Following the Department of Home Affairs’ Hiring Overseas Religious Workers webinar held on Wednesday 20 May 2026, the Department has issued written responses to questions that couldn’t be addressed during the live question-and-answer session. This article aims to summarise and explain this guidance. The clarifications cover two key programs: the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA) and the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Religious Work visa.
Part 1 The Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA)
The MoRLA is a labour agreement that allows religious institutions to sponsor overseas workers, typically as a longer-term pathway than the subclass 408 visa, and provides a pathway to permanent residence (PR).
Is there a fee to set up a MoRLA?
There’s no fee to request a MoRLA to sponsor an overseas worker. Once the agreement is in place, the standard Skills in Demand (subclass 482) nomination application fee applies to nominations. Importantly, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy does not apply under a MoRLA. Current nomination fees are published on the Department’s cost of sponsoring page.
What qualifications do Ministers of Religion need?
Formal qualifications are not mandatory under a MoRLA. The skills and experience requirement can be met through qualifications, structured training, or at least five years of relevant experience. Supporting evidence can include things like proof of ordination, letters from the proposed sponsor, and documentation of duties and experience.
Where a vow of poverty or service applies, the organisation can instead provide documents showing how the worker’s living needs are fully met covering board and lodging, health, education, welfare, and any other costs the worker incurs.
How many workers can be sponsored?
There’s no fixed limit on the number of workers under a MoRLA. However, the religious institution must demonstrate that each position is genuinely needed and can’t be filled from the Australian labour market. The nomination ceiling (the number of overseas workers the institution can sponsor) is negotiated as part of the agreement and assessed against the size of the organisation, its workforce composition, and demonstrated need.
Moving from a subclass 408 to a 482 or 186 visa
A subclass 408 (Religious Work) visa holder can apply for a subclass 482 visa under a MoRLA, provided they meet the relevant nomination and visa requirements. However, anyone treating the 408 as a stepping stone to longer-term stay should be aware they may not satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement attached to that visa.
It is not possible to apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa directly from a subclass 408 visa. Under a MoRLA, the 186 pathway generally requires the person to have held a subclass 482 visa in the nominated occupation for at least two years unless a specific concession applies for the most senior roles.
Does training need to be recent?
No. There’s no requirement that qualifications or training be completed within a particular timeframe, as long as the qualifications and experience criteria can be met with sufficient supporting evidence.
Is a skills assessment required for the subclass 186?
A formal skills assessment is not required for Minister of Religion roles under a MoRLA.
Further detail is available via the Department’s Industry labour agreements page and the Minister of Religion industry labour agreement template.
Part 2 The Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Religious Work Visa
The subclass 408 Religious Work stream is generally a shorter-term option for religious workers.
Sponsorship obligations
Sponsors must notify the Department in writing if a sponsored person unexpectedly leaves the job, program or activity the visa was granted for. Notifications go to sponsor.notifications@abf.gov.au. The “for sponsors” section of the subclass 408 Religious Work stream page (see “When you are a sponsor”) sets out the full obligations.
How many workers can be employed?
There’s no defined limit on the number of 408 Religious Work visa holders an organisation can employ, and labour market testing isn’t required. That said, it’s a legislative requirement that employing the applicant must not adversely affect employment, training opportunities, or conditions of employment for Australian citizens or permanent residents.
How long can someone stay?
Policy allows a cumulative stay of up to four years (two consecutive two-year visas). After four years, religious workers must either depart Australia or apply for a more appropriate visa — for example, a 482 visa under a MoRLA.
Lodging decision-ready applications
To avoid delays, applications should be lodged as early as possible and be decision-ready. That means including:
- Police clearances from overseas and Australia (where required)
- Employment contracts
- Sponsor / supporter information
- Evidence that a genuine temporary stay is intended
Current timeframes are published on the Department’s Global visa processing times page.
Character requirements
These are set out on the Department’s Character requirements for visas page.
Is there a minimum salary?
No — there’s no minimum salary requirement for the 408 Religious Work visa. However, applicants must demonstrate (as a legislative requirement) that they have access to sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of their intended stay.
Applicant financial requirements
Building on the point above: while offers of support from sponsors or proposers are taken into account, it’s ultimately the applicant’s responsibility to show they meet the legislative requirements. An applicant’s financial circumstances are relevant both to their capacity to support themselves and to whether they intend to have a genuine temporary stay.
Qualifications and accreditation
There’s no formal validation or accreditation process for the 408. Even so, the Department may make further enquiries to verify the genuineness of the applicant including their claimed experience and qualifications and the need for the position.
In summary
The MoRLA suits organisations looking to sponsor religious workers for the longer term, with flexible qualification requirements and a possible pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 482 and 186 visas. The subclass 408 Religious Work visa offers a more temporary option of up to four years, with lighter setup requirements but a firmer cap on length of stay.
Whichever pathway fits your organisation, the recurring themes from the Department are clear: positions must be genuinely needed, applicants must be able to support themselves, and applications are far smoother when they’re lodged early and decision-ready.
Looking for assistance?
If your organisation is considering sponsoring a religious worker, or you are exploring visa options under the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement or subclass 408 pathway, we encourage you to seek tailored legal advice. Isaac Ford and Simon Mason are experienced practitioners in this area and regularly assist institutions and applicants with these types of applications. With over 10 years of combined experience in the migration space, they can guide you through the process with clarity and confidence. You can view their profiles here: Isaac Ford and Simon Mason. Please feel free to contact a member of our team at any time to discuss your circumstances.
Contact our office on 1300-VOC-LAW / 1300-862-529 or email: enquiry@vocarelaw.com.au
This article was written by Isaac Ford and Simon Mason.
**The information contained herein does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice and is for general informational purposes only.
