Special Purpose visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Special Purpose visa
Visa type	Temporary
Stay	While prescribed status continues
Cost	No application charge
Application	Automatically granted on entry
Eligibility timing	Hold prescribed status on entry
Work rights	Status-dependent
Study	Eligible military dependants only
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health insurance	Recommended
Travel facility	Multiple entry while eligible
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Limited eligible dependants
Visa record	No passport label
Processing	No processing times available

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Purpose

The Special Purpose visa lets eligible people enter and temporarily stay in Australia while they hold a prescribed status. You cannot apply for it; it is granted automatically when you enter Australia.

Eligibility

You must hold a prescribed status. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Airline crew members, airline positioning crew members, and aircraft safety inspectors.
• A person forming part of a foreign armed-forces ship’s complement, on board when the ship enters Australia.
• Members of certain foreign armed forces, including military or civilian components covered by a Status of Forces Agreement with Australia.
• Members of armed forces from specified Asia-Pacific or Commonwealth countries travelling as part of duty.
• Accompanying spouses, de facto partners, or dependent relatives of eligible armed-forces members, if listed on military travel orders.

Military members and dependants from Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States may be eligible for the Special Purpose Travel Authority (subclass 945). In limited circumstances, it provides a visa grant number for use in VEVO.

Military personnel and dependants should seek visa-status advice from their High Commission, Embassy, or Defence representative.

Stay and visa cessation

You can stay temporarily for as long as you hold your prescribed status.

The visa ceases if:

• Your prescribed status ends; or
• The Department ceases the visa.

To remain in Australia after your status ends, you must apply for another visa.

Work and study rights

Rights depend on your prescribed status.

• Eligible military personnel may perform their regular military duties in Australia.
• Airline crew, positioning crew, and aircraft safety inspectors may arrive or join a flight as crew.
• Accompanying spouses, de facto partners, and dependent relatives of eligible armed-forces members may work and study if listed on the travel orders.

Airline crew should refer to the Crew Travel Authority for work conditions.

Family provisions

In limited circumstances, an eligible person’s partner or dependent relative may receive a Special Purpose visa.

For armed-forces dependants, they must be accompanying the eligible member and listed on that member’s military travel orders.

Travel

You may enter and leave Australia as many times as you want while you continue to hold the prescribed status.

Obligations and health costs

You must:

• Obey all Australian laws.
• Comply with legal obligations attached to your prescribed status.
• Leave or obtain another visa when your prescribed status ends.

Health insurance is recommended. You are personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia. Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.

Required travel documents

Military personnel

Carry:

• A valid passport or other travel document.
• Military identification.
• Movement orders showing travel to Australia.

Dependants must carry:

• A valid national passport.
• A certificate or letter confirming dependency on the primary military person.

Airline crew

Carry:

• A valid passport.
• An Airline Identity Card.
• Inclusion on the crew list; or
• An employer letter stating the purpose of travel as positioning crew.

How the visa is granted

1. Hold an eligible prescribed status.
2. Travel to Australia with the required documents.
3. Receive the Special Purpose visa automatically when entering Australia.

There is no application form, application charge, or published processing time.

Important warnings

• This visa is valid only while your prescribed status continues.
• It may not be linked to your passport.
• You will not receive a visa label in your passport.
• If you need proof of travel after departure, request your international movement records.