The scheme builds on the Global Talent – Employer Sponsored program (GTES) which was piloted over the last 12 months.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said Immigration Minister David Coleman’s confirmation of the scheme last night was appreciated by universities — who are key drivers of national innovation and productivity.

“Our universities recruit worldwide to add to Australia’s constellation of talent and expertise, giving us a national competitive advantage,” she said.

Minister Coleman said the Global Talent Independent program would seek out the very best people in high-growth industries and encourage them to help build those industries in Australia.

Australian recruiters will work from Berlin, Washington, Singapore, Shanghai, Santiago and Dubai. They will market the program to exceptional candidates including from top universities worldwide.

Ms Jackson said recruiting outstanding global talent would help build industries with high skill, high wage jobs for Australians.

“Australia’s universities support schemes that strengthen our nation’s knowledge economy and enable Australia’s universities to recruit from the best and brightest globally,” she said.

“Australian universities will work with Government to ensure this latest visa is consistent with efforts to support Australia’s leadership across all research fields.”

In his speech, Minister Coleman also reiterated his support for international education and its vast contribution to Australia.

“International education is extremely good for Australia… The education sector supports high skill, high wage jobs — the exact kind of jobs we want to develop,” he said.

“International education must remain a key feature of our immigration system.”

The announcement came as the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals international education exports was worth $37.7 billion to the Australian economy in 2018-19.