Trainee Eligibility

To be eligible for this visa, you must meet all the following requirements:

• be sponsored by an approved sport sponsor
• be the subject of an approved nomination by the sponsor
• have the sponsor lodge a nomination
• have a formal arrangement with an Australian sporting organisation to participate in a structured training program
• have an established reputation in your field of sport
• have skills, qualifications, experience which match those required for the nominated skilled position
• have sufficient funds to support you and any accompanying family members while in Australia
• have health care coverage for you and any family members.

Established reputation

To confirm your established reputation in your field of sport you must provide a letter of endorsement from the Australian national sporting body of the sport concerned. Your sponsoring organisation will be able to provide you with further information on which organisation in Australia is responsible for your sport. The letter must confirm:

• that you are currently competing, coaching or instructing at the national level in your home country
• that you will benefit the sport in Australia through your participation in that sport.

Incidental activity

You may undertake other activities provided it:

• is undertaken for the sponsor
• is consistent with the activity/position you were approved to fill
• is incidental to the main purpose of your stay (no more than 20 percent of your activities)
• must not provide more income than that derived from your main purpose of stay in Australia.

Incidental activity can include the undertaking of study, such as English Second Language (ESL), to improve your sporting activity or understanding of that activity.

Financial support

You must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself, any accompanying family members for the duration of your stay in Australia. You may be asked to provide evidence of funds, such as bank statements or a letter from your financial institution stating your financial position.

Unpaid position

A position is considered unpaid where the work or activity to be undertaken would not attract a salary or wage if undertaken by an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.

Salary or wages

The salary or wages payable to you must be in accordance with Australian labour laws and practices.

If there is no award, and it is not a volunteer position, you must receive at least the minimum federal award rate.

Health insurance requirements

You must hold adequate health insurance cover for the entire time you are in Australia. You should ensure your insurance will provide at least the level of coverage required for your purpose of stay. Your health insurance cover does not have to be held with an Australian insurer, arrangements made in your home country may be assessed as being acceptable.

As a guide to the level of health insurance the department will accept as adequate, refer to 'Attachment A' in the health insurance standard template letter.
See: Health Insurance Standard Template Letter (106KB RTF file)

This requirement may not apply to you if your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, and you are enrolled with Medicare.
See: Medicare Australia Health Care for Visitors to Australia

Medicare levy exemption

The Medicare Levy is a tax paid through the personal tax system in Australia. People granted temporary residence visas may be subject to the Medicare Levy. The Medicare Levy is based on the taxable income of the individual for each income tax year.

If you are from a country that has no reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia, you and your dependents, who have not been entitled to Medicare benefits can seek an exemption from the Medicare levy in your end of financial year income tax return. Your lack of entitlement to Medicare benefits must be certified by the Minister for Health.

If you are from a country with reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia, Medicare assistance is available for immediately necessary treatment. Nationals from reciprocal countries are therefore not exempt from the Medicare levy. You will need to complete a Medicare Levy Exemption Certification Form.
See: Medicare

Health requirements

You must meet health requirements and may need to undergo a health examination.
See: Health Requirements

Character requirements

You must be of good character to enter Australia.
See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

Other visa options

If you intend to undertake training for less than three (3) months and will not be paid, alternative visas are eVisitor (subclass 651), the Tourist visa (subclass 676) and the ETA for visitors (subclass 976).
See: Tourists Visa Options

Australian Values Statement

If you are aged 18 years or over, you must declare that you will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. When you sign the application form it means you will also be signing the values statement. You will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if you wish.

You are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.
See: Australian Values - Overview

Before lodging an application, please read all related requirements.
See: Eligibility