How this visa works

Establish a professional development program

Professional development programs need three participating entities:

• an Australian sponsoring organisation that is approved or intends to apply for approval as a professional development sponsor
• an eligible overseas employer that employs or is inviting people to participate in the program
• suitable overseas participants invited by the overseas employer to participate in the program.

The process for establishing a professional development program is summarised in the table below.

It is the responsibility of the…	to…
Australian sponsoring organisation in consultation with an overseas employer	design a professional development program to meet the overseas employer's needs and the specific criteria of a professional development program. establish an eligible professional development agreement with the overseas employer inviting the overseas participants in the program. ensure that the program and the agreement meets the specific criteria required for the Professional Development visa.
Australian sponsoring organisation	obtain approval as a professional development sponsor for the professional development program. lodge professional development visas for overseas participants. conduct the professional development program by itself or supported by additional nominated training providers. comply with their obligations as a professional development sponsor.
Visa holder (overseas participant)	participate in the training program. comply with professional development visa conditions.

See: Information form 1228i Professional Development ( 80KB PDF file)

Professional development programs

Professional development programs being offered by Australian sponsoring organisations:

• must be designed to develop the skills of the managers and/ or professionals that will participate in the program
• must provide skills and expertise relevant to the business and business background of the overseas employer
• must be primarily face-to-face teaching in a classroom or similar environment (at least 55 per cent)
• must not exceed 18 months in length (except in approved exceptional circumstances)
• may include participation in a course that would lead to the award of a recognised Australian qualification.

Practical components of a professional development program for overseas participants must:

• not adversely impact the Australian labour market
• not exceed 45 per cent of the program
• not exceed 35 hours in any week and 7 hours in any day
• only involve remuneration to the overseas employer that is paid by the overseas employer.

Sponsorship

The Australian sponsoring organisation must seek approval as a professional development sponsor for a specific professional development program. Sponsorship approval will be valid for the period of the associated professional development agreement up to a maximum of 3 years after the approval was granted.

If the Australian sponsoring organisation wishes to sponsor overseas participants in a professional development program for which the sponsorship period has expired, a new application for sponsorship approval must be submitted.

Should an Australian sponsoring organisation wish to sponsor overseas participants to undertake different professional development programs, a new sponsorship will be required to cover each program. Major adjustments to the structure of approved programs will also require a new sponsorship application.

There is no limit on the number of valid sponsorship approvals an organisation may hold concurrently or the number of overseas participants who may be sponsored under each sponsorship approval.

From 14 September 2009, a new sponsorship framework has been introduced for a number of temporary residence visas with work rights. The changes aim to strengthen the integrity of the temporary residence visa program, while protecting the employment and training opportunities of local labour.
See: Frequently Asked Questions – Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 (the Worker Protection Act)

Visa validity period

The Australian sponsoring organisation must submit visa applications on behalf of overseas participants in a professional development program. A Professional Development visa will be granted no more than 4 weeks before the start of, and expire 2 weeks after the end of, the overseas participant's professional development program.
Note: Professional development visas cannot be extended.

Professional development visa definitions

The following terms are used for this visa.
See: Definitions