Skilled · Subclass 403
Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
Work under government agreements, for foreign government agencies, as a domestic worker for a diplomat, or with privileges and immunities. MATES and PALM are separate guides.
Who it is for
People coming to work in Australia in roles linked to Australia's international relations. Streams covered here: Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency, Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) and Privileges and Immunities. The MATES and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility streams have their own guides.
Key eligibility
- Government Agreement: engaged under a bilateral agreement between an Australian government and a foreign government, with the support of both signatories; licensing or registration met; the work benefits Australia. No sponsor needed.
- Foreign Government Agency: a letter of support from a foreign government agency, foreign national government or recognised international organisation; foreign language teachers also need support from an Australian school or education authority.
- Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular): aged 18 or over, a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a contract that meets Australian workplace law, full-time domestic work in the household of a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995) holder, and an interview.
- Privileges and Immunities: hold, or expect to hold, privileges and immunities under the relevant Acts, with a DFAT letter recommending the grant.
- Enough money to support yourself and any family; health, character and a genuine temporary stay.
- If applying in Australia, hold (or recently have held) a temporary substantive visa other than a Domestic Worker stream 403, a Transit visa or a Special Purpose visa (Government Agreement: within 28 days; Foreign Government Agency and Privileges and Immunities: within 12 months).
Where to apply, and bridging visas
Government Agreement and Privileges and Immunities: in or outside Australia. Foreign Government Agency: in or outside Australia, not in immigration clearance. Domestic Worker: first visa outside Australia; a further Domestic Worker visa can be lodged in Australia (not in immigration clearance).
Streams
Government Agreement
Work under a bilateral government agreement. Stay: As in the grant notice, up to 4 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 12 days, 90% in 45 days (read 22 October 2026).
Foreign Government Agency
Representatives of foreign government agencies without official status, and foreign language teachers employed by a foreign government in an Australian school. Stay: As in the grant notice, up to 4 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 50 days, 90% in 4 months (read 22 October 2026).
Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular)
Full-time domestic workers in the household of a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa holder. Family cannot be included. Stay: Up to 12 months on the first visa; further visas as in the DFAT support letter. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 27 days, 90% in 78 days (read 22 October 2026).
Privileges and Immunities
International representatives with privileges and immunities, supported by DFAT. Stay: As in the grant letter, usually while you remain an international representative. Home Affairs stream page
Your journey, step by step
First enquiry
You tell us your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent identifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
Confirm the stream and support
Identify the agreement, agency or DFAT support behind the role.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks which stream fits and what support letter is needed.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Support letter and contract
Obtain the signatory, agency, school or DFAT letter and, for domestic workers, a lawful employment contract.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks the contract meets Australian workplace law.
Lodge
Lodge online from the correct location.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent lodges and tracks requests, including any interview.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Grant and stay
Work only as allowed by the stream. A further 403 in the same stream is possible where you still meet the criteria.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent plans further applications before expiry.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Government Agreement and Foreign Government Agency, main applicant | A$470 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$470 |
| Family member under 18 | A$120 |
| Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular), main applicant | A$470 |
| Privileges and Immunities | Nil |
The charge may be nil for holders of a diplomatic, official or service passport with a third person note of support from their government. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs visa processing time guide, read 22 October 2026. Privileges and Immunities: processing times not available.. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- No valid support letter from the signatories, agency or DFAT.
- The role does not benefit Australia or does not fit the stream.
- Domestic worker contract below Australian legal standards.
- Applying in Australia on an excluded visa.
- Doubts about a genuine temporary stay.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
Charges rose: main applicant A$470 for the Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency and Domestic Worker streams.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)
- Home Affairs: Government Agreement stream
- Home Affairs: Foreign Government Agency stream
- Home Affairs: Domestic Worker stream
- Home Affairs: Privileges and Immunities stream
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.