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Temporary Activity visa - Special Program stream (Subclass 408)

AustraliaCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

The qualifying activity is taking part in an approved special programme whose main purpose is cultural exchange — sharing cultural and social experiences and knowledge. There are 4 recognised programme types: cultural enrichment or community benefit programmes, youth exchange programmes, school language assistance programmes, and school-to-school interchange programmes.

See recorded sources
  • Overview tab
    This visa lets you stay in Australia to take part in an approved special program.
  • Eligibility tab — Take part in an approved special program
    You must be travelling to Australia to take part in an approved special program. There are 4 types of special programs: cultural enrichment or community benefit programs youth exchange programs school language assistance programs school-to-school interchange programs
  • Eligibility tab — Be here for cultural exchange
    The main purpose of the program you take part in should be cultural exchange. You should be here to share cultural and social experiences and knowledge by taking part in the program.

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, the visa requires either a supporter (applicants applying from outside Australia and intending to stay under 3 months) or a sponsor (applicants applying in Australia, or applying from outside Australia intending to stay over 3 months). The page does not name or describe the specific body that approves the special programme itself.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not identify or describe the specific body or organisation that approves a 'special program' beyond requiring it to be an 'approved special program'.

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

Proof centres on the invitation to participate in an approved special programme of one of the 4 recognised types, together with meeting the age band set for that specific programme type: 18 or over for cultural enrichment/community benefit programmes, 18 to 30 for school language assistance and youth exchange programmes, and 17 to 25 for school-to-school interchange programmes.

See recorded sources

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

The applicant must have enough money to support themselves and any accompanying dependants during the stay. The page does not state whether participants may receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement through the programme, nor whether they may undertake other work.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not describe whether participants can receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement, or whether they can undertake other work during this visa.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

Holders and accompanying family unit members can usually stay in Australia for up to 12 months per grant. This is a genuine-temporary-entrant visa, not intended for ongoing residency, and Home Affairs generally does not let temporary residents extend their stay in Australia beyond a total of 4 years by using this visa. The official source does not state whether the holder can change host.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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