Temporary Activity visa - Staff Exchange Arrangements (Subclass 408)

AustraliaCulture, faith and volunteering

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

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What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

Subtype: MIXED/OTHER (professional staff exchange). The qualifying activity is working in a skilled position in Australia as part of a reciprocal staff exchange arrangement with an eligible Australian organisation, swapping places with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

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Overview tab
This visa lets you come to Australia as part of a staff exchange with an Australian organisation.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have the skills and experience to exchange jobs with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Eligibility tab — Take part in a reciprocal staff exchange
You must intend to work in a skilled position as part of a reciprocal staff exchange arrangement with an eligible organisation in Australia.

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

The host is the eligible Australian organisation party to a written exchange agreement with the applicant's own organisation, which must set out the staff involved, the skilled positions to be filled, and the exchange's duration. Depending on the applicant's circumstances, the visa also requires either a supporter (applying from outside Australia, intending to stay under 3 months) or a temporary activities sponsor (applying in Australia, or from outside Australia intending to stay over 3 months).

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Take part in a reciprocal staff exchange
There must be a written agreement between your organisation and the organisation in Australia that sets out: the staff in Australia and overseas who will take part in the exchange the skilled positions to be filled by the participants how long the exchange will last
Eligibility tab — Have a supporter or a sponsor
You need a sponsor who is a temporary activities sponsor to apply for this visa if you: apply in Australia, or apply outside Australia and intend to stay for more than 3 months in Australia
Eligibility tab — Have a supporter or a sponsor
You don't need a sponsor to apply for this visa if you: apply outside Australia, and intend to stay in Australia for less than 3 months

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

Proof centres on the written exchange agreement itself, evidence of the necessary skills or experience to perform the specific skilled position set out in that agreement, and that the arrangement benefits both the applicant and the Australian citizen or permanent resident taking part in the exchange.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Have the necessary skills and experience for the position
You must have the necessary skills or experience to perform the skilled position set out in the exchange agreement.
Eligibility tab — Benefit from the exchange
The exchange arrangement must benefit both you and the Australian citizen or permanent resident taking part.

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 specify the wage or payment arrangements for the exchanged skilled position, nor whether the holder may undertake other work beyond the exchange role.

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Limits of the record

The page does not specify wage or payment arrangements for the exchanged skilled position, nor whether the holder can undertake other work beyond the exchange role.

Eligibility tab — Be able to support yourself and any dependants
You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Australia and any dependent family members who travel to Australia with you.

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 stay in Australia for up to 2 years 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.

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Overview tab — Stay
Up to 2 years
Overview tab — With this visa you can
Stay in Australia for up to 2 years with members of the family unit
Eligibility tab — Be a genuine temporary entrant
We generally do not let temporary residents extend their stay in Australia beyond 4 years by applying for this visa.

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

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Temporary Activity visa - Staff Exchange Arrangements (Subclass 408)

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

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

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

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

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

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.