Temporary Activity (408)

The Temporary Activity visa has several streams for specialist short-term work in Australia. The applicant must be supported or sponsored by an approved individual or organisation and have the skills to undertake the activity to be carried out in Australia. This visa can be granted for 3 months for applicants invited by an organisation to participate in a specific event, for 4 years if the applicant is participating in Australian government activities or 2 years for all other activities.

There are ten different streams under which an applicant may qualify for a Temporary Activity visa:

• Entertainment Industry Work on film, television or live productions as a performer, production or support staff
• An International Staff Exchange with a related business overseas
• Religious Work
• Special Program
• Sports Related Activities, including playing, coaching, instruction or adjudicating for an Australian team, or providing high level sports training with a sporting organisation
• Research activities at an Australian tertiary institution
• Superyacht Crew
• Domestic Worker (for Executive)
• Australian Government Endorsed Event
• A youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community program, acting as a school language assistant or undertaking “gap year” school volunteering

Please contact us more information based your situation and requirements. We will be pleased to assess your circumstances and prepare and lodge a visa application that best matches your needs.

Religious Worker (2 year visa duration) For applicants who wish to undertake full-time religious work in Australia that directly serves the religious objectives of a religious institution. Religious work is defined as work of a religious nature for which you have had relevant religious training (and does not include secular activities such as administration or aged care. If you intend to stay in Australia for more than three months the religious institution sponsoring your application must meet the sponsorship test, which requires it to be formally approved as a sponsor, and to agree in writing to sponsor your visa application. If you are outside Australia, and you intend to stay in Australia for 3 months or less, then you do not need to be sponsored for this visa. Instead, the religious institution must meet the ‘support test’, which requires it to supply a letter inviting you to undertake the relevant work. The religious institution seeking to sponsor or support your application must: be lawfully operating in Australia be endorsed as a charity by the Australian Tax Office have objectives and conduct activities that reflect its religious purpose, with its members having beliefs and practices that constitute a religion (due to belief in a supernatural being, thing or principle, and acceptance of canons of conduct that give effect to that belief) have a good business record and abide by Australian laws. As the visa applicant, you must: genuinely intend to undertake full-time religious work that: is predominately non-profit in nature directly serves the religious institution’s religious objectives have the relevant experience and/or qualifications required to perform this religious work be able to support yourself financially during your stay in Australia have made adequate arrangements for health insurance during your stay in Australia meet the relevant health and character requirements

Alternative Visa Options (Religious Work)

Volunteers – those at the start of a religious life who want to volunteer in a religious institution before undertaking formal religious training or tertiary study may be eligible for the Special Program Stream – Temporary Activity (408) visa.

Training and Study – those with at least 12 months of work experience, study or training in a religious field, who want to undertake a formal religious training program, may be eligible for a Training visa (407).

Students – those undertaking a full-time CRICOS university courses may be eligible for a Student visa (500).

Short Stay (less than 3 months) – to attend a religious event, attend meetings, lecture or speak at religious rallies or participate in a retreat or short training course may be eligible under the Social and Cultural Activities Short Stay visa.

Working Holiday visa (417) and Work & Holiday visa (462) – those between the age of 18 and 30 (35 for certain passport holders) who hold a relevant passport may be eligible for a 12 month visa for the purpose of work and tourism.

Labour Agreement – entry of Ministers of Religion (ANZSCO 272211) and Religious Assistants (ANZSCO 451816) under an industry specific labour agreement may be suitable if an agreement is in place between the religious organisation and Commonwealth.

Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MORLA) General Requirements:

Minister of Religion must:

• have been ‘ordained’ or have ‘professed to a religious life’ as a Minister of Religion (or under an equivalent accreditation process within a religion); and
• possess the minimum qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree; or
• have undertaken at least five years of relevant structured training or instruction (experience is not a substitute for this requirement)
• Functional English
• No age requirement for temporary visa
• 60 age requirement for permanent visa

Religious Assistants must:

• possess the relevant qualifications equivalent to an Australian Certificate II or III; or
• have at least two years of relevant experience as substitute for the formal qualifications listed above
• Functional English
• No age requirement for temporary visa
• 60 age requirement for permanent visa

Both a temporary (482) and permanent (186) (after a transitional period of three years) pathway is provided for under this agreement.