Stream Assessment
We review your role, supporting organisation and purpose of travel to help identify the relevant Subclass 403 stream.
Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa Subclass 403
The Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa Subclass 403 is for people coming to Australia under an international agreement, foreign government arrangement, diplomatic placement, MATES program or Pacific labour mobility arrangement.
There are six Subclass 403 visa streams. Each stream has different eligibility, supporting documents and application requirements. Depending on the stream, you may need government support, a DFAT letter, ballot selection or an approved sponsor.
Think Higher Consultants can assess the correct stream, review the supporting arrangement and help prepare your Subclass 403 visa application through ImmiAccount.
Speak with our team about your Subclass 403 visa options.Our Subclass 403 Visa Services
Government and DFAT Document Guidance
We guide you on the government agreements, foreign government letters, employment arrangements and DFAT documents that may be required.
MATES Application Support
We help selected applicants understand the required documents and guide them through the MATES visa application process.
PALM Immigration Guidance
We provide guidance on the immigration requirements connected with approved PALM arrangements.
Family Application Guidance
We assess whether eligible family members may be included or apply separately at a later stage and explain the relevant requirements.
Visa Application Support
We guide you through the online application, explain the supporting evidence required and assist you in responding to requests from the Department.
Subclass 403 Visa Streams
| Stream | Who it may suit |
|---|---|
| Government Agreement | People working under a formal agreement between an Australian government body and a foreign government |
| Foreign Government Agency | Eligible foreign government representatives and certain foreign-language teachers |
| Domestic Worker – Diplomatic or Consular | People undertaking full-time domestic work in an eligible diplomatic household |
| Privileges and Immunities | International representatives who hold or expect to hold recognised privileges and immunities |
| MATES | Eligible Indian graduates and early-career professionals selected through the MATES ballot |
| Pacific Australia Labour Mobility | Eligible Pacific and Timor-Leste workers employed through an approved PALM arrangement |
The Government Agreement and Foreign Government Agency streams may allow stays of up to four years. MATES can allow up to two years, while the first Domestic Worker stream visa is generally granted for up to 12 months. The actual stay period is shown in the visa grant letter.
Subclass 403 Visa Requirements
The requirements depend on the selected stream. Applicants may need to show that they:
- Meet the criteria of one Subclass 403 stream
- Have support from the relevant government, organisation, program or employer
- Have the skills or experience required for the proposed role
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have adequate financial support
- Hold suitable health insurance
- Intend to undertake the approved work or activity
- Meet any stream-specific application location requirements
Some applicants will also need a government agreement, employment contract, DFAT support letter, foreign government letter, MATES ballot invitation or PALM sponsorship.
Government Support and Sponsorship
Not every Subclass 403 applicant needs a Temporary Activities Sponsor.
| Stream | Main supporting arrangement |
|---|---|
| Government Agreement | Support under a qualifying agreement between governments |
| Foreign Government Agency | Written support from the relevant foreign government agency |
| Domestic Worker | Employment agreement and DFAT support |
| Privileges and Immunities | DFAT support and recognised legal status |
| MATES | Selection through the MATES pre-application ballot |
| PALM | Approved PALM employer and Temporary Activities Sponsor |
MATES applicants cannot apply directly. Eligible Indian nationals must first register in the ballot and be selected. The program provides up to 3,000 primary visa places per program year.
Subclass 403 Visa Documents
There is no single checklist for every applicant.
Personal Documents
You may need:
- Passport and identity documents
- Current CV
- Qualifications and employment records
- Financial evidence
- Health insurance
- Police certificates
- Health examination results
- Family documents where applicable
Stream-Specific Documents
Depending on your stream, you may need:
- Australian government agreement
- Government support letter
- Foreign government agency letter
- Employment agreement
- DFAT support letter
- Evidence of privileges and immunities
- MATES ballot selection notice
- Indian passport and PAN card
- PALM employment and sponsorship documents
- Australian licences or registrations
Think Higher Consultants provides a document checklist based on the selected stream rather than using one general temporary work visa checklist.
Can Family Members Be Included?
Eligible family members may be included in some Subclass 403 streams, but family inclusion is not available automatically in every pathway.
Where permitted, an eligible spouse, de facto partner or dependent child may be included. The relevant government agreement, program or supporting arrangement must allow family members.
Family members applying separately after the primary visa is granted must meet the requirements of the relevant stream and provide evidence of their relationship to the primary visa holder. Home Affairs uses a subsequent entrant application through ImmiAccount where this option is available.
Subclass 403 Visa Cost
There is no single government charge for every Subclass 403 stream.
The final cost may depend on:
- The selected stream
- Any applicable concession or nil charge
- Family members included
- Sponsorship requirements
- Payment surcharges
- The charges in effect on the lodgement date
The Privileges and Immunities stream currently has no visa application charge. MATES applicants must pay a separate ballot registration fee before they can be considered for selection. Ballot payment does not guarantee selection or visa approval.
Other expenses may include health examinations, police certificates, insurance, translations, biometrics and professional fees.
Government charges can change. The current Visa Pricing Estimator should be checked before lodgement.
Subclass 403 Visa Processing Time
Processing times vary between streams.
The time required may be affected by:
- Government or DFAT support
- MATES ballot selection
- PALM employer approval
- Sponsor approval
- Health and character checks
- Family applications
- Missing or inconsistent documents
- Requests for further information
The Department’s published processing times are based on recently decided applications. They are a guide only and do not guarantee when an individual application will be finalised.
Registered Migration Advice
Subclass 403 Stream And Application Guidance
Migration advice is provided through Registered Migration Agent Aneel Khowaja, MARN 1571699.
Your application can be reviewed according to the government, diplomatic, MATES or PALM pathway involved.
Related Temporary Visas
Related Visas And Temporary Work Options
Compare closely connected temporary work and activity pathways where the purpose of travel does not fit a Subclass 403 stream.
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Registered Migration Agent
Migration advice is provided through Registered Migration Agent Aneel Khowaja, MARN 1571699.
Stream-Specific Advice
Your application is prepared according to the government, diplomatic, MATES or PALM pathway involved.
Complex Document Support
We assist with government letters, DFAT documents, employment arrangements, sponsorship and family evidence where relevant.
More Than 11 Years of Experience
Think Higher Consultants has more than 11 years of experience supporting clients with Australian migration and education matters.
Support Throughout the Process
We assist from the initial assessment through application preparation, lodgement and Department requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Subclass 403 visa from inside Australia?
It depends on the stream and the visa you currently hold. Some streams allow applications in or outside Australia, while others have specific location requirements.
Can I change my employer or role on a Subclass 403 visa?
Your work rights are linked to the stream and conditions of your visa. You should not change your employer, role or approved arrangement without checking the immigration requirements first.
Can my family apply after my visa is granted?
This may be possible where the relevant stream allows family members. They must lodge the appropriate subsequent entrant application and meet the applicable requirements.
Does the Subclass 403 visa lead to permanent residence?
No. It is a temporary visa and does not provide an automatic pathway to permanent residence. Eligibility for another visa must be assessed separately.
Subclass 403 Assessment
Get Help With a Subclass 403 Visa
The correct pathway depends on your role, supporting organisation and the international arrangement involved.
Think Higher Consultants can assess your eligibility, review the supporting documents and assist with your Subclass 403 visa application.
Contact Think Higher Consultants for a visa assessment.
Visa requirements, program settings, government charges and processing arrangements can change. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and the rules in place when the application is lodged.