Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: What this Distinguished Talent visa lets you do

This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this Distinguished Talent visa:

• stay in Australia indefinitely
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
• apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
• sponsor  eligible relatives for permanent residence
• travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return  visa or another visa to return to Australia).

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Before you apply

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Your passport

You need a valid passport or other travel document for this Distinguished Talent visa. If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa. If you get a new passport after you have lodged your application, give the details of your new passport to one of the department of immigration and border protection.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Cost

The visa application charges are listed in Fees and charges.

Second  instalment of the visa application charge

You must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge for each  applicant who:

• is aged 18 years or older at the time of application
• does not have  functional English.

The department of immigration and border protection will tell you when to pay the second instalment. You must pay it for the department of immigration and border protection to grant this Distinguished Talent visa.

How can I prove I have functional English explains how you can demonstrate your language ability

Other costs

You might have to pay other costs, such as the costs of health assessments, police certificates, or any other certificates or tests. You are responsible for making the necessary arrangements.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Who could get this Distinguished Talent visa

You could get this Distinguished Talent visa if you:

• have an  internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research
• are still prominent in the area
• would be an asset to the Australian community
• have no difficulty getting  employment, or in becoming established independently  in your field in Australia
• are nominated by an eligible person or organisation
• meet health and character requirements.

If you are younger than 18 or at least 55 years of age when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: International achievement

You need to demonstrate extraordinary and remarkable abilities, be superior to others in your field and 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.

Asset to the Australian community

You need to show that you would be of benefit to the Australian community, economically, socially or culturally, or by raising Australia’s sporting, artistic or academic standing internationally. This means your settlement would contribute to the nation as a whole – not just a local community.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: 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.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: 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.

How can I prove I have functional English?  explains how you can demonstrate your language ability.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Health requirements

You must meet certain  health requirements. The results of your health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.

This applies to all members of your family unit included in your application, whether they are migrating or not.

You are able to  organise your health examinations upfront  before lodging a visa application.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Character requirements

You must meet certain  character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.

This also applies to all members of the family unit included your application who are 16 years of age or older, whether they are migrating or not.

Debts to the Australian Government

You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this Distinguished Talent visa can be granted.

This also applies to all members of the family unit  listed in your application whether they are migrating or not.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Provide biometrics

You might be asked to provide  biometrics  (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application.  Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program  has more information.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Including family in your application

You can include the following people in your visa application at the time of lodgement:

• your partner
• your child/step-child or your partner’s child/step-child.

If you are under 18 years old, you can also include:

• a parent and
• a member of the family unit of that parent.

After you have applied for this Distinguished Talent visa but before a decision is made, members of the family unit can be added to your application.

For detailed information regarding who you can include in your application see  including family members in your application.

The application must include documentary evidence of their relationship to you.

Members of your family unit must be able to show that they meet  health  and  character  requirements.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: How to apply

This information explains what you need to do to apply for a Distinguished Talent (subclass 124) visa.

You and anyone included in your application must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Prepare your documents

You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are listed in the Document checklist.

Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the application to reduce any delays in processing.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Lodge your application by post or courier

You must complete:

• Form 47SV – Application for special migration to Australia (863 KB PDF)

Your nominator must complete:

• Form 1000 – Nomination for Distinguished Talent (175 KB PDF)

For each of your dependent relatives, whether they are migrating or not, you must complete:

• Form 47A – Details of Child or Other Dependent Family Member Aged 18 Years or Over (248 KB PDF)

You need to provide all relevant documents and pay the visa application charge when you apply.

Lodge your application at the department of immigration and border protection Adelaide office  in South Australia.

More information

Please refer to  preparing your application, for information on:

• certifying and translating documents into English
• communicating with the department of immigration and border protection
• using a migration agent
• authorising another person to receive information from the department of immigration and border protection
• receiving assistance with your application.​​

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: After you have applied

After you have lodged your application and documents, the department of immigration and border protection will acknowledge  that they have received your information.

Wait for a decision

Your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete.

If you apply for this Distinguished Talent visa from outside Australia, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. Wait for a decision from the department of immigration and border protection before you leave your job, sell your home or book your travel.

Provide more information

You can provide more information to the department of immigration and border protection, at any time until a decision is made on the application.  If you want to correct information you provided, use:

• Form 1023 –  Notification of incorrect answer(s) (99KB PDF)

The department of immigration and border protection could also ask you for more information. You will have to respond by a set date. After that date, they can make a decision about your application using the information that they have.

If another person gives the department of immigration and border protection information that could result in you being refused a visa, the department of immigration and border protection will  usually give you the opportunity to comment on the information.

You might also be interviewed. If you are asked to attend an interview in person, bring your passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Report changes in circumstances

You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.

Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount. If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:

• Form 929 – Change of address and/or passport details (86KB PDF)– if you move to a new address or change your passport
• Form 1022 – Notification of changes in circumstances (77KB PDF)– if there are other changes in your circumstances.

If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Withdrawing your application

​You can withdraw the application at any time before the department of immigration and border protection make a decision about it. To do this, send the department of immigration and border protection a letter or email to ask for the withdrawal. Your request must include your full name and date of birth. You should also include your file reference number, client ID, or a Transaction Reference Number.

​​​All applicants 18 years of age or older, wishing to withdraw, must sign the request for withdrawal. ​​​​​​

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Visa decision

If the visa is granted, the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:

• when you can use the visa
• the visa grant number
• any conditions attached to the visa. ​

If the visa is refused, the department of immigration and border protection will send you a letter or email stating why it was refused.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Document checklist for visa applicants

You need to provide documents to support your application for this Distinguished Talent visa. The department of immigration and border protection can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless the department of immigration and border protection specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Forms

• Form 47SV – Application for special migration to Australia (766KB PDF)
• For any member of your family unit included in the application who is 18 years of age or older and is not your partner:
  • Form 47aDetails of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over  (238  kB PDF).

• A completed form from your nominator to you to lodge with your application:
  • Form 1000 – Nomination for Distinguished Talent (288KB PDF)

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Charges

• Pay the visa application charge.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Your identity

• Certified copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents of all people included in the application (these are the pages with the holder’s photo and personal details and the issue/expiry dates).
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) of each person included in the application.
  • These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
  • Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.
• If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed: a certified copy of evidence of the name change.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Your relationships

• Certified copies of marriage certificates or relationship registrations for you and anyone else included in your application, even if they are not joining you in Australia.
• If you are living in a de facto relationship: independent evidence  that your relationship is genuine and continuing (for example, joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names or joint ownership of major assets).
• If you or anyone included in the application has been widowed, divorced or permanently separated: a certified copy of the death certificate, divorce documents, or statutory declaration  separation documents.
• Evidence of financial dependency for all your members of the family unit aged 18 or older:
  • a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you
  • proof that they live in your household
  • proof that they have been financially dependent on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your application.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Your children

• Certified copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents  of all your dependent children.
• If any dependent child included in the application is adopted: certified copies of the adoption papers.
• If you want to bring a child younger than 18 years of age with you to Australia, and that child’s other parent is not included in the application: documentary evidence that you have the legal right to bring that child to Australia, such as:
  • certified copies of official legal documents, such as a court-issued parental responsibility (custody), access or guardianship order
  • statutory declaration (80 kB pdf)giving their permission
  • Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (125 kB pdf). If you use Form 1229 or a statutory declaration, you will have to attach a certified copy of the other parent’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or driver’s licence) with their photograph and signature.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: The character requirements

• Police checks for everyone included in the visa application who is 16 years of age or older:
  • an Australian National Police Check for anyone who has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in Australia since turning 16 years of age
  • police certificates from each country in which anyone in your application has spent a cumulative total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16 years of age.

Provide the original certificates and keep a copy for yourself.

• If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: 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. If they have less than functional English, provide a statement indicating your intention to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge.

To prove you have functional English you must provide evidence of one of the following:

• You are the holder of a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland and you are a citizen of that country.
• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test result of an average band score of at least 4.5 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.
• A Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) test result of a total band score of at least 32 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.
• A Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test result of an overall band score of at least 30 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.
• A Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test result of an overall band score of at least 147 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening and the test must have been taken on or after 1  January  2015.  Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.
• A positive assessment by an Adult Migrant English Program service provider in Australia that you have functional English.
• Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
• Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
• Successfully completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in an institution in Australia and all instructions were in English.
• Completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate that required at least two years of full-time study or training in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
• The functional level of the Australian Assessment of Communicative English Skills (ACCESS) test certified by the relevant testing body. Your test must have been completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement or can be completed during visa application processing.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Your record of achievement

• Relevant qualifications and awards, including those received from internationally recognised institutions.
• Advice from government, professional, scientific, cultural, sporting or other relevant bodies in Australia.
• A statement by the nominator supporting your record of achievement.
• If you are younger than 18 or older than 55 years of age: evidence that you would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

Evidence that you are still prominent in a profession, the arts, a sport or research and academia

If you are claiming a distinguished talent in a particular area, but have not been active in that area for more than two years, you would not be regarded as retaining prominence in that area.

Evidence includes:

• A reference from  a person or organisation  qualified to assess your claims to  distinguished talent.
• Items about yourself from the information media (newspaper or magazine articles or TV programs).

Your ability to find employment or become established independently  in your field in Australia

You must demonstrate why you would have no difficulty in obtaining employment, or how you expect to support yourself, in Australia within your area of achievement. Income from employment which is not related to the area of achievement cannot satisfy the requirements of the visa, even if this only comprises part of your overall income.

Evidence includes:

• Information provided by your nominator.
• Your employment/business background.
• Your knowledge of employment/business opportunities in Australia in your field.
• Letters from organisations in Australia as evidence of future employment in Australia.
• Correspondence with relevant bodies in Australia as evidence of a possibility of establishing a business in Australia.
• Qualifications or experience acquired during previous residence in Australia.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: What this Distinguished Talent visa lets you do

This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any member of your family unit who has  also been granted this Distinguished Talent visa:

• stay in Australia indefinitely
• work and study in Australia
• enrol inMedicare,  Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
• apply for Australian citizenship(if you are eligible)
• sponsor  eligible relatives for permanent residence
• travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return  visa or another visa to return to Australia).

There could be other qualifying criteria if you want to represent Australia in an international event.

Your obligations

You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

It is also expected that you will contribute to Australia in your field of expertise.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Report changes in circumstances

You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change.  This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.

Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount.  If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:

• Form 929 Change of address and/or passport details (86KB PDF)– if you move to a new address or change your passport
• Form 1022 Notification of changes in circumstances (77KB PDF)– if there are other changes in your circumstances.

If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Who can nominate

To nominate someone for this Distinguished Talent visa you must:

• have a national reputation in Australia in the same field as the person applying for this Distinguished Talent visa
• be one of the following:
  • an Australian citizen
  • an Australian permanent resident
  • aneligible New Zealand citizen
  • an Australian organisation.

If you are an eligible New Zealand citizen, you must have met health and character checks at the time of your last entry to Australia.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: What forms do you need?

To nominate someone you must complete:

• Form 1000 – Nomination for Distinguished Talent (175 KB PDF)

The visa applicant must include this form, along with your supporting documents, when they lodge their application.

Document checklist for nominators

You need to provide documents to support your application to nominate someone for this Distinguished Talent visa. The department of immigration and border protection could ask you for more information, but they can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge the application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

You must provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless the department of immigration and border protection specifically ask for them. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your nomination is complete.

Distinguished Talent Visa Subclass 124: Forms

• Form 1000 – Nomination for Distinguished Talent (175KB PDF)

Documents you need to attach to Form 1000

• A personal, comprehensive statement of the visa applicant’s achievements in their field of expertise.
• Details of both your and the visa applicant’s achievements in your common field of expertise.
• Relevant supporting document about the visa applicant, such as newspaper or magazine articles, supporting comments from qualified people
• Details of employment arrangements or other assistance used to help establish the visa applicant.  

Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au). Please visit www.border.gov.au to get updated information.

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