UPDATE: SBS Hindi reported in October 2016 that Australian government will be introducing 4 new work visas.
This new Temporary Activity Visa Framework that commenced on 19 November 2016 has reduced seven visa subclasses to four, as part of a move to a fairer and more efficient visa system.
Assistant Secretary, Planning, Design & Assurance, Michael Burke, said applying for the Temporary Activity visa online would now be simpler for sponsors and applicants.
“The changes reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by streamlining sponsorship requirements and removing the nomination stage for a range of activities,” Mr Burke said.
Seven existing visa subclasses have been reduced to four:
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Subclass 400) visa
- International Relations (Subclass 403) visa
- Training visa (Subclass 407) and
- Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa.
Full details below:
The Australian Government has proposed new temporary activity visa framework which it plans to implement from 19th November 2016, subject to approval by the Governor-General.
From 19 November 2016, there would be four new visa sub classes:
- Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
- Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
- Subclass 407 Training visa
- Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa.
The new framework is designed to make applying for a temporary visa easier. It would reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by removing sponsorship and nomination requirements for specific short stay activities.
This means, applicants will be:
- able to lodge visa applications online through
- a single sponsorship (temporary activities sponsor) would replace six existing sponsorship types (long stay activity, training and research, professional development, entertainment, special programme and superyacht crew)
On 19 November 2016, the new visa subclasses would allow applicants to enter Australia for temporary work or a specified activity.
Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:
- undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
- in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.
Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis:
- in relation to a bilateral agreement
- to represent a foreign government or to teach a foreign language in an Australian school
- to undertake full-time domestic work for a diplomat
- as a person with statutory privileges and immunities
- to participate in the Seasonal Worker Programme.
Subclass 407 Training visa
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake occupational training or participate in classroom based professional development activities.
Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:
- work in the entertainment industry
- participate in a non-ongoing cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
- observe or participate as an academic in a research project
- undertake full-time religious work
- participate in a special programme to enhance international relations and cultural exchange
- participate in high-level sports (including training)
- work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
- participate in an Australian government endorsed event
- work as a superyacht crew member
- undertake full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives.
The following diagram shows the proposed new temporary activity visa framework in more detail.
Temporary activity visa framework changes Source: DIBP
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