The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) have announced new framework changes, that are focused on the temporary activity visa.

The following visas were closed to new applications from the 19^th of November 2016:

• Subclass 401 Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa
• Subclass 402 Training and Research visa
• Subclass 416 Special Program visa
• Subclass 420 Temporary Work (Entertainment) visa
• Subclass 488 Superyacht Crew visa.

All applications that were lodged before the 19^th November 2016 cut off, will be processed under the pre-19 November 2016 legislation. These visas will be implemented within the new temporary activity visa framework supplied by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).

Whilst there were visa subclasses closed for new applications, there were four new visa subclasses that were introduced on 19^th November 2016.

These visa subclasses are:

• 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 visa framework is designed to make applying for a temporary visa simpler and easier to understand. The implementation of these new visa subclasses will reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by removing the sponsorship and nomination requirements for chosen short stay activities.

What is the new visa framework?

On 19 November 2016, the new visa subclasses will allow applicants to enter Australia for temporary work or a specified activity. These four visa subclasses can be seen below with a brief description of the new visa subclass.

Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa

This visa will 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 will 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 will 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 will 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.

Below is a diagram that shows the new temporary activity visa framework changes for Australia in more detail:

(Picture supplied by DIBP)
If you have any questions regarding the temporary activity visa framework changes or would like to begin your visa application, please contact our team of Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers. Alternatively, you can fill in our FREE visa assessment form.