Mining and energy employers can benefit from a new program for highly skilled migrants to receive a fast-tracked process to permanent residency in Australia.

The Global Talent – Independent Program is a major new initiative in Australia’s immigration strategy focussing on seven key sectors.

The program was launched by Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman yesterday as part of the Federal Government’s Global Talent Scheme.

Applicants will have a dedicated Home Affairs contact to guide them through the process, and applications will receive the highest priority processing.

Applicants will be eligible for permanent residency if they are likely to earn more than $149,000 per year in Australia, and they are highly skilled in one of seven key industry sectors. The usual character, security and integrity checks will apply to all applicants.

The seven industry sectors are AgTech, FinTech, MedTech, Cyber Security, Energy and Mining, Space and Advanced Manufacturing, and Quantum Information/Advanced Digital/ Data Science and ICT.

Global Talent Officers from the Department of Home Affairs have already been deployed in Berlin, Washington DC, Singapore, Shanghai, Santiago, and Dubai, and will have regional coverage. An officer has also started in New Delhi today, to further the reach of the program.

Mr Coleman said the program targets the world’s most highly skilled migrants, helping to position Australia at the forefront of major growth trends in the world economy.

“Over time, the Global Talent program has the potential to have a transformative impact on the Australian economy,” he said.

Up to 5,000 places will be offered in the Global Talent – Independent program in 2019/20.

For more information about the program visit the Department of Home Affairs website.