About the Retirement Visa (Subclass 410)

The Retirement visa (subclass 410) is a temporary visa designed for retirees and their partners who wish to spend their retirement years in Australia. This visa is not available to new or first-time visa applicants, with the exception of partners of existing Retirement visa holders and former Retirement visa holders who have not held another visa since their last entry into Australia. Former Retirement visa holders and their partners, who have been granted any other substantive visa, including Visitor visas and Electronic Travel Authorities, are not eligible to reapply for this visa.

Since July 1, 2009, Retirement visa holders have had the opportunity to apply for a visa that is valid for 10 years from the date of grant and does not impose any restrictions on work hours.

What You Can Do with This Visa

The Retirement visa (subclass 410) allows you and your partner to:

• Leave and re-enter Australia at any time
• Work in Australia
• Study in Australia

It is important to note that this is a temporary visa and does not lead to permanent residence in Australia or Australian citizenship.

Before You Apply

Your Passport

Both you and your partner must have valid passports to be granted this visa. If you change your passport after being granted this visa, you must notify the Department. Failure to provide details of any new or additional passport used for travel to Australia may result in delays at the airport and potential denial of permission to board your plane.

Visa Validity Period

If granted the Retirement visa (subclass 410), it will be valid for 10 years from the date of grant.

Australian Government Benefits

This visa is specifically designed for self-funded retirees, and as such, you are generally not entitled to financial assistance or welfare support from the Australian Government.

Medicare Benefits

Generally, you are not eligible for Medicare benefits, including Reciprocal Health Care Agreements between Australia and other countries. More information on this can be found on the Services Australia website.

Retirement Definitions

To help you understand the information provided, the following definitions are important:

• Rollover: Renewing your Retirement visa for a further stay
• Partner: Your spouse or de facto partner, including same-sex partners
• Substantive visa: Any visa other than a bridging visa, criminal justice visa, or enforcement visa

Health Insurance

While in Australia, it is mandatory to maintain adequate health insurance. Failure to do so may result in the refusal of future visa applications.

Cost

When applying for the Retirement visa (subclass 410), a non-refundable visa application charge must be paid. Additional costs may include health assessments, police checks and certificates, and other certificates. You should also be prepared to cover the cost of document translations.

Who Can Get This Visa

The Retirement visa (subclass 410) is available to the following individuals:

• Existing Retirement visa (subclass 410) holders and their partners
• Former Retirement visa (subclass 410) holders and their partners who have not held another substantive visa since their last entry into Australia

Health Requirements

Unless you have traveled for three months or more to a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, you and your partner are not required to undergo a health examination. If tuberculosis is identified, medical treatment will be necessary. More information on health requirements can be found on the Department's website.

Character Requirements

To enter and remain in Australia, you must be of good character. If applying to rollover your Retirement visa, you will need to provide an up-to-date Australian Federal Police clearance. Additionally, an overseas penal clearance must be provided for every country where you have spent at least 12 months since your last Retirement visa (subclass 410) was granted. For more information on character requirements, please visit the Department's website.

Financial Requirements

As a Retirement visa holder, you are expected to be self-supporting while in Australia.

Signing the Australian Values Statement

If you are 18 years or older, you must declare that you will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. The values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. By signing the application form, you are also signing the values statement. There is no requirement to have read the "Life in Australia" book. For more information on Australian values, please refer to the Department's website.

Including Family in Your Application

Your partner can be included on your application form. However, dependent children or other dependent relatives cannot be included.

How to Apply

To apply for a Retirement visa (subclass 410), you and anyone included in your application can apply in or outside of Australia. If applying in Australia, you must be in the country when the visa is granted. If applying outside of Australia, you must be outside of the country when the visa is granted.

Preparing Your Documents

It is important to provide the necessary documents to support your application. The required documents can be found in the Document checklist. Some documents may take time to obtain, so it is advisable to have them ready when you lodge your application to avoid processing delays.

Lodging Your Application

To complete your application, you must fill out Form 1383, Application for a temporary visa for retirees. If an Australian penal clearance certificate is required, you will also need to complete the AFP National Police Check application form. Lodge your application at the Hobart office in Tasmania, providing all relevant documents and paying the visa application charge. Payment can be made by credit card, bank cheque, or money order payable to the Department of Home Affairs.

After You Have Applied

Once you have lodged your application and documents, you will receive confirmation of receipt from the Department.

Providing More Information

You have the opportunity to provide additional information in writing until a decision is made on your application. If you need to correct any information provided, you can use Form 1023, Notification of incorrect answer(s). The Department may also request additional information, to which you must respond by the given deadline. If someone provides information that could result in the refusal of your visa, you will typically be given the chance to comment on the information.

Reporting Changes in Your Circumstances

If your circumstances change, it is important to notify the Department. Forms 929 and 1022 can be used to report changes in address, passport details, or other circumstances.

Withdrawing Your Application

If you decide to withdraw your application, refer to the Department's guidelines for instructions.

Visa Decision

If your Retirement visa (subclass 410) is granted, you will receive a letter detailing the visa grant and any associated conditions. If your visa is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for refusal and information on how to request a review by the Migration Review Tribunal.

Document Checklist

When applying for the Retirement visa (subclass 410), it is important to provide the necessary documents to support your application. Certified copies of original documents should be provided, unless specifically requested otherwise. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations. The document checklist provides a comprehensive list of required forms and charges associated with the application.

Receiving Assistance

If someone is assisting you with your application, they must complete Form 956, Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance. If you would like someone else to receive correspondence from the Department on your behalf, they must complete Form 956A, Appointment or withdrawal of an authorized recipient.

Your Identity

When applying for the Retirement visa (subclass 410), certified copies of marriage certificates or relationship registrations must be provided for you and anyone else included in the application, even if they are not joining you in Australia. Evidence of any name change, such as a marriage certificate, should also be provided. Additionally, two recent passport-sized photographs of each person included in the application should be included, with the name of the person printed on the back of each photograph.

Your Relationships

If you are in a de facto relationship, independent evidence of the relationship lasting at least 12 months should be provided, such as joint bank account statements or billing accounts in joint names.

Your Health Insurance

To be eligible for the Retirement visa (subclass 410), you must show evidence of maintaining health insurance during your previous stay in Australia and ongoing adequate health insurance. Adequate health insurance must be fully comprehensive and provide coverage equivalent to Medicare, including coverage of 85% of costs for hospital, emergency, and general practitioner services, as well as coverage for pharmaceuticals. It is recommended to obtain health insurance from an Australian insurer, although alternative arrangements with overseas insurers may be accepted. Failure to maintain adequate health insurance may result in the refusal of future visa applications.

Visa Holders

If you have already been granted a Retirement visa (subclass 410), it is essential to understand your rights and obligations as a visa holder.

What the Visa Allows You to Do

The Retirement visa (subclass 410) allows you and your partner to leave and re-enter Australia at any time, work in Australia, and study in Australia.

Your Obligations

As a Retirement visa holder, you and your partner must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. Failure to do so can result in the cancellation of your visa, requiring you to leave Australia.

Arrival Conditions

You must enter Australia before the expiry date provided in your visa grant notification. Failure to arrive before this date will necessitate obtaining a new visa for travel.

Reporting Changes in Circumstances

If your circumstances change, it is important to inform the Department. Forms 929 and 1022 can be used to report changes in address, passport details, or other circumstances.