Definitions

Australian sponsoring organisation

The sponsor that is providing the professional development program in Australia. This organisation will need to be approved as a professional development sponsor, and to be eligible must either be an Australian organisation or a government agency.

Australian organisation

A body corporate or an unincorporated association (other than an individual or sole trader) or partnership that is lawfully established in Australia.

Government agency

An agency of the Commonwealth or of a state or territory.

Overseas employer

One of the following:

• a body corporate or an unincorporated association (other than an individual or sole trader) that:
• conducts activities under the auspices of the government of a foreign country or a province, territory or state of a foreign country; and
• employs or invites the overseas participant.

• a multilateral agency that:
• is operating; and
• has operated for a continuous period of one year before the date of the application; and
• employs or invites the overseas participant.

• a registered business that:
• is conducted by a body corporate or unincorporated association (other than an individual or sole trader) outside Australia; and
• is actively and lawfully operating outside Australia; and
• has actively and lawfully operated outside Australia for a continuous period of one year before the date of application; and
• employs the overseas participant.

Overseas participant

A professional, manager, or government official who:

• is employed or invited by an eligible overseas employer to participate in the professional development program
• is sponsored by the professional development sponsor providing the program in Australia
• is outside Australia at the time of their professional development visa application and until the visa is granted
• has a genuine intention to undertake an approved professional development program.

Participant cost

The costs of the overseas participant's:

• travel and entry to Australia
• tuition for the professional development program
• accommodation in Australia
• living expenses in Australia
• health insurance in Australia
• return travel from Australia.

Professional development agreement

The agreement made between the Australian sponsoring organisation, the overseas employer and any other organisation involved in the professional development program.

Professional development program

The program that will be provided by the professional development sponsor to the overseas participants selected by the overseas employer. 

Professional development sponsor

An Australian organisation or government agency that is an approved sponsor in relation to the professional development sponsor class.