Australian High Commission
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Working in Australia

To work in Australia, you must have a valid visa with work rights. There are a number of work visa options - below provides information on the main ones processed at the Australian High Commission in Colombo.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) visa (subclass 400)

This visa is for people who want to travel to Australia to:

  • do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
  • participate in non-ongoing cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation, or
  • in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests. ​

Generally the stay period allowed is up to three months but up to six months may be considered in limited circumstances if supported by a strong business case.

If you would like to come to Australia for the purposes of attending conferences and events you may be eligible for a visitor visa. For more information, see Conferences and Events.

Our preferred lodgement method for Temporary Work visas is online through ImmiAccount. For more information and to start an application to go: Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) visa (subclass 400).

Refer to our local visa checklists for guidance on the types of supporting documentation that should accompany your application.

Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401)

This visa allows you to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:

  • work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement (the Exchange stream)
  • participate in high-level sports competitions (the Sport stream)
  • do full-time religious work (the Religious Worker stream)
  • do full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives (the Domestic Worker (Executive) stream).

To be granted this visa, you will need an approved sponsor.

Our preferred lodgement method for Temporary Work visas is online through ImmiAccount. For more information and to start an application to go: Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401).

Refer to our local visa checklists for guidance on the types of supporting documentation that should accompany your application.

Training and Research visa (subclass 402)

This visa allows you to:

  • take part in structured workplace-based training to enhance your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or field of expertise (Occupational Trainee stream)
  • participate in a professional development training program in Australia after being invited to do so Professional Development stream
  • observe or participate in an Australian research project after being invited to do so (Research stream).

You might be able to get this visa if you are one of the following:

  • an occupational trainee (Occupational Trainee stream)
  • a professional, manager or government official (Professional Development stream)
  • a professional academic (Research stream)

Our preferred lodgement method for this visa is online through ImmiAccount. For more information and to start an application to go: Training and Research visa (subclass 402).

Refer to our local visa checklists for guidance on the types of supporting documentation that should accompany your application.

Other work visas

For information on how to apply for other work visas, information on skilled occupations in Australia, licencing and registration requirements, and regional employment see: Working in Australia.