Exchange Visas

This visa is designed for skilled people who wish to come to Australia temporarily in order to improve their work experience and further develop skills. This particular visa has reciprocal agreements to enable Australian residents similar opportunities overseas.

The main purpose of this visa is to:

• Create opportunities for people to be exposed o different cultures
• Improve international relations
• Improve experience and knowledge of applicants

Applicants who come to Australia with this visa are able to live and work in the country for a maximum of 2 years or until the period of exchange is over. This visa allows applicants to be accompanied by their spouse, dependent children or other dependent relatives for the period of the visa.

Applicants who have been granted this visa must inform the department of immigration if their situation changes in any way, such as the termination of employment for which the visa was granted.

Visa Classes

The two classes of exchange are Staff exchange and Government to Government.

Staff Exchange

In order to be eligible for a staff exchange, the following must apply:

• The exchange position in Australia needs to be a skilled position
• The exchange agreement enables an Australian citizen or permanent resident to gain experience with an overseas organisation
• The same position that is held by the Australian citizen or permanent resident will be offered to the resident once the exchange has been completed
• The exchange program will be beneficial to both the overseas applicant and the Australian resident.

Participants in the exchange program must be employed in Australia according to the standards for wages and working conditions stipulated in relevant Australian legislation.

Government to Government

In order to be eligible for a government to government exchange, the following must apply:

• The department needs to be convinced that the application satisfies the conditions of the agreement
• Applicants need to show that their stay in Australia under the exchange agreement has been approved by the relevant government authorities and the participating country.

Participants in the exchange program must be employed in Australia according to the standards for wages and working conditions stipulated in relevant Australian legislation.

Family members

This visa allows applicants to bring eligible family members to Australia for the period of the exchange. This includes the applicant's spouse, dependent children and other dependent relatives that live with the applicant.

Obligations of the applicant

Applicants who have been granted an exchange visa must not do the following:

• No longer be employed by the employer for which the visa was granted
• Work in a position that is not consistent with the occupation for which the visa was granted
• Take up employment for another person or self employment for which the visa was not granted

Applicants are advised to get private health insurance but it is not a necessary requirement for the visa. There are certain health requirements that applicants must meet which could involve a health examination.