How this Visa Works
On this page
You must be sponsored by an approved Australian employer to be eligible to apply for this visa.
You should not lodge your visa application until you have received confirmation that your sponsorship has been approved.
Application process
The process for applying for this visa is outlined below.
| Who | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Sponsoring organisation |
|
| Doctor |
|
Sponsoring organisations
Sponsoring organisations can be:
- direct employers from the health industry
- state and territory health authorities
- deputising services and locum agencies
- community bodies such as local councils, government health organisations and medical centres in regional areas.
Work rights
While in Australia you can only work for the employer who sponsored you in the position nominated in your visa application.
Bringing family
The following people may be included in your application:
- your spouse
- your or your spouse's dependent children
- other dependent relatives.
See: Definitions
Family members who are granted a temporary visa are entitled to work and study in Australia.
Visa validity period
The validity period of the:
- sponsorship is 12 months
- temporary visa is between 3 months and 4 years.
Extending your stay
If you currently hold a Subclass 422 – Medical Practitioner (Temporary) visa and decide to apply for a further visa to extend your stay, a new sponsorship and visa application must be lodged.
See: Apply for this visa
Other visa options
Doctors and their sponsors should consider applying for the Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa instead of the Subclass 422 – Medical Practitioner (Temporary) visa.
The Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa offers the following advantages:
- it can be lodged online
- it allows organisations to make multiple nominations for doctors under the same sponsorship
- organisations can nominate other health professionals such as nurses, radiologists etc under the same sponsorship.
See: Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457)
Definitions
These definitions will help you understand the information on these pages.
See: Definitions
More information
More information about temporary residence visas is available on the department's website.
See: Information Form 986i Temporary Residence in Australia (non-business) - general guide (68KB PDF file)