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The Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (Subclass 403) allows individuals to travel to Australia to undertake work that supports international relations, diplomatic arrangements, and government cooperation. This visa is typically used by foreign government representatives, staff working under bilateral agreements, and individuals performing official duties connected to international organisations or diplomatic missions.

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The Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (Subclass 403) is a temporary visa designed for people who intend to work in Australia under specific international agreements or arrangements involving governments and international organisations.
The visa is commonly used for roles associated with diplomatic missions, foreign government agencies, or programs established under formal agreements between Australia and other countries. It enables individuals to live and work in Australia for a limited period while carrying out duties connected to international cooperation.
The Subclass 403 visa is administered by the Department of Home Affairs, which assesses whether applicants meet the requirements of the relevant stream.
The Subclass 403 visa contains several streams designed to accommodate different types of international relations arrangements.
The Government Agreement stream is used by individuals coming to Australia under a formal agreement between the Australian Government and another government or international organisation.
These agreements may involve programs relating to development assistance, training programs, government cooperation initiatives, or specialised projects that require foreign personnel to work in Australia.
Applicants must be sponsored or supported by the relevant government authority participating in the agreement.
The Foreign Government Agency stream is intended for representatives of foreign governments who need to work in Australia for official purposes.
This stream may apply to individuals working at foreign embassies, consulates, or government trade offices in Australia.
Applicants must demonstrate that they are employed by a foreign government and that their role in Australia relates to official government duties.
The Domestic Worker stream is designed for domestic workers employed by certain foreign government officials or diplomats temporarily stationed in Australia.
This stream allows domestic workers to accompany diplomatic staff and work in a private household during the official assignment.
Strict employment and wage conditions apply to ensure that workers are treated fairly and in accordance with Australian workplace standards.
The Privileges and Immunities stream applies to individuals who are entitled to privileges and immunities under Australian law due to their association with international organisations.
This may include employees or representatives of international bodies that operate in Australia and are granted special legal status under legislation such as the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963.
Applicants must demonstrate that their role qualifies for these privileges.
Depending on international arrangements in place at the time, additional related streams may be available under the Subclass 403 visa. These may cover specialised government programs or international cooperation initiatives established between Australia and other countries.
Applicants must apply under the stream that best matches the nature of their work and the relevant agreement governing their assignment.
The Subclass 403 visa offers several advantages for individuals undertaking official international roles in Australia.
Key benefits include:
The ability to live and work temporarily in Australia
Participation in government cooperation programs or diplomatic assignments
Eligibility for family members to accompany the visa holder in many cases
Flexibility tailored to specific international agreements or diplomatic arrangements
The exact benefits and visa duration depend on the specific stream and the nature of the assignment.
Applicants must meet both general visa requirements and stream-specific eligibility criteria.
Common requirements for most applicants include:
Applicants must also genuinely intend to stay in Australia only for the duration permitted by the visa.
Each stream of the Subclass 403 visa has additional requirements.
Examples include:
The Department of Home Affairs will assess the supporting documentation to confirm that the applicant meets the requirements of the selected stream.
Applicants must provide documents demonstrating their eligibility for the visa. These typically include:
Additional documentation may be required depending on the specific stream.
Applications for the Subclass 403 visa are generally lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs using the ImmiAccount system.
The application must be lodged under the correct visa stream with all required supporting documents.
The general application process involves the following steps:
Create an ImmiAccount.
Select the appropriate Subclass 403 visa stream.
Upload supporting documentation.
Pay the applicable visa application charge (if required).
Await the Department of Home Affairs decision.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional documents or attend health examinations during the assessment process.
The duration of a Subclass 403 visa depends on the stream and the specific international arrangement.
In many cases, the visa is granted for the length of the official assignment or agreement, which may range from several months to several years.
Visa holders must comply with all visa conditions, including:
Working only in the role specified in the visa
Complying with Australian laws
Leaving Australia before the visa expires unless another visa is granted
Visa application charges for the Subclass 403 visa vary depending on the stream. Some streams may not require a government application charge, while others do.
Additional costs may include:
Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and the visa stream selected.
In many cases, Subclass 403 visa applicants may include certain family members in their visa application.
Eligible dependants may include:
A spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Family members must meet relevant health and character requirements and may receive visas linked to the duration of the primary applicant’s visa.
Once the Subclass 403 visa is granted, the visa holder can travel to Australia and begin performing the duties associated with their international assignment.
Visa holders must ensure they comply with all visa conditions and maintain their eligibility under the relevant international agreement or employment arrangement.
If the assignment ends earlier than expected, the visa holder may need to leave Australia or apply for another visa if they wish to remain lawfully.
The Subclass 403 visa can involve complex eligibility requirements, particularly where international agreements, diplomatic arrangements, or government programs are involved.
Australian Migration Lawyers assist applicants by:
Professional legal guidance can help ensure that applications are prepared correctly and processed efficiently.




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The primary streams include the Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency, Domestic Worker, and Privileges and Immunities streams, along with other related streams depending on international arrangements.
Visa application charges vary depending on the visa stream. Additional costs may apply for health checks, police certificates, and document preparation.
The duration of the Subclass 403 visa depends on the visa stream and the relevant international assignment. Many visas are granted for the duration of the official role or agreement.
Applications are generally submitted online through ImmiAccount via the Department of Home Affairs website.
Yes. In many cases, applicants can include their spouse or partner and dependent children in the visa application.
Yes. Subclass 403 visa holders must work only in the role and for the organisation specified in their visa conditions and must comply with Australian laws during their stay.

Perry Q Wood is Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia’s leading administrative, immigration and human rights lawyers.
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