Distinguished Talent visa (Subclass 124)

This Distinguished Talent visa (Subclass 124) is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field. You or your achievement must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement (and still be prominent) in a profession, a sport, the arts or academia and research. Applicant must be nominated to apply for this visa.

  • SC 124 visa: You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa, but you must be outside Australia when Immigration decide on your application.
  • SC 858 visa: If you will be inside Australia when Immigration decide on your visa application, you could apply for the Distinguished Talent visa

Eligibility:

You must

  • Be an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement (and still be prominent) in a profession, a sport, the arts or academia and research
  • Be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in relation to your area of talent
  • If you are under 18 years old or you are aged 55 years or older when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
  • At least Functional English or pay the second VAC
  • Meet the health criteria
  • Meet the character requirements

Other Eligibility:

Your achievements must be exceptional and outstanding:

  • are currently prominent in your field
  • have superior abilities to others in your field
  • are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your field is practised
  • have a record of sustained achievement that is unlikely to diminish in the future

You must participate in a field that:

  • is recognised and accepted in Australia
  • has international standing
  • You must have been prominent in this field in the past 2 years.

You must be of benefit to the Australian Community:

  • economic
  • social
  • cultural, or
  • to raise Australia’s academic, artistic or sports standing internationally
  • You must contribute to the nation as a whole.

Include family:

You can include members of the family unit with your visa application at the time of your application before application decision has been made. All family members who apply for the visa aged 18 years or older must either have functional English or should pay a Second VAC.

All family members who apply for the visa must meet the Health and Character Requirements of the Australian Government.

Note: This visa is closed to new applications. To apply for the Distinguished Talent visa see Global Talent visa (subclass 858).
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