403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Temporary Work 403, Domestic Worker
Purpose	Full-time domestic work
Stay	Usually 12 months initially
Cost	From AUD470.00
First-visa timing	Apply and decision offshore
Further-visa timing	In or outside Australia
Work rights	Full-time domestic work only
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health insurance	Required for whole stay
Travel facility	Multiple entry while valid
Family sponsorship	Cannot include family members
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Application method	Online through ImmiAccount
Processing time	Check processing time guide

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Purpose

The Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream of the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) lets people aged 18 or over perform temporary, full-time domestic work in Australia for a household member holding a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995).

Stay and travel

Initial visa

The first visa usually allows a stay of up to 12 months.

You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the Department decides your first application.

Further visa

This visa cannot be extended. However, you may apply for a further Domestic Worker stream visa if you:

• hold a current subclass 403 Domestic Worker stream visa
• want to continue working for your current subclass 995 employer, or another subclass 995 holder
• have a workplace-law-compliant employment contract
• have DFAT support.

A further application may be made in or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance. The stay period will be the period specified in the DFAT support letter.

Travel

The visa has multiple entry. You may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish while it is valid.

Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa.

Cost

The visa costs from AUD470.00. Concessions apply only in limited circumstances.

From 1 July 2026, a lower visa application charge applies to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who lodge a valid application and provide a valid passport from one of these countries:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Eligible applicants are charged the lower amount during the ImmiAccount application process.

The visa pricing estimator does not include other possible costs.

Eligibility

You must:

• be 18 years or older
• intend to stay in Australia temporarily
• intend to perform the work stated in your application
• intend to work full-time as a domestic worker in the household of a subclass 995 visa holder
• have a signed and dated employment contract
• have a DFAT letter of support
• meet Australian workplace laws and relevant awards
• have enough financial capacity to support yourself
• meet health and character requirements
• have adequate health insurance for the whole stay
• repay, or formally arrange repayment of, any Australian Government debt
• apply online.

The Department may consider your immigration history. A previous visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.

Interview requirement

You must attend an interview to confirm your identity, employment details and documents. This may occur at:

• a Department of Home Affairs office, if applying in Australia, or
• an Australian mission, if applying outside Australia.

Work rights and conditions

You may perform full-time domestic work only in the household of a person holding a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995).

Your pay and working conditions must meet Australian workplace laws. Australian workplace laws apply to all workers employed in Australia.

You must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. Check individual conditions and work entitlements through VEVO.

Health insurance and healthcare

You are personally responsible for healthcare costs in Australia.

You must hold adequate health insurance for the entire stay. Cover should include medically necessary treatment, including transport.

Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. The source does not state whether this visa provides Medicare enrolment.

Family provisions

You cannot include family members in this visa application.

The Department may require family members not travelling to Australia to meet health or character requirements.

Required documents

Prepare clear colour scans or photographs of documents. If a document has multiple pages, save all pages in one file.

Identity

Provide:

• current passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates
• national identity card, if available
• evidence of any name change.

Employment and support

Provide:

• employment contract signed and dated by both parties
• DFAT letter of support.

Financial capacity

Provide one or more of:

• employment contract
• bank statements
• bank or financial institution letter confirming financial position.

The Department may also consider employer-provided allowances, accommodation and other assistance.

Other evidence

• Police certificates, if requested.
• Health examination results, if required.
• Biometrics, if requested.

Translations

All non-English documents must be translated into English. Submit both the original and translated documents.

Translations completed in Australia must be completed by a NAATI-accredited translator. Overseas translators must include their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications and relevant language experience in English.

Document certification is not required.

How to apply

1. Organise required documents, health examinations if desired, and translations.
2. Create or log in to ImmiAccount.
3. Complete the online application.
4. Attach supporting documents.
5. Pay the visa application charge.
6. Record the transaction reference number (TRN).
7. Attend an interview and provide further information if requested.

The Department will not process an application until the correct charge is paid. If the correct charge is not paid, the application may be invalidated.

After applying

Monitor ImmiAccount for requests for:

• additional documents
• health examinations
• biometrics
• other information.

Tell the Department promptly if your contact details, passport, relationship status or other circumstances change. If you make a mistake, complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers and attach it in ImmiAccount.

If applying in Australia for a further visa, remain lawful by holding a valid visa. A bridging visa may apply if the in-Australia application is valid and the current visa expires before a decision.

Decision and visa record

The Department will provide its decision in writing.

If granted, the notice states the visa grant number, start date and any visa conditions. Keep a copy of the decision.

If refused, the Department will advise the reasons and whether review rights are available. The application charge is not refunded for a refusal.

Your visa is digitally linked to your passport. You will not receive a passport label. Use VEVO to check your visa status, conditions and stay period.