Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (Subclass 403)
The Temporary Work (International Relations) visa allows eligible people to undertake specific work or activities in Australia that support Australia's international relations under an approved stream.
Subclass 403 is not a general work visa. Applicants must qualify under a specific stream and perform only the work or activity authorised by that stream, supporting agreement, government agency, diplomatic arrangement or approved program.
What is the Subclass 403 Visa?
Subclass 403 is a temporary visa covering several specialised international-relations arrangements. Each stream has different eligibility, support, sponsorship, stay, family, location and work conditions.
The visa period is specified in the grant notice. Some streams can allow a stay of up to four years, while others have shorter periods tied to an employment contract, government agreement, diplomatic posting or approved mobility program.
Key features
Government Agreement stream
This stream is for work under a bilateral agreement between the Australian Government or an Australian state or territory government and another country's government. Both signatories must support the stay, and the activity must comply with the agreement and benefit Australia.
The visa can be granted for the period specified, potentially up to four years. Family may be included only where the agreement permits it and the Australian signatory's support letter specifies it.
Foreign Government Agency stream
This stream can cover a representative of a foreign government agency that does not enjoy official diplomatic or consular status in Australia, or a foreign-language teacher employed by a foreign government to teach in an Australian school.
The applicant needs support from the relevant foreign government agency and, for a language-teaching role, support from the Australian school. The role, remuneration and activity must satisfy the stream requirements.
Domestic Worker stream
The Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream is for a person aged at least 18 undertaking full-time domestic work in the household of a Subclass 995 Diplomatic visa holder.
A first visa generally permits up to 12 months. A further visa may be possible with a compliant employment contract and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade support. Family members cannot be included in this stream.
Privileges and Immunities stream
This stream supports a person who has, or is expected to have, privileges and immunities under relevant Australian legislation. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade must provide the necessary support.
The authorised activity and stay are linked to the person's official status and duties. Applicants should not assume that a government or international-organisation role automatically meets this stream.
PALM and other program pathways
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility stream allows eligible workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to work for an approved PALM scheme employer. Recruitment, employer approval, worker selection, welfare and employment arrangements are governed by the PALM program and visa rules.
The former Seasonal Worker Program stream closed to new applications and was replaced by PALM. Where a specialised program such as MATES is available, applicants must meet that program's nationality, ballot or selection, qualification, age, timing and lodgement requirements.
How the Subclass 403 process works
Identify the correct stream
Match the proposed work to an active agreement, agency, diplomatic or mobility-program pathway.
Secure required support
Obtain the government, DFAT, school, program or approved-employer documents required by the stream.
Check applicant eligibility
Confirm skills, licensing, employment, finances, health insurance, location and temporary-stay criteria.
Lodge through ImmiAccount
Submit the correct stream application with identity, support and activity evidence and pay the applicable charge.
Comply with visa conditions
Perform only authorised work, maintain required insurance and observe employer, travel and stay conditions.
General applicant requirements
Applicants must genuinely intend a temporary stay for the declared work or activity, have adequate means to support themselves and accompanying family, satisfy health and character requirements and maintain adequate health insurance where required.
Professional registration, licensing, English ability or qualifications may apply to the role. Australian Government debts and previous visa refusals or cancellations can also affect eligibility.
Applying in or outside Australia
Location rules vary by stream. Some applicants can apply and receive a decision in or outside Australia, while other streams impose specific offshore, onshore or current-visa requirements.
An onshore applicant should check their substantive visa, no-further-stay conditions, application bars and bridging-visa travel rights before lodging. The visa cannot simply be “extended”; a further visa application is required where the stream allows it.
Family members
Family inclusion depends on the stream and supporting arrangement. Eligible family can sometimes apply with the primary applicant or later as subsequent entrants, but each person must meet health, character and financial-support requirements.
Some streams prohibit family inclusion or restrict family work rights. The exact grant conditions for every family member should be checked in VEVO.
Important Subclass 403 Considerations
- Select the precise active stream before applying.
- Obtain all required government or program support.
- Perform only the work or activity authorised by the visa.
- Check stream-specific stay and location rules.
- Meet licensing, health, character and insurance requirements.
- Confirm whether family members can be included.
- Use VEVO to monitor conditions and visa validity.
Documents commonly required
Evidence may include passports, government agreement and signatory letters, foreign agency support, DFAT documentation, school support, employment contracts, approved PALM employer records, qualifications, licences, financial evidence, health insurance, police certificates, health examinations and family relationship documents.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can identify the appropriate Subclass 403 stream, review support and location requirements, prepare a tailored evidence checklist, assess family-member options and assist with the visa application and compliance planning.