How this Visa Works
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This visa allows suitably qualified and experienced religious workers, including ministers, priests and spiritual leaders to serve the spiritual needs of people of their faith in Australia.
This visa is not intended for people who wish simply to undertake work for a religious organisation. It must be for work that specifically requires a religious worker and not merely a religious adherent.
Sponsorship
You must be sponsored for this visa. The sponsoring organisation is the religious organisation in Australia.
You should not lodge your visa application until you have received confirmation that sponsorship has been approved.
Work rights
You can work in Australia but 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
Your visa is valid for the period sought by your sponsor with a maximum stay of two (2) years.
Extending your stay
If while in Australia you decide to apply for a further visa to extend your stay, the sponsor will need to lodge a new sponsorship application and you will need to lodge a new visa application with the appropriate evidence to support the purpose of your stay.
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
People at the start of a religious life, who want to volunteer in a monastery or other religious institution, prior to undertaking formal religious training or tertiary study may be eligible to undertake a Special Program under the Subclass 416 visa.
See: Special Programs Visa (Subclass 416)
People with at least 12 months of work experience, study or training in a religious field, who want to undertake a formal religious training program, may be eligible for a Subclass 442 visa.
See: Occupational Trainee Visa (Subclass 442)
People undertaking full-time CRICOS university courses may be eligible for a student visa.
See: Students
Entry under a Labour Agreement may be suitable if an agreement is in place between the religious organisation and the Commonwealth.
See: Labour Agreements
For stays of less than three (3) months to attend a religious event, attend meetings, lecture or speak at religious rallies or participate in a retreat or short training course you may be eligible for a Temporary Business Entry visa or Visitor visa.
See:
Business Visit Visa Options
Tourists
More information on these options is also available
See: Visa Pathways for Religious Workers (62KB PDF file)