Temporary Work (International Relations) भिसा
Includes the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream.
What this visa is for#
The Temporary Work (International Relations) visa, subclass 403, is a temporary visa for specific situations linked to Australia’s international relations. It covers several streams set up by legislation and policy, including government agreements, foreign government work, domestic work for some diplomatic or consular staff, and seasonal or regional labour programs.
It also includes the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream. That stream is used within an approved labour mobility framework and has its own program settings, sponsors and employer arrangements.
This is a temporary visa in the business category. In VisaBid’s classification, the stream is listed as Other.
The visa is generally used where the work or activity in Australia exists because of an international arrangement, a government framework, or a program specifically recognised by the Department of Home Affairs. The exact documents, conditions and steps can vary by stream.
Who it is generally for#
This visa is for people who come to Australia under an international agreement or a program connected to Australia’s relations with other countries. That includes people engaged under bilateral arrangements, foreign government agency arrangements, and approved labour mobility programs.
This visa is for people who take part in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility program. It is also for people doing work connected with a foreign government in circumstances recognised under the subclass 403 framework.
This visa is for people who do domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives, where that arrangement fits the stream requirements. It can also cover people involved in privileges and immunities type arrangements or other recognised international relations activities, depending on the stream in force at the time of application.
Each stream has its own purpose, evidence and visa conditions. The stream matters because it affects who can support the application, what records are needed, and what work rights or limits apply.
What it costs#
The government visa application charge for subclass 403 is:
- Main applicant: $405
- Additional applicant 18 or over: $405
- Additional applicant under 18: $102
That government charge is paid to the Department of Home Affairs. It is the same no matter who lodges the application, whether that is the applicant personally, a registered migration agent, or an Australian legal practitioner.
Professional fees are separate. A registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for assessing documents, preparing the application, corresponding with the Department, and helping with follow-up requests. Those charges are not fixed by the government, so quotes can vary depending on the stream, the amount of evidence, the number of applicants and the complexity of the matter.
Other costs can also arise outside the visa application charge. These may include health examinations, police certificates, document translation, passport renewal and certified copies, depending on the stream and the documents involved.
Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, it is sensible to check the current amount on the Department’s website or in any itemised professional quote.
How long it takes#
Processing time for the subclass 403 is not one single figure that fits every application. Timeframes can vary a lot because this visa covers different streams with different checks.
Some applications move faster when the stream is straightforward, the supporting organisation has provided the right documents, and identity, health and character checks are ready early. Others take longer where the Department needs to verify employment arrangements, international agreement details, sponsor records, or family member documents.
Delays are also common where health examinations or police certificates are requested after lodgement instead of being prepared early. If a document expires and has to be replaced during processing, that can add more time.
The Department sometimes publishes indicative processing information, but those figures can change. Actual timing depends on the stream, document quality, application volume and whether the Department asks for more information.
What the process involves#
The process starts with identifying the correct subclass 403 stream under the international relations framework. The stream determines what evidence is required and who needs to support the application, such as an employer, a foreign government body, or another approved organisation.
The application is usually lodged online through ImmiAccount, unless a particular process says otherwise. The applicant enters identity details, travel document details, family information and stream-specific information, then uploads supporting documents and pays the visa application charge.
Core documents usually include a passport, identity records and any stream-specific letters or agreements. Depending on the stream and personal circumstances, the Department may also require health examinations, police clearances, employment documents, relationship documents for family members and evidence about where the work will take place.
After lodgement, the Department may acknowledge the application and later request more information. Requests often come with a deadline, so it is important to monitor ImmiAccount and email carefully.
If the applicant is in Australia when lodging, visa status during processing depends on the person’s current visa and the effect of the new application. A bridging visa may come into effect, but its conditions can be different from the current substantive visa.
When a decision is made, the Department issues it in writing. The notice generally states the grant or refusal outcome, the visa grant number if granted, the visa conditions and the period of stay.
What commonly goes wrong#
A common problem is incomplete evidence. Applications are often delayed because a required stream document is missing, a letter is unsigned, a passport copy is unclear, or family member documents do not match the details entered in the form.
Another frequent issue is using documents that expire during processing. Passports, police certificates and some supporting letters can become outdated. When that happens, the Department may ask for fresh documents, which can slow the application down.
Applicants also run into trouble when they do not tell the Department about changes after lodgement. A new address, new passport, changed email, changed employer contact, marriage, separation or the birth of a child can affect records and correspondence. If the Department sends a request to an old email address or postal address, deadlines can be missed.
Health and character checks can also create delays. Some applicants wait for the Department to ask before starting, while others discover that a required police certificate takes longer than expected to obtain. That gap can hold up a decision.
Problems also arise where names, dates of birth or passport numbers are inconsistent across documents. Even small differences in spelling or date format can trigger follow-up questions. It is much easier when every record matches the form and the uploaded documents.
For family applications, relationship evidence can be overlooked. If a spouse, de facto partner or child is included, the Department may need documents that prove the relationship and identity links between all applicants. Missing birth certificates, marriage records or custody-related documents can stop an application from moving smoothly.
Another practical mistake is assuming a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa held before lodgement. It may not. Work rights, travel rights and expiry settings can be different, and travel can affect whether a bridging visa remains useful for re-entry.
It is also common for applicants to upload documents to ImmiAccount but not check whether they are legible and correctly attached. A file can be upside down, cut off, password-protected, translated incompletely or uploaded under the wrong category. Those small technical issues often lead to requests for replacement documents.
Finally, timing can go wrong where employment or program start dates are fixed too tightly. If flights, accommodation or work arrangements are locked in before the visa is decided, any delay can create practical and financial pressure. Visa processing does not always match planned travel dates.
Frequently asked questions#
What is the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa 403?#
The subclass 403 is a temporary visa for specific work and activity arrangements linked to Australia’s international relations. It includes several streams, including the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream.
How much does the 403 visa cost?#
The government visa application charge is $405 for the main applicant, $405 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $102 for each additional applicant under 18. Professional fees for a registered migration agent or lawyer are separate, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges it.
Does the 403 visa include the PALM program?#
Yes. The subclass 403 includes the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, PALM, stream. That stream operates within an approved labour mobility program and uses its own supporting arrangements and documents.
Can family members be included in a 403 visa application?#
In some cases, family members can be included as additional applicants, which is why there are separate charges for adults and children. Whether a family member can be included, and what evidence is required, depends on the stream and the application setup.
How long does a 403 visa take to process?#
There is no single processing time for all subclass 403 applications. Timing depends on the stream, the quality of the documents lodged, whether health or police checks are needed, and whether the Department asks for more information.
About this page. This is general information about how the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.