How this Visa Works
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This visa allows media and film staff to travel and work in Australia.
The people covered by this visa are:
- professional media staff of overseas news organisations assigned to Australia as accredited representatives of that organisation, such as Foreign correspondents, journalists, reporters
- television or film crew, including actors, production and support staff and still photographers involved in production of documentary programs or commercials where the initial point of distribution is for use outside Australia
- media and film staff approved under a country to country agreement to which Australia is a party.
Sponsorship
You will require sponsorship if you are staying in Australia for more than three months and are not entering under a country to country agreement.
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 dependent children
- other dependent relatives living with you.
See: Family Member Definitions
Visa validity period
If you are not sponsored, the period of stay in Australia is determined by the time you will need to complete your media and film related activity.
If you are sponsored, the period of stay in Australia will be for the length of the contract.
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 form and attach appropriate evidence required 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: How to Apply
Other visa options
Programs shown in Australia
If the program may be shown in Australia, you should apply for an Entertainment Visa (subclass 420). This includes, if the program will be shown on cable/satellite TV, as it is likely that it will be viewed in Australia.
See: Entertainment Visa (Subclass 420)
Professional Media
Professional media staff members of overseas news organisations (print, radio, TV or film media) assigned to Australia as accredited representatives of that organisation (for example, as their foreign correspondent) may apply for either:
- a Temporary Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456) which allows you to stay in Australia three months or less
- a Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (subclass 457) which allows you to stay in Australia for up to four years