Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES)
The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program is part of Australia's initiative to attract highly skilled professionals who can contribute to business growth, innovation, and economic development. It allows approved Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly specialised positions that cannot be filled by the local workforce or through existing skilled migration pathways, including the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa streams.
Employers must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by an Australian worker or through any other available visa program. The GTES program focuses on recruiting highly skilled professionals who can create employment opportunities for Australians, transfer valuable knowledge and expertise, and strengthen Australian industries.
Key Features of GTES
Access to highly specialised occupations beyond standard TSS lists
Two available streams — Established Business and Start-Up
Flexibility in certain standard TSS visa requirements
Visa validity of up to four years
A pathway to permanent residency
Flexibility regarding age requirements in eligible cases
Priority processing for approved GTES agreements
Tailored labour agreements to suit business needs
GTES Streams
Australia's "Visas for Innovation" initiative offers two flexible GTES streams depending on your business type.
Established Business Stream
Well-established Australian businesses needing highly skilled overseas professionals
Annual turnover exceeding AUD 4 million for each of the previous two financial years
Benefits
- Greater flexibility with selected TSS visa requirements
- Access to four-year TSS visas
- Permanent residency pathway after three years, including possible age concessions
- Simplified labour agreement process
- Faster application processing
Start-Up Stream
Australian STEM start-ups requiring highly skilled overseas professionals
Endorsement by the independent GTES Start-Up Advisory Panel required before sponsoring
Benefits
- Flexibility with selected TSS visa requirements
- Four-year TSS visas
- Permanent residency pathway after three years, including possible age concessions
- Simplified labour agreement process
- Faster processing times
Applicant Eligibility
- At least three years of relevant work experience
- No family relationship with the company's directors or shareholders
- Meets Australia's health, character, and security requirements
- Holds qualifications appropriate for the nominated highly skilled position
- Can demonstrate the ability to transfer skills and knowledge to Australian workers
- Receives annual earnings that meet or exceed the Fair Work High Income Threshold
Processing Time
| Stream | Nomination Applications | Visa Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Established Business Stream | ~5 business days | ~5 business days |
| Start-Up Stream | ~5 business days | ~5 business days |
Initial GTES Labour Agreement responses are generally received within 6 to 11 business days for both streams.
Application Process
Submit Labour Agreement Request
The employer submits a GTES Labour Agreement request through their ImmiAccount (or, for Start-Up, via email with business and funding evidence).
Initial Response
A response is generally received within 6 to 11 business days.
Agreement Approved
If approved, the Department provides the employer with a GTES Labour Agreement.
Permission Request ID Issued
Once the agreement is finalised, the employer receives a unique Permission Request ID.
TSS Visa Application
The nominated employee submits an online TSS visa application using the Permission Request ID and is assessed under the approved GTES agreement.
Talk to Our Registered Migration Agent
At E2VS, we provide professional guidance for businesses and skilled professionals applying under the Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program — from eligibility assessments and labour agreement preparation to document review, employer sponsorship requirements, and the complete visa application process.