Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) · Work and skilled visas · Stream of Temporary Activity visa
Religious Work stream
Specific short-term activities: entertainment, sport, religious work, research, special programmes and government-endorsed events. How long you get depends on the activity.
This visa lets you do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia. You and your family who apply for the visa with you can stay here for up to 2 years.
- Stay
Up to 2 years
- Government charge
From AUD535.00
- Visa type
Temporary
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Reading asFor Applicants
Overview
Stay
Up to 2 years
Government charge
From AUD535.00
Exemptions may apply in limited circumstances, for more information, see About this visa.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
With this visa, you can
- do full-time religious work to serve a religious institution in Australia
- stay in Australia for up to 2 years with members of the family unit
- apply for the visa in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
You must
- have an agreement to work full time for a religious institution in Australia
- be supported or sponsored depending on your circumstances
- apply online
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
About this visa
With this visa, you can
- do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
- include members of the family unit in your visa application
The work you do must directly serve the religious aims of a religious institution in Australia. You can't do secular work, like administration or aged care, for the institution.
Religious work could include:
- providing spiritual leadership
- conducting worship
- teaching or offering guidance on religion
- providing pastoral care
- proselytising
- other high-level specialist work relating to these things
How long you can stay
This is a temporary visa. We grant the length of stay based on the activity we approve you to do on the visa.
The maximum stay for this visa stream is 2 years.
The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
If you are overseas when the visa is granted, the visa stay period starts on the day that you enter Australia. If you are in Australia, the visa starts on the day that it is granted.
Your visa grant letter will tell you how long you can stay.
Stay longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa.
As a religious worker, you can apply for a second Temporary Activity visa. But you can't stay in Australia for more than 4 years in total on the first and second visa.
Include family
Cost
The visa costs AUD535.00 for the main applicant.
There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.
Cost for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.
We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants by the valid passport from the specified countries used in the application when they apply.
Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- you don't fill it in correctly
- you don't include all the documents we need, or we need more information from you
- it takes us time to verify your information
We can't process your application if you don't pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
Your obligations
You and your family must meet all visa conditions and follow Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
Your activities must not harm the work, training or work conditions of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
If you stop working for your sponsoring or supporting organisation, you may no longer be eligible to hold this visa. If this happens you must:
- if eligible, apply for a new visa, or
- leave Australia within 28 days of stopping work for your sponsor/supporter, or earlier if your visa is expiring
Travel
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
If we grant you a visa, we will send you a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number. You can use this number to access your digital visa record.
Eligibility
Have a suitable employment contract
You must have an agreement to work full time as a religious worker with a religious institution.
Your wages and employment conditions must meet the necessary standards under the relevant Australian legislation and awards.
Have a supporter or a sponsor
Your sponsor or supporter must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations.
For us to consider them a religious institution, they must:
- be endorsed to receive income tax exemptions, as a charity, by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- have activities that reflect that it is a body instituted for the promotion of a religious object
- have beliefs and practices that constitute a religion.
You must submit your visa application and include details of your sponsor or supporter.
Your sponsor or supporter cannot be operating as a Trust. In these cases, the Trustee of the Trust may be eligible to be your sponsor or supporter.
The ATO must endorse your sponsor or supporter to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.
If a Trust has obtained charitable status or income tax exemptions, this does not extend to the Trustee. We cannot accept this.
You need a supporter
You don't need a sponsor to apply for this visa if you:
- apply outside Australia, and
- intend to stay for less than 3 months in Australia
However, you must have a supporter who passes the support test to apply for this visa.
You need 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
Have the right experience or qualifications for the work
You must have the appropriate experience and qualifications to do the religious work that is in your agreement.
Be able to support yourself and any dependants
You must have enough money during your stay in Australia to support yourself and any dependent family members who travel to Australia with you.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Have adequate health insurance
You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.
You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. Your cover should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.
See what we consider adequate health insurance.
See more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Be a genuine temporary entrant
You can't use our temporary visa program to maintain ongoing residency in Australia.
The genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement helps us to make sure that you use temporary visas correctly.
We generally do not let temporary residents extend their stay in Australia beyond 4 years by applying for this visa.
We must be satisfied that you have a genuine intention to stay here temporarily.
When assessing your application, we will consider:
- your situation
- your immigration history
- previous compliance with visa conditions
- any other relevant matter
Have this visa
If you are in Australia, you can only apply for this visa if:
- you currently hold a substantive visa, or
- your last substantive visa ceased within the last 28 days.
Have paid back debt to the Australian Government
If you owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back or have a formal arrangement to pay it back.
Have consent to be granted the visa
We will only grant this visa to a child younger than 18 years if everyone who has parental responsibility for them has consented to us granting it.
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Declare you have not paid for visa sponsorship
When you apply for the visa, you must declare if you have ever engaged in conduct that could constitute a breach of the prohibition on paying for visa sponsorship.
Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application. If you have had a visa cancelled or refused, you might not be eligible for this visa.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused. See Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.
If you need help with immigration, see Who can help with your visa application.
Sign the Australian Values Statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must acknowledge the Australian Values Statement. This confirms that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you apply for the visa. Learn more about Australian Values.
Step by step
1Before you apply
You must have an eligible sponsor or supporter. Let us know if you are getting help with your application.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
2Gather your documents
Provide evidence to support your application, including sponsor or supporter documents.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Identity documents
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Sponsor documents
If you are being sponsored for the visa, provide evidence your sponsor:
- is an approved temporary activities sponsor
- is a religious organisation that operates lawfully in Australia
- has been endorsed as a charity by the Australian Tax Office
- will meet their obligations to you and anyone who applies for the visa with you
And that:
- the organisation's objectives and activities promote a religious aim
- its members' beliefs and practices constitute a religion
Supporter documents
Provide evidence your supporter:
- is an approved temporary activities sponsor
- is a religious organisation that operates lawfully in Australia
- has been endorsed as a charity by the Australian Tax Office
- will meet their obligations to you and anyone who applies for the visa with you
And that:
- the organisation's objectives and activities promote a religious aim
- its members' beliefs and practices constitute a religion
Also provide your supporter's letter of support.
Work documents
Provide evidence that:
- you have been engaged to work full time
- the work needs to be done by a religious worker, not just someone who believes in the religion
- your duties will directly support the organisation's religious objectives
- you have the appropriate experience and qualifications for the work you want to do in Australia
- your contract with the sponsoring institution states what you will be paid and any other support you will get
Financial documents
Show us you can support yourself and anyone who comes to Australia on the visa with you by providing:
- an employment contract or bank statements, or
- evidence of your financial position from your bank or financial institution
We can also consider allowances, accommodation and other help from your employer or your religious community
Character documents
We will tell you if and when you need to get a police certificate.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Partner documents
Provide:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you
Dependants under 18 documents
Provide your partner's:
- identity documents
- character documents
- marriage certificate
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
For de facto relationships provide either:
- evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
For both married and de facto applicants you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you
Dependants over 18 documents
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
You must also provide proof the child is dependent on you.
- proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of financial dependency such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
- if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
3Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa online. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Apply online
- Create or log in to ImmiAccount.
- Attach documents.
- Submit family applications together.
- Pay the application fee.
We will not process your application until you pay the fee.
You must pay the fee and attach documents for all family members who apply.
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application. See what you can and must do after apply.
Status updates
We can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.
You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount .
Travel
If you are in Australia, you don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when we make a decision.
But if you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.
Learn about visa expiry.
Health exams
If you didn't have health examinations before you applied, we will let you know if you need them. Check ImmiAccount.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information.
Stay lawful
If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
If you were in Australia when you applied for this visa, you may be granted:
- a Bridging visa A (BVA) if you held a substantive visa when you applied
- a Bridging visa C (BVC) if you did not hold a substantive visa when you applied
If your current visa expires before we decide your application, the bridging visa will come into effect. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your visa application. You can't re-enter Australia on a BVA or BVC - there is no right of return on these visas and they will cease on departure.
Learn more about visa expiry.
Check what conditions might apply to your bridging visa or the visa you have applied for with our condition checker.
Add family
You cannot add members of the family unit to your application after you have applied. If you do not include them in your application, your family members must apply separately.
To apply separately, your family members need to complete an application for a Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.
Subsequent entrants
If we grant you the visa, your family members can apply to join you in Australia as a subsequent entrant.
To apply as a subsequent entrant, your family members need to complete an application for a Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.
Newborn children
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers and attach it in ImmiAccount.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when we decide on your visa application.
We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions, if applicable
Keep a copy of the decision.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
Coming to Australia
Before you travel
Check your travel documents
You must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document.
At the border
Completing an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving in Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will be given this card onboard.
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use a SmartGate.
In Australia
What you can do when you have this visa
- do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
The work you do must directly serve the religious aims of a religious institution in Australia. You can't do secular work, like administration or aged care, for the institution.
To see your specific conditions and work entitlements use VEVO.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See your conditions in VEVO.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child.
If you stop doing the activity for the organisation that you were supported or sponsored by, you may no longer be eligible to hold this visa. If this happens, you can:
- if eligible, apply for a new visa; or
- leave Australia within 28 days of stopping work for your sponsor/supporter, or earlier if your visa is expiring
See how to tell us if there is a change in your situation.
See how long you can stay
The visa stay period starts on the date you enter Australia.
You can check your visa stay period in your visa grant letter or use VEVO.
To see when you must leave, use VEVO.
Staying longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.
The period of stay in Australia for a religious work on the Temporary Activity visa is limited to a total of 4 years.
Travelling on your visa
You must make your first entry to Australia by the date specified in the visa grant letter. This is the Must not arrive after date.
Once you make your first entry to Australia your Visa stay period starts. Your Visa stay period is the length of time you can stay in Australia.
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want during your Visa stay period while the visa is valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa. The visa stay period does not start again each time you enter Australia. Any time you spend outside of Australia counts as part of the stay period.
See your conditions in VEVO.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
Working
To see your conditions for work, use VEVO.
If you have permission to work, you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Bringing family
Family members you declared on your visa application who did not apply for the visa with you might be eligible to apply for a subsequent entrant visa.
Apply for a subsequent entrant visa using the Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent Entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
Ensure your visa is still valid.
See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.
At the border
Departures SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Getting your superannuation
You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and you are:
- aged 18 years or older
- paid AUD450 or more before tax in a month.
See how to access your super.
Proving you have been to Australia
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia request your international movement records.
Reading asFor Sponsors
Overview
Stay
This is a temporary visa. The applicant can be granted a period of stay in Australia of up to 2 years.
Government charge
AUD420.00 to become a temporary activities sponsor.
There is no cost to sponsor someone for the visa after you are approved.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
With this visa the applicant can
- do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid
- include members of the family unit in their application
You must
- be a religious institution with charity status
- be able to meet your supporter or sponsor obligations
About this visa
Scope
You can support or sponsor an applicant, and any family members who apply for the visa with them, to do full-time religious work in Australia.
To sponsor or support an applicant for this visa stream your organisation must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations. You must give evidence of your charitable status.
For us to consider you a religious institution:
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) must endorse your organisation to receive income tax exemptions, as a charity
- your organisation’s activities must reflect that it is a body instituted for the promotion of a religious object
- your organisation's beliefs and practices must constitute a religion.
If your organisation operates under a Trust arrangement, the Trustee of the Trust (as listed on the trust deed) must apply for and be approved as a Temporary Activities Sponsor.
The Trustee must meet all requirements on their own for us to approve them as a sponsor. This includes having ATO endorsement to receive income tax exemptions as a charity. Charity status and income tax exemptions held by the Trust do not extend to the Trustee. We cannot accept these.
If you are sponsoring a Religious Assistant or Minister of Religion, you may be eligible to employ them under the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) Labour Agreement stream. For more information see the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA).
Applicants who need a supporter
Applicants for this visa don't need a sponsor if they:
- apply outside Australia, and
- intend to stay in Australia for less than 3 months.
These applicants need a supporter.
Applicants who need a sponsor
Applicants for this visa need a sponsor if they:
- apply in Australia, or
- apply outside Australia and intend to stay in Australia for more than 3 months.
To sponsor an applicant for this visa you must be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.
Cost
It costs AUD420.00 to apply to become an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.
There is no cost to sponsor someone for the visa after you are approved as a temporary activities sponsor
There is no cost to support a visa applicant.
How long sponsorship lasts
Your sponsorship normally lasts for 5 years.
Sponsor obligations
You must meet your obligations as a Temporary Activities Sponsor.
Your sponsorship obligations may last for a different period as specified by legislation. Learn more about your sponsorship obligations.
You are responsible for meeting these obligations even if you appoint someone, such as a migration agent, to act for you.
Eligibility
Support or sponsor an applicant
Applicants who need a supporter
Applicants for this visa don't need a sponsor if they:
- apply outside Australia, and
- intend to stay in Australia for less than 3 months
These applicants need a supporter. See more about supporter eligibility below.
Applicants who need a sponsor
Applicants for this visa need a sponsor if they:
- apply in Australia, or
- apply outside Australia and intend to stay in Australia for more than 3 months
See more about sponsor eligibility below.
Supporter eligibility
Meet the support test
To meet the support test:
- a letter of support, on your organisation's letterhead needs to be provided
- we must not be aware of any adverse information about you or anyone associated with you that would affect your suitability as a supporter
The letter of support must identify:
- the visa applicant and members of their family unit applying for the visa
- the work the applicant will take do
- what the applicant's duties will be
- when and where the applicant will be working
You don't need to submit an application to be a supporter.
Be a certain kind of organisation
To support an applicant for this visa your organisation must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations.
For us to consider you a religious institution:
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) must endorse your organisation to receive income tax exemptions, as a charity
- your organisation’s activities must reflect that it is a body instituted for the promotion of a religious object
- your organisation's beliefs and practices must constitute a religion.
If your organisation operates under a Trust arrangement, the Trustee of the Trust (as listed on the trust deed) must be the supporter on the Religious Work stream visa application.
You must submit your application for the visa using the registered name and ABN/ACN of the Trustee of the Trust, as the supporting organisation. You must provide a copy of the trust deed that shows us the details of the Trustee.
The Trustee must meet all requirements on their own. Charity status and income tax exemptions held by the Trust do not extend to the Trustee.
Sponsor eligibility
Meet the sponsorship test
You must be an approved temporary activities sponsor to sponsor an applicant for this visa.
You must meet the sponsorship test to sponsor a visa applicant. You must:
- be an approved sponsor
- agree in writing to sponsor the visa applicant and members of their family unit applying for the same visa
- not withdraw that agreement to sponsor the visa applicant and members of their family unit or cease to sponsor the applicant and members of their family unit
We must not know anything adverse about you, or a person or organisation associated with you, unless we can reasonably disregard it.
Be a certain kind of organisation
To sponsor an applicant for this visa your organisation must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations.
For us to consider you a religious institution:
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) must endorse your organisation to receive income tax exemptions, as a charity
- your organisation’s activities must reflect that it is a body instituted for the promotion of a religious object
- your organisation's beliefs and practices must constitute a religion.
Organisations registered as a Trust cannot be a Temporary Activities Sponsor. In these cases, the Trustee of the Trust must be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.
The Trustee must meet all requirements on their own. Charity status and income tax exemptions held by the Trust do not extend to the Trustee.
Step by step
1Before the applicant applies for the visa
Sponsors
If the applicant needs a sponsor, you must be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor, or have submitted an application for approval as one.
Go to step 2 to see what documents you need to provide to the applicant to submit with their visa application.
Supporters
Visa applicants who apply from outside Australia and intend to stay less than 3 months don't need a sponsor, but must have a supporter who meets the support test.
Go to step 2 to see what documents you need to provide to the applicant to submit with their visa application. You don't need to apply to become a supporter.
2Provide documents
Provide the visa applicant with evidence to support their visa application. They must submit these documents when they apply.
The documents you need to provide will depend on whether you are the applicant's sponsor or supporter.
Sponsor documents
Evidence we have approved you as a Temporary Activities Sponsor or evidence of a lodged application for sponsorship
Provide the applicant with:
- your temporary activities sponsorship approval letter, or
- evidence you have applied to be a temporary activities sponsor, such as your application ID or transaction reference number (TRN)
- a letter that you agree to accept the sponsor obligations for the applicant and any family members included in the visa application
Evidence you are a religious institution
Provide the applicant with evidence that:
- your organisation is a religious organisation operating lawfully in Australia, and
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) endorsed you to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.
If your organisation operates under a Trust arrangement, we must approve the Trustee of the Trust (as listed on the trust deed) as a Temporary Activities Sponsor. The ATO must endorse you to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.
The Trustee must meet all requirements on their own. Charity status and income tax exemptions held by the Trust do not extend to the Trustee.
You must also give evidence that:
- your organisations activities promote a religious object, and
- its members beliefs and practices constitute a religion.
Other evidence
You need to give the applicant other evidence to support their application:
- An employment contract, showing the dates of their agreed employment and any remuneration packages
- Evidence of accommodation, if they are not receiving any remuneration
- A letter of support that identifies:
- the visa applicant and any family members travelling with them
- the work the applicant will do
- what the applicant's duties will be
- when and where the applicant will work.
Supporter documents
Evidence you are a religious institution
Give the applicant evidence that:
- your organisation is a religious organisation operating lawfully in Australia
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has endorsed you to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.
If your organisation operates under a Trust arrangement, the Trustee of the Trust (as listed on the trust deed) must be the supporter. The ATO must endorse them to receive income tax exemptions as a charity.
The Trustee must meet all requirements on their own. Charity status and income tax exemptions held by the Trust do not extend to the Trustee.
You must also give evidence that:
- your organisations activities promote a religious object, and
- its members beliefs and practices constitute a religion.
Other evidence
Give the applicant other evidence to support their application:
- An employment contract, showing the dates of their agreed employment and any remuneration packages.
- A letter of support that identifies:
- the visa applicant and any family members travelling with them
- the work the applicant will do
- what the applicant's duties will be
- when and where the applicant will work.
3After the applicant applies
Tell us if things change
If your circumstances change you must tell us. See Changes in your situation.
Withdraw sponsorship
You must let us know in writing if you want to withdraw your sponsorship of a visa applicant.
4Visa outcome
We will let the visa applicant know our decision in writing.
When you are a sponsor
How long your sponsorship lasts
Approval as a temporary activities sponsor
Your approval as a temporary activities sponsor will last for 5 years unless we tell you otherwise.
You can apply to extend your sponsorship in ImmiAccount before it expires.
Sponsorship expiry reminders
From 1 July 2026, Temporary Activities Sponsors will receive an automated email reminder 90 days before their sponsorship expires. This will help avoid delays for sponsored visa applicants.
Ensure your sponsor contact details are up to date so you can receive these reminders.
Your obligations
Temporary activity sponsor obligations
You must meet your obligations as a temporary activities sponsor. See more about temporary activities sponsor obligations.
You are responsible for meeting these obligations even if you appoint someone, such as a migration agent, to act for you.
Obligations as sponsor of a visa holder
You must also meet your obligations to the visa applicant you sponsor. These are to:
- pay travel costs for the visa holder (and any family members who come to Australia on the visa with them) to return home, if requested
- absorb the cost of sponsorship, including migration agent costs, and not attempt to recover them from the visa holder
- ensure the visa holder only does the activity in relation to which the visa was granted
You might have to pay costs to find and remove the person you sponsor if they become unlawful.
Withdraw sponsorship
You can't withdraw your sponsorship or support of a visa holder after we grant the visa.
Tell us if things change
You must let us know in writing if:
- your address or contact details change
- the person you sponsored does not start the job, program or activity we granted the visa for
- the person you sponsored unexpectedly leaves the job, program or activity we granted the visa for
- you change your formal arrangement or agreement with the person you sponsor
- you change the end date of the position, program or activity
- you pay the return travel cost of the person you sponsored
- your organisation ceases to exist as a legal entity
sponsor.notifications@abf.gov.au
Post
Write to your nearest office.
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 717
Canberra ACT 2601
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 9984
Sydney NSW 2001
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 9984
Brisbane QLD 4001
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 864
Darwin NT 0801
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 2399
Adelaide SA 5001
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 794
Hobart TAS 7001
Sponsor Monitoring
GPO Box 241
Melbourne VIC 3001
Sponsor Monitoring
Locked Bag 7
Northbridge WA 6865
All streams of the Temporary Activity visa
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
Open the official page
Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.