Australia•Oceania

Open

945 — Special Purpose Travel Authority

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Valid as long as the prescribed status is held

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

2% more than United States

Avg SalaryA$73,000

Quality of Life

187/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Statutory fee-free exemption for foreign military personnel, airline and ship crew, diplomatic guests, and Royal Family members holding prescribed status.

The Australian Special Purpose visa is a statutory exemption under the Migration Act 1958, granted automatically with no application or fee to people holding 'prescribed status'. Categories include foreign military personnel under SOFA, airline crew, ship crew, diplomatic guests, and Royal Family members.

The visa remains valid while prescribed status is maintained and ceases immediately if that status ends. Work is restricted to duties tied to the prescribed status. qualifying dependents, such as foreign armed forces family members, may qualify in their own right. No pathway to permanent residency.

This visa is ideal for foreign military personnel, airline crew, ship crew, and official government guests whose entry is a matter of official duty rather than personal migration intent.

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Stay & Extensions

Status type

Tied to program duration

Eligible Nationalities (4)

Canada

United Kingdom

Singapore

United States

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must hold a 'prescribed status' as defined by the Migration Act 1958.

Examples of prescribed status include: members of certain foreign armed forces, crew of non-military ships visiting Australia, airline crew, or official guests of the Australian Government.

Must hold a valid passport or other travel document.

Military personnel must travel with Military ID and movement orders.

Must comply with the laws and conditions associated with the specific status.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Evidence of prescribed status (e.g., Military ID and movement orders for armed forces, employer documentation for airline crew, seafarer documentation for ship crew).

Any other documentation required by the specific status (e.g., official invitation for government guests).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No application fee.
No formal application process required; granted automatically.
Allows entry and stay in Australia for the duration of the prescribed status.
Facilitates official duties (e.g., military, maritime, or aviation operations).
Allows multiple entries and exits while the status is maintained.

Worth Knowing

The visa is only valid as long as the 'prescribed status' is held; it ceases immediately if the status ends.
Not a pathway to permanent residency.
Must strictly adhere to the conditions of the status; failure to do so can result in becoming an unlawful non-citizen.
Health insurance is highly recommended as coverage may not be automatic.