and the applicant’s reputation within the field.
• Awards or higher qualifications received from internationally recognised institutions or organisations

Academia and research

If the applicant’s area of achievement is in the area of academia and research, evidence of exceptional and outstanding achievements including:

• reports commissioned;
• books published;
• articles published in professional journals, magazines and newspapers;
• awards received;
• recognition by peers (including citation in journals);
• statements of achievement from government, professional, scientific or other relevant bodies;
• honours and accolades (for example, a Nobel Prize in Medicine);
• professional designation such as Professor, PhD, or M.D, whether this be purely honorary or symbolic, or associated with credentials attesting to specific competence, learning or skills;
• membership of international groups and organisations associated with the area of learning;
• evidence of government/private grants associated with the applicant’s research;
• evidence of receiving a fellowship or an honorary appointment such as Professor or Associate Professor in one or more highly regarded educational institutions that specialises in the same field;
• academic qualifications associated with the applicant’s area of expertise;
• scale and audience of research undertaken or completed;
• statements from the applicant’s research supervisor (or professor) that the student’s thesis/ research has strong prospects of being published;
• academic statement of results (demonstrating high academic achievement) from an internationally recognised university;
• one or more peer reviewed publications in the applicant’s area of study/research;
• links to any reputable websites which refer to the applicant and what they have done/achieved.

A profession

If the applicant’s area of achievement is in the area of a profession, evidence of exceptional and outstanding professional achievements including:

• national and international industry awards and accolades;
• references from current and past employers;
• statements from prominent business and industry peers;
• academic degrees or professional designations associated with the applicant’s profession;
• personal/professional titles (such as CEO, Director, Department Head and Professor) indicating an earned rank or position within the formal structure of an organisation;
• newspaper and magazine articles attesting to achievements and/or awards; and
• links to any reputable websites which refer to the applicant and what they have achieved.

A sport

If the applicant’s area of achievement is in the area of a sport, evidence of exceptional and outstanding sporting achievements; including:

• national and international rankings;
• membership of national sporting teams;
• results in international competitions or tournaments;
• statements from international sporting bodies;
• sporting scholarships received;
• newspaper and magazine articles attesting to achievements; and
• links to any reputable websites which refer to the applicant’s sporting achievements.

The arts

If the applicant’s area of achievement is in the arts, evidence of exceptional and outstanding achievements in the arts including:

• books published;
• national and internationals sales achieved;
• awards and commissions received;
• galleries in which works are displayed;
• scale and audience of displays held;
• recognition by peers;
• honours and accolades (for example, an Academy Award, or a Nobel Prize in Literature);
• academic qualifications associated with the applicant’s area of the arts;
• statements from national and international artistic bodies;
• newspaper and magazine articles attesting to achievements;
• links to any reputable websites which refer to the applicant’s artistic achievements.

Any adverse or conflicting information will be put to the applicant for comment and the visa may be refused.