Subclass 403
Temporary visa which allows you to work in circumstances that are beneficial to Australia's relation with international partners.
The 403 International Relations Visa
The Subclass 403 visa is a temporary visa that allows you to work in Australia under specific international agreements or for distinct diplomatic purposes. It covers a diverse range of activities, from the MATES program for Indian graduates to the PALM scheme for Pacific workers and support for diplomatic households.
At Immilex, we focus on the facts. We assess your eligibility against the specific requirements of your chosen stream to provide a clear roadmap for your stay in Australia.
Key Processes:
- The MATES Ballot: The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) uses a ballot system for Indian graduates. You must first register and be selected in the ballot before you are invited to apply for the visa.
- PALM Scheme Approval: To participate in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, you must be a citizen of a participating country and be recruited by an employer approved as a PALM sponsor.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): Most 403 streams require you to demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose of the visa.
- Sponsorship/Support: Depending on the stream, you may need a Temporary Activity Sponsor (TAS), or a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
MATES (Indian Graduates)
What it is for: A mobility arrangement allowing talented early-career professionals from India to live and work in Australia.
What it allows: Live and work anywhere in Australia for 2 years; travel in and out of the country; include eligible family members.
Key Requirements:
- Be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30.
- Have graduated from an eligible institute with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field (e.g., Renewable Energy, ICT, AI, FinTech, Engineering).
- Graduation must have occurred within 2 years of application.
- Be selected in the MATES ballot and meet English requirements.
Length of Stay: Up to 2 years.
PALM (Pacific Workers)
What it is for: For workers from participating Pacific countries to fill labour shortages in Australia.
What it allows: Work for an approved PALM employer; travel in and out of Australia; family inclusion (in specific circumstances).
Key Requirements:
- Be a citizen of Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga,Tuvalu, or Vanuatu.
- Be sponsored by an approved Temporary Activity Sponsor (TAS) who holds PALM approval.
- Have a valid employment offer that meets Australian standard.
Length of Stay: Up to 9 months (Short-term) or 4 years (Long-term).
Income Threshold: Must meet the salary requirements specified in the PALM scheme deed.
Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular)
What it is for: To perform domestic duties in the private household of a Subclass 995 (Diplomatic) visa holder.
What it allows: Full-time domestic work (cooking, cleaning, childcare); travel in and out of Australia.
Key Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 yearsold.
- Provide an employment contract that meets Australian workplacestandards.
- Obtain a letter ofsupport from DFAT.
- The employer must be a Subclass 995 visa holder
Length of Stay: Up to 12 months (extensions possible).
Maintaining compliance
- Work Limitation: You must only work in the occupation, for the employer, or in the activity for which your visa was granted.
- Employer Changes: Most 403 streams (especially PALM and Domestic Worker) do not allow you to change employers without prior approval from the Department and, where applicable, the relevant scheme administrator.
- Departure Requirement: As a temporary visa, you are expected to depart Australia before your visa expires unless you apply for a further eligible visa.
The MATES Guide
Eligibility Audit
Confirm you meet the age (18–30), nationality (Indian), and education criteria (Bachelor’s or higher in a priority STEM field from a Top 100 NIRF institution within the last 2 years).
Ballot Registration
Register your details in the MATES Ballot during the open registration window. A non-refundable fee of AUD $25 is required to enter.
Selection & Notification
Registrants are randomly selected. If successful, you will receive a Notification of Selection letter via email and through your ImmiAccount.
Visa Application
You have 30 days from the date of selection to lodge your Subclass 403 visa application. You must provide your English test results and proof of your qualification at this stage.
Grant & Travel
Once the visa is granted, you can travel to Australia to begin your two-year stay with full work and study rights.
For 403 Visa Applicants
The Subclass 403 is for specific, non-ongoing activities and does not lead directly to permanent residency. Success depends on maintaining a valid contract and meeting the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement. At Immilex, we assess your application to ensure your role matches the specific criteria of your stream and that your employment contract complies with Australian law.
For programs like MATES, timing is essential. You must be selected in the ballot before you can proceed. We help you manage these stages to ensure that if you are selected, your visa application is ready for prompt submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must notify the Department. Your visa is tied to your specific employer or agreement; if that relationship ends, you may be in breach of your visa conditions.
A formal skills assessment is typically not required for the 403 visa, but you must provide evidence of your qualifications and experience as they relate to your specific stream or the MATES requirements.
Yes, family members can be included in the MATES and most PALM applications. For the Domestic Worker stream, family members are generally not allowed to accompany you.
Navigate International Mobility with Confidence
The 403 visa involves unique government and scheme-specific requirements. Contact us at Immilex for a consultation to ensure your participation in these international programs is successful and compliant.