Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

Religious Work stream

This visa lets you do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia. You and your family who apply for the visa with you can stay here for up to 2 years.

Personalise this page...

For Applicants

For Sponsors

Overview

Stay

Up to 2 years

Cost

From AUD430.00

Processing times

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

With this visa, you can

do full-time religious work to serve a religious institution in Australia
stay in Australia for up to 2 years with members of the family unit
apply for the visa in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance

See all conditions

Check your eligibility

You must

have an agreement to work full time for a religious institution in Australia
be supported or sponsored depending on your circumstances
apply online

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.

About this visa

With this visa, you can

How long you can stay

Stay longer

Include family

Cost

Apply from

Processing times

Your obligations

Travel

Visa label

With this visa, you can

do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
include members of the family unit in your visa application

The work you do must directly serve the religious aims of a religious institution in Australia. You can't do secular work, like administration or aged care, for the institution.

Religious work could include:

providing spiritual leadership
conducting worship
teaching or offering guidance on religion
providing pastoral care
proselytising
other high-level specialist work relating to these things

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. We grant the length of stay based on the activity we approve you to do on the visa.

The maximum stay for this visa stream is 2 years.

The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

If you are overseas when the visa is granted, the visa stay period starts on the day that you enter Australia. If you are in Australia, the visa starts on the day that it is granted.

Your visa grant letter will tell you how long you can stay.

Stay longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa.

As a religious worker, you can apply for a second Temporary Activity visa. But you can't stay in Australia for more than 4 years in total on the first and second visa.

Explore your visa options.

Include family

You can:

include members of the family unit in your application when you apply, or
add family members to your application at any time before we make a decision

Family members who apply for the visa with you must also meet our health and character requirements.

Subsequent entrants

If we grant you the visa, your family members might be able to apply to join you in Australia later as a subsequent entrant.

Cost

The visa costs AUD430.00 for the main applicant.

There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you.

You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.

Apply from

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application.

Processing times

Your application might take longer to process if:

you don't fill it in correctly
you don't include all the documents we need, or we need more information from you
it takes us time to verify your information

We can't process your application if you don't pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.

Your obligations

You and your family must meet all visa conditions and follow Australian laws.

Learn more about conditions for this visa.

Your activities must not harm the work, training or work conditions of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

If you stop working for your sponsoring or supporting organisation, you may no longer be eligible to hold this visa. If this happens you must:

if eligible, apply for a new visa, or
leave Australia within 28 days of stopping work for your sponsor/supporter, or earlier if your visa is expiring

Travel

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.

Visa label

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

If we grant you a visa, we will send you a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number. You can use this number to access your digital visa record.

Eligibility

Have a suitable employment contract

You must have an agreement to work full time as a religious worker with a religious institution.

Your wages and employment conditions must meet the necessary standards under the relevant Australian legislation and awards.

Have a supporter or a sponsor

Your sponsor or supporter must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations.

For us to consider them a religious institution, they must:

be endorsed to receive income tax exemptions, as a charity, by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
have activities that reflect that it is a body instituted for the promotion of a religious object
have beliefs and practices that constitute a religion.

You must submit your visa application and include details of your sponsor or supporter.

Your sponsor or supporter cannot be operating as a Trust. In these cases, the Trustee of the Trust may be eligible to be your sponsor or supporter.

The ATO must endorse your sponsor or supporter to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.

If a Trust has obtained charitable status or income tax exemptions, this does not extend to the Trustee. We cannot accept this.

You need a supporter

You don't need a sponsor to apply for this visa if you:

apply outside Australia, and
intend to stay for less than 3 months in Australia

However, you must have a supporter who passes the support test to apply for this visa.

You need a sponsor

You need a sponsor who is a temporary activities sponsor to apply for this visa if you:

apply in Australia, or
apply outside Australia and intend to stay for more than 3 months in Australia

Have the right experience or qualifications for the work

You must have the appropriate experience and qualifications to do the religious work that is set out in your agreement.

Be able to support yourself and any dependants

You must have access to enough money during your stay in Australia to support yourself and any dependent family members who travel to Australia with you.

Meet the health requirement

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.

Meet the character requirement

You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement

We might also ask that other family members meet the requirement.

Have adequate health insurance

You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. Your cover should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.

See what we consider adequate health insurance.

See more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Be a genuine temporary entrant

You can't use our temporary visa program to maintain ongoing residency in Australia.

The genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement helps us to make sure that you use temporary visas correctly.

We generally do not let temporary residents extend their stay in Australia beyond 4 years by applying for this visa.

We must be satisfied that you have a genuine intention to stay here temporarily.

When assessing your application, we will consider:

your situation
your immigration history
previous compliance with visa conditions
any other relevant matter

Have paid back debt to the Australian government

If you owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back or have a formal arrangement to pay it back.

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must acknowledge the Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you apply for the visa.

Declare you have not paid for visa sponsorship

You must declare whether you have ever engaged in conduct that could constitute a breach of the prohibition on paying for visa sponsorship when you apply for the visa.

Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused

We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.

In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.

If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.

If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.

Meet all these criteria? Check how to apply in our step by step guide.

Step by step

Step 1

Before you apply

You must have an eligible sponsor or supporter. Let us know if you are getting help with your application.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Step 2

Gather your documents

Provide evidence to support your application, including sponsor or supporter documents.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

a national identity card, if you have one
proof of change of name

Documents that prove a change of name include:

a marriage or divorce certificate
change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
documents that show other names you have been known by

Sponsor documents

If you are being sponsored for the visa, provide evidence your sponsor:

is an approved temporary activities sponsor
is a religious organisation that operates lawfully in Australia
has been endorsed as a charity by the Australian Tax Office
will meet their obligations to you and anyone who applies for the visa with you

And that:

the organisation's objectives and activities promote a religious aim
its members' beliefs and practices constitute a religion

Supporter documents

Provide evidence your supporter:

is an approved temporary activities sponsor
is a religious organisation that operates lawfully in Australia
has been endorsed as a charity by the Australian Tax Office
will meet their obligations to you and anyone who applies for the visa with you

And that:

the organisation's objectives and activities promote a religious aim
its members' beliefs and practices constitute a religion

Also provide your supporter's letter of support.

Work documents

Provide evidence that:

you have been engaged to work full time
the work needs to be done by a religious worker, not just someone who believes in the religion
your duties will directly support the organisation's religious objectives
you have the appropriate experience and qualifications for the work you want to do in Australia
your contract with the sponsoring institution states what you will be paid and any other support you will get

Financial documents

Show us you can support yourself and anyone who comes to Australia on the visa with you by providing:

an employment contract or bank statements, or
evidence of your financial position from your bank or financial institution

We can also consider allowances, accommodation and other help from your employer or your religious community

Character documents

We will tell you if and when you need to get a police certificate.

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.

Partner documents

Provide:

identity documents
character documents
documents about other relationships, if applicable

Provide either:

your current marriage certificate or
enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply

Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:

joint bank account statements
billing accounts in joint names
joint leases or mortgages
documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you

Dependants under 18 documents

Provide your partner's:

identity documents
character documents
marriage certificate
documents about other relationships, if applicable

For de facto relationships provide either:

evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory
enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply

For both married and de facto applicants you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:

joint bank account statements
billing accounts in joint names
joint leases or mortgages
documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you

Dependants over 18 documents

To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:

over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner

If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.

Provide:

identity documents
documents about their other relationships, if applicable
character documents

You must also provide proof the child is dependent on you.

proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (307KB PDF)
proof of financial dependency such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions

Prepare your documents

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Provide original and translated documents in your application.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.

Scan or photograph

Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.

The scans and photos must be clear.

If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.

Step 3

Apply for the visa

You must apply for this visa online. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Apply online

We will not process your application until you pay the fee.

You must pay the fee and attach documents for all family members who apply.

Step 4

After you apply

We will let you know when we have received your application. See what you can and must do after apply.

Status updates

We can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.

You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount .

Travel

If you are in Australia, you don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when we make a decision.

But if you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.

Learn about visa expiry.

Health exams

If you didn't have health examinations before you applied, we will let you know if you need them. Check ImmiAccount.

Biometrics

We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.

Attach more information

If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.

We might also ask you to provide more information.

Stay lawful

If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.

If you were in Australia when you applied for this visa, you may be granted:

a Bridging visa A (BVA) if you held a substantive visa when you applied
a Bridging visa C (BVC) if you did not hold a substantive visa when you applied

If your current visa expires before we decide your application, the bridging visa will come into effect. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your visa application. You can't re-enter Australia on a BVA or BVC - there is no right of return on these visas and they will cease on departure.

Learn more about visa expiry.

Check what conditions might apply to your bridging visa or the visa you have applied for with our condition checker.

Add family

You can add members of the family unit to your application before we decide on your visa.

Subsequent entrants

If we grant you the visa, your family members might be able to apply to join you in Australia later as a subsequent entrant. You should declare any family members you might wish to include on your visa when you apply, even if they don't plan to travel with you to Australia at that time.

Newborn children

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Mistakes on your application

Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.

Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF) and attach it in ImmiAccount.

Help with your application

Let us know if you no longer want someone to:

receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.

For more information see Who can help you with your application.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
changes to your marital or de facto status
the birth of a child
you want to withdraw your application

See how to tell us if your situation changes.

Step 5

Visa outcome

You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we decide on your visa application.

We will let you know our decision in writing.

If we grant your visa, we will tell you:

your visa grant number
the date your visa starts
your visa conditions, if applicable

Keep a copy of the decision.

If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:

why we refused the visa
whether you have a right to a review of the decision

We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.

When you have this visa

Coming to Australia

In Australia

Leaving Australia

Coming to Australia

Before you travel

Check your travel documents

You must have:

a valid visa to enter Australia
a valid passport or other travel document.

At the border

Completing an Incoming Passenger Card

All people arriving in Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will be given this card onboard.

Leaving the airport faster

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use a SmartGate.

In Australia

What you can do when you have this visa

do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.

The work you do must directly serve the religious aims of a religious institution in Australia. You can't do secular work, like administration or aged care, for the institution.

To see your specific conditions and work entitlements use VEVO.

What you must do on this visa

You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.

See your conditions in VEVO.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
changes to your relationship status
the birth of a child.

If you stop doing the activity for the organisation that you were supported or sponsored by, you may no longer be eligible to hold this visa. If this happens, you can:

if eligible, apply for a new visa; or
leave Australia within 28 days of stopping work for your sponsor/supporter, or earlier if your visa is expiring

See how to tell us if there is a change in your situation.

See how long you can stay

The visa stay period starts on the date you enter Australia.

You can check your visa stay period in your visa grant letter or use VEVO.

To see when you must leave, use VEVO.

Staying longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.

The period of stay in Australia for a religious work on the Temporary Activity visa is limited to a total of 4 years.

See your options.

Travelling on your visa

You must make your first entry to Australia by the date specified in the visa grant letter. This is the Must not arrive after date.

Once you make your first entry to Australia your Visa stay period starts. Your Visa stay period is the length of time you can stay in Australia.

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want during your Visa stay period while the visa is valid.

Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa. The visa stay period does not start again each time you enter Australia. Any time you spend outside of Australia counts as part of the stay period.

See your conditions in VEVO.

Proving you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Working

To see your conditions for work, use VEVO.

If you have permission to work, you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.

Bringing family

Family members you declared on your visa application who did not apply for the visa with you might be eligible to apply for a subsequent entrant visa.

Apply for a subsequent entrant visa using the Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent Entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

Ensure your visa is still valid.

See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.

At the border

Departures SmartGate

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

Getting your superannuation

You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and you are:

aged 18 years or older
paid AUD450 or more before tax in a month.

See how to access your super.

Proving you have been to Australia

To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia request your international movement records.