How this Visa Works
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This visa allows representatives or employees of foreign government agencies who do not have official status in Australia, to travel to and work in Australia.
Sponsorship
You will require sponsorship if you are staying in Australia for more than three (3) months and are not entering under a country to country agreement or entering Australia to direct one of the following operations:
- the British Council
- the Alliance Francaise
- the Goethe-Institut
- the Italian Cultural Institute.
Where sponsorship is required, you should not lodge your visa application until you have received confirmation that sponsorship has been approved.
Work rights
While you are in Australia you can work only 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: Family Member Definitions
Visa validity period
You can stay in Australia for whichever of the following is earlier:
- four (4) years
- the period of stay approved by your Foreign Ministry or relevant government agency
- the approved period of sponsorship (if applicable).
Extending your stay
If while in Australia you decide to apply for a further visa to extend your stay, you will need to complete a new visa application and attach appropriate evidence to support the purpose of your stay.
If sponsorship is required, the sponsor will need to lodge a new sponsorship application.
The sponsorship and visa applications should be lodged well in advance of the expiry date of your current visa.
See: Apply for this visa
Who this visa is not for
This visa is not intended for:
- DFAT-accredited representatives of foreign governments or foreign government agencies. You should consider applying for a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995).
Example: Diplomats, United Nation agency executives and consular officials (including service staff employed by a diplomatic mission).
See: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade > Contacts - representatives of foreign governments or government agencies seeking a visa for business purposes, rather than employment. You should apply for a temporary business visa.