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Visiting Academic Visa Subclass 419

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for professional academics from overseas who, because of a significant record of achievement in their field, can be sponsored by Monash University to come to Australia to observe or participate in an Australian research project.

This visa is not appropriate for academics who will be involved in teaching/lecturing in Australia, or for students, including PhD students who want to undertake research in Australia that is credited towards an award or qualification in their home country. It is also not an appropriate visa for recent PhD graduates who are not currently employed as professional academics or researchers and cannot demonstrate experience as such. Refer to: Monash Occupational Trainee Visa (Subclass 442).

Visitors must not receive remuneration other than a contribution towards living and travel expenses.

Applicant eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must:

  • have been invited to observe or participate in an Australian research project at the University in collaboration with other academics employed by Monash.
  • be employed or have formerly been employed as an academic at a tertiary or research institution overseas and hold or have held a senior academic title
  • have a significant record of achievement in their field
  • have qualifications and experience which match those required for the nominated position
  • Meet certain health requirements and character requirements
  • be able to produce supporting documentation including:
    1. A letter of invitation from the University as supplied by the Monash HR upon receipt of a Request for visitor and occupational trainee form or online application using the Visitor Management Module (VMM) via ESS. The letter must include the period for which the invitation is extended, details of the applicant's proposed activities in Australia, the nature and amount of any proposed payments by the institution to the applicant. Note: this cannot be a salary or fee for service
    2. Where the academic is currently employed by an overseas tertiary or research institution, a statement from the home institution which should confirm the invitation to visit the University and provide evidence that their leave from their usual academic appointment will be granted.
    3. A list of papers published in recognised journals by the nominated applicant

Health insurance requirements

A 419 visa holder and any secondary applicants must hold adequate private medical and hospital health insurance to cover for the entire time they are in Australia.

Financial requirements

A 419 visa holder will need to be able to demonstrate adequate means of support to cover all expenses associated with the stay in Australia, including school fees for dependent children (if applicable).

Three stage application process

Step 1: Sponsorship (already obtained)

The University has registered with DIAC to become a sponsoring organisation for visiting academics. This step has been completed by HR Operations on behalf of the University. You will need to enter the applicable sponsorship application ID number when lodging a nomination form.

Step 2: Nomination (responsibility of Monash University)

Each nomination is valid for 12 months and will cost $165.

Nominations must be submitted using a Nomination for a temporary position form 1378 [pdf]

Step 3: Visiting Academic Visa application (responsibility of the nominated person)

Each visa is valid for 12 months or the period of stay covered in the letter of invitation, whichever is the earlier date. The application will cost $305.

Applications must be submitted using the Application for a temporary residence visa (non-business) form 147 [pdf]

If the applicant is offshore, the visa application will need to be lodged offshore. Vice versa, if the visa applicant is onshore, the visa application will need to be lodged onshore.

Applications completed at Faculty/Department level must be submitted to hr-immigration@monash.edu for approval prior to sending to DIAC. Alternatively Faculties/Departments can use the University’s endorsed Migration Service Suppliers to process and lodge the applications:

Processing times

Please allow between ten (10) and twelve (12) weeks from the time of lodgment for the visa application to be considered and processed by immigration.

Note: DIAC processing times may vary between offices and may possibly be longer if there are medical checks required, dependents on the visa or other issues relating to the appointee or family.

More information

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC): Visiting Academic Visa (subclass 419)

Note: Migration legislation is updated regularly. Consequently this information is subject to change.

Related procedures