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    1. Home
    2. Visas
    3. Getting a visa
    4. List of all visas

    Subclass 403

    Temporary Work (International Relations) visa

    A temporary visa to work in specific circumstances that improve Australia’s international relations.

    Basic Eligibility

    Each stream has specific eligibility requirements.
    Temporary work (International relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Government Agreement stream

    This visa stream allows a person to work in Australia under the terms and conditions of a bilateral agreement between the Australian Government or a state/territory government and a government of another country.
    Stay

    You can stay until the time we specify in your visa grant notice. This may be up to 4 years.

    Cost

    From  

    Processing Time

    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.

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Be employed or engaged under the terms and conditions of a bilateral agreement between the Australian Government or a state/territory government and another country
    • Stay in Australia for up to 4 years
    • Apply for the visa in or outside Australia.
    ​
    Temporary work (International relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Foreign Government Agency stream

    This visa stream lets you come to Australia for specific activities. You could work in Australia as a representative of a foreign government agency, or employed by a foreign government as a foreign language teacher in an Australian school.
    Stay

    You can stay until the time we specify in your visa grant notice, which may be up to 4 years.

    Cost

    From  

    Processing Time

    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.

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You can work as a representative of a foreign government agency that does not enjoy official status in Australia (provided that you would not, as a representative of that agency, enjoy official status in Australia)
    • You can work as a foreign language teacher employed by a foreign government in an Australian school
    • You can apply for the visa in or outside Australia, but not from immigration clearance
    ​
    Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream

    This visa stream lets a person aged 18 years or older do temporary full-time domestic work in Australia in the household of someone who holds a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995).
    Stay

    Up to 12 months on your first visa.

    A further Domestic Worker stream visa will let you stay for the time specified in your Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) support letter.

    Cost

    From  

    Processing Time

    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.

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You can do full-time domestic work in the household of someone who holds a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995)
    • ​You must be outside Australia the first time you apply and when we decide on your application.
    Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Privileges and Immunities stream

    This visa stream lets you come to Australia if you have, or expect to have, privileges and immunities under relevant legislation. You can stay in Australia on this visa while you are working as an international representative.
    Stay

    You can stay for the time we specify in your visa grant letter. This is usually the time you are an international representative with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

    Cost
    Free
    Processing Time

    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.

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​You can stay in Australia while you are working as an international representative
    • Your position must have, or expect to have, privileges and immunities under relevant legislation
    • You need a letter of support from the DFAT
    Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Pacific Australia Labour Mobility stream

    This visa stream lets you come to Australia to participate in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
    Stay

    You can stay until the time we specify in your visa grant notice. This may be up to 4 years.

    Cost

    From  

    Processing Time

    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.

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​be a citizen and resident of a participating PALM scheme country​
    • be sponsored by a temporary activities sponsor, that is approved by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) as a PALM scheme employer
    • work under the PALM scheme for up to:
      • 9 months if you are employed under a short-term work contract
      • 4 years if you are employed under a long-term work contract.
    ​ ​
    Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)

    Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)

    This visa stream allows Indian graduates and early career professionals to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years. Applicants must be selected in a ballot to apply.
    Stay

    You can stay in Australia for up to 2 years.

    Cost

    From  

    Processing Time

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

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