Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)
Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)
Visa Cost
AUD 365 (non-PALM stream) / AUD 345 (PALM stream) / nil in some cases
2025-26 financial year first-instalment base VAC (primary applicant), from 2025-07-01, varying by stream: non-PALM stream about AUD 365, PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) stream about AUD 345; the Privileges and Immunities stream and certain other cases may be nil (no fee). Accompanying family members are charged separately (those 18 and over about AUD 95-365, under 18 about AUD 80-95, by stream). The fee for each stream is per the official current-visa-pricing.
Processing Time
About 1-4 months (depending on the stream, whether a government agreement is involved, and background checks)
Eligibility
- The work in Australia falls within one of the specific cases that improve Australia's international relations (depending on the chosen stream)
- Government Agreement stream: working under the terms of a bilateral agreement between the Australian government and another government (up to 2 years)
- Foreign Government Agency stream: employed by a foreign government for work such as foreign-language teaching or as a representative of a foreign government agency (up to 4 years)
- Domestic Worker (Diplomatic/Consular) stream: aged 18 and over, performing full-time domestic work for the household of a 995 Diplomatic (Temporary) visa holder (up to 12 months, renewable)
- Privileges and Immunities stream: international representatives who enjoy or are expected to enjoy privileges and immunities under the relevant law
- PALM stream: participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, requiring you to be a citizen of a participating Pacific island nation or Timor-Leste, with an approved PALM-registered employer, and meeting skill and health requirements
- Meet health and character requirements and hold health insurance covering your time in Australia (by stream)
- A genuine temporary entry intention, leaving Australia after the work/arrangement ends
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
The stay depends on the stream: short-term work contracts up to about 9 months, long-term work contracts up to 4 years; the diplomatic domestic worker stream up to 12 months for the first grant (renewable with the supported diplomat's term); the Government Agreement stream is per the agreement terms.
Eligible Dependants
Whether family members can be brought varies by stream; some streams (such as long-term work contracts and foreign-language teachers) allow eligible spouse/children to be included, while others (such as seasonal workers) generally do not; the visa grant notice/relevant agreement prevails.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
No PR pathway. 403 is a purpose/agreement-specific temporary visa serving Australia's international relations obligations (streams such as Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency, foreign-language teacher, diplomatic domestic worker, and seasonal worker); it does not lead to permanent residence, and some streams (such as seasonal worker) carry the 8503 'no further application' restriction.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Common Visa Conditions
Full explanations of condition codes are in the Visa Conditions Lookup
Application Steps
Identify the applicable 403 stream
Identify the applicable 403 stream
Determine the stream based on your purpose (Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency, diplomatic domestic worker, Privileges and Immunities, PALM).
- Different streams are supported by different sponsors/agreement parties, with different fees and durations
- The PALM stream requires an approved employer with PALM registration
Secure the agreement, sponsor or employer support
Secure the agreement, sponsor or employer support
Depending on the stream, obtain the government agreement basis, evidence of foreign government employment, or a job offer from a PALM-approved employer.
- The Government Agreement stream cites a bilateral agreement
- For the PALM stream, an approved employer provides the employment arrangement
Lodge the 403 application online
Lodge the 403 application online
Lodge the application via ImmiAccount, select the correct stream, and upload supporting documents.
- The relevant agreement/employer/sponsorship
- Answer health and character questions truthfully
Pay charge (or confirm nil), health exam, insurance
Pay charge (or confirm nil), health exam, insurance
Pay the VAC by stream (non-PALM about AUD 365, PALM about AUD 345, the Privileges and Immunities stream may be nil), complete the health examination and take out health insurance.
- The Privileges and Immunities stream and similar may be free
- For the PALM stream, the health examination and insurance are arranged by the program
Provide stream-specific evidence
Provide stream-specific evidence
Upload the bilateral agreement text, foreign government appointment, PALM employment contract, evidence of the diplomatic domestic worker employer's 995 visa, etc.
- The diplomatic domestic worker stream requires evidence of the employer's 995 visa
- The PALM stream requires evidence of the employer's PALM registration
Await grant and travel
Await grant and travel
After grant, travel to Australia within the period set in the grant notice to undertake the relevant work/arrangement.
- Stay duration varies by stream: domestic worker 12 months, Government Agreement 2 years, Foreign Government Agency 4 years, etc.
- Comply with the visa conditions
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Valid passport | Proof of identity and nationality; for the PALM stream you must be a citizen of a participating country. | Validity covering the stay. | |
| Stream-specific agreement or support document | Stream-specific agreement or support document | Such as the bilateral government agreement basis, foreign government employment evidence, or PALM employer offer; these are core materials. | Clearly cite the relevant agreement name/number or the employer's PALM registration details. | |
| PALM approved employer and contract | PALM approved employer and contract | For the PALM stream, evidence of an approved employer registered in the PALM program and the employment arrangement. | Includes the position, duration, pay, and evidence of the employer's PALM registration. | |
| Foreign government appointment letter | Foreign government appointment letter | Prove employment by a foreign government agency (such as a foreign-language teacher/agency representative). | Issued by the foreign government agency, setting out the position and posting period. | |
| Employer's subclass 995 visa evidence | Employer's subclass 995 visa evidence | For the diplomatic domestic worker stream, prove the employer holds a Diplomatic (Temporary) (995) visa. | Attach the employment contract, proving full-time domestic work and that the applicant is 18 or over. | |
| Privileges and immunities evidence | Privileges and immunities evidence | Prove the applicant enjoys or is expected to enjoy privileges and immunities under the relevant law. | Confirmation issued by DFAT or the relevant international organisation/mission. | |
| Employment contract / work arrangement | Employment contract / work arrangement | Prove the work content, duration and pay arrangements. | The duration must match the stay allowed by the chosen stream. | |
| Adequate health insurance | Adequate health insurance | Covering medical care while in Australia (for streams such as PALM, the program arranges the corresponding cover). | Covering the primary applicant and family members for the entire period. | |
| Health examination | Health examination | Meet health requirements. | For the PALM stream, the health examination is usually arranged collectively by the program. | |
| Police clearance certificate(s) | Police clearance certificate(s) | Meet character requirements. | Countries of cumulative 12-month residence require it; with a certified translation. | |
| Evidence of funds or accommodation arrangements | Evidence of funds or accommodation arrangements | Prove you can support yourself while in Australia (for some streams the employer/program covers this). | Bank statements or a statement of board/allowance provided by the employer. | |
| Family relationship evidence | Family relationship evidence | If bringing family, prove the relationship is genuine. | Marriage/birth certificate, notarised, authenticated and translated. |
FAQ
403 has several streams; which one commonly applies to Chinese applicants?
Is the 403 visa fee the same for all streams?
How long can you stay on 403?
Can I apply for the PALM stream?
Common Refusal Reasons
- Unable to prove the specific conditions of the chosen stream (Government Agreement/Foreign Government Agency/diplomatic domestic worker/seasonal worker, etc.)
- Lacking the required agreement, DFAT support letter, or valid documents from the employer/sending organisation
- Not holding an eligible substantive temporary visa at onshore lodgement (a bridging/transit/prior 403 does not qualify)
- Unable to prove a genuine temporary entry intention, or the work exceeds the scope of the approved agreement/program
- Insufficient funds/health insurance, or health or character not met
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.