Charges rose: main applicant A$470 for the Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency and Domestic Worker streams.
Visa file / Skilled and work visas
Temporary Work (International Relations) visa 403
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.
In force
File: 403
Main chargeA$470
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
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.
Published 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 you apply from
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. Processing: 50% in 12 days, 90% in 45 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
- 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. Processing: 50% in 50 days, 90% in 4 months (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
- 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. Processing: 50% in 27 days, 90% in 78 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
- 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
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Confirm the stream and support
Identify the agreement, agency or DFAT support behind the role.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks which stream fits and what support letter is needed.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Support letter and contract
Obtain the signatory, agency, school or DFAT letter and, for domestic workers, a lawful employment contract.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks the contract meets Australian workplace law.
- 05
Lodge
Lodge online from the correct location.
Where a registered migration agent can helpLodges and tracks requests, including any interview.
- 06
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 07
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.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans further applications before expiry.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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. Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Government Agreement | 12 days | 45 days |
| Foreign Government Agency | 50 days | 4 months |
| Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) | 27 days | 78 days |
Home Affairs visa processing time guide. Privileges and Immunities: processing times not available. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- 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. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Identity
Support
Other
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
- 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
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.