Step 1 - Organisation Applies to be a Sponsor
On this page
You will need sponsorship if you are seeking to enter Australia as one of the following:
- an individual or team taking part in specific sports events and who is staying more than three (3) months
- a contracted player, coach or instructor who has an agreement with a club/organisation
- a sportsperson coming to Australia to train with a club/organisation
- a sports instructor who has a business arrangement with a club/organisation
- a judge or adjudicator staying for more than three (3) months.
Sponsorship application
Your sponsor must complete the sponsorship application.
See: Form 55 - Application for temporary residence sponsorship (110KB PDF File)
Sponsorship fee
There is a fee for this sponsorship. However, if you are entering Australia as an amateur sportsperson the sponsorship fee may be waived.
See: Special Activities Visa Charges
Sponsorship application checklist
The sponsorship application checklist details the documents the sponsor needs to provide with their sponsorship application. Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.
See: Sponsorship Document Checklist Sports Visa (Subclass 421) (43KB PDF file)
How and where to lodge
Your sponsor must lodge the sponsorship application and appropriate fee:
- by post
- by courier
- in person
- by fax.
The sponsorship application with any supporting documentation must be lodged in Australia at the nearest departmental office.
See: Australian Offices
After the sponsor lodges the application
The sponsorship application will be considered by the department. In some cases the sponsor may be asked to provide additional information to enable a decision to be made.
Sponsorship decision
If the sponsorship is approved, the department will send the sponsor an approval letter by post or email. This letter will explain the steps you will need to follow to obtain your visa. The sponsor should advise you to lodge your visa application as soon as they receive advice that the sponsorship has been approved.
If the sponsorship is not approved, the department will send the sponsor a refusal letter by post or email advising of the decision, reasons for the decision and information about any review rights.