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Visas and migration
[ Visitor Visas for Domestic Helpers (Maids) ]
No Scheme for Employment of Domestic Helpers in Australia
Australia does not have a scheme for the employment of domestic workers from other countries. Australian Immigration Regulations do not permit foreign Domestic Helpers (or Maids/Nannies) to work in Australia on visitors visas.
Who Can Get a Visa?
The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong will consider visa applications from domestic helpers who travel with their employers' (or members of their employers' immediate families, living at the same address) on short visits to Australia. They must be travelling on the same itinerary, for short holidays. Successful applicants are granted Tourist Short Visit visas. The Migration Regulations require, amongst other things, that the applicant must:
- have adequate funds for personal support during the period of stay; and
- satisfy "public interest criteria" (applicants who cannot demonstrate an intention to make a genuine visit, or who are unable to meet standard health and character requirements, will be refused).
The intention of the applicant must be to stay in Australia temporarily as a visitor.
In assessing applications for maids or domestic helpers the Australian Consulate-General considers a number of factors, as outlined below.
The Applicant
- nationality and status in the country of the passport they hold
- length of current employment (usually a minimum of 4 months)
- length of employment in Hong Kong
- immigration history, record of any previous visits to Australia and compliance with visa conditions
- presence of family or friends in Australia
The Employer
- nationality and status in Hong Kong and Australia (eg employment visa holder, Permanent Resident, or citizen)
The Visit
- length of stay: up to one month per visit;
- reason for travel (including details of employer’s family travelling & full itinerary)
- only one domestic helper for each employer/family will be considered
- only a maximum of two visits in a 12 month period will be considered
If the employer is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they MUST be returning to Hong Kong.
It is not essential that the employer attend the Consulate in connection with the visa application.
What are the Visa Conditions?
Successful applicants will usually be granted a Tourist Short Visit visa (subclass 676), valid for a single entry to Australia. A condition will be applied to the visa which will preclude any extension of this period of stay in Australia. A Tourist visa is not an option for families intending longer stays in Australia.
Holders of tourist visas are NOT permitted to work in Australia. This includes child minding or caring for an employer or their relative/s.
How to Apply
Applications must be lodged at the Australian Consulate-General between 8.30am and 12.30pm on business days. The following should be submitted at the time of application (failure to provide complete supporting documentation (as listed below) may result in refusal of application)
1. form 48R, including passport photo;
See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/48r.pdf
2. signed employer's undertaking (see link below);
3. documentation as outlined in the checklist (see link below);
The undertaking form and requirements checklist can be downloaded from the links below:
See:
Foreign Domestic helper’s checklist (pdf, 39kb) and
Employer's Undertaking Form (pdf, 27kb)
For information on the current fees
See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/990i-charges.htm
Please note: The application should not be lodged more than three months before the intended date of travel.
Service Standards
Apply for the visitor visa at least 10 working days before you plan to travel. Some passport holders also need to provide additional documentation and applications may take up to 10 working days to process (this can only be advised to you on lodgment of your application).
We aim to finalise the majority of the visas on the spot if completed applications are lodged. This can mean a slightly longer wait at the office while it is processed. We believe this will generally mean a better service to you, rather than you needing to make a second trip to collect your passport.