Subclass 408 — Temporary Activity Visa

You may be eligible to apply for a 408 visa if you meet one of the following scenarios:

Scenario A: Stay in Australia for 3 months or less

You can apply if you:

• Apply from outside Australia
• Have the support of an organisation or individual in Australia that has passed the 'support test'
• That organisation has responsibility for the event or activity you intend to take part in
• Have the skills to undertake the activity

Scenario B: Stay in Australia for more than 3 months

You can apply if you:

• Have an approved sponsor who has passed the sponsorship test
• Can adequately provide financial support to yourself and family while in Australia
• Have made adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia
• Meet standard health and character requirements
• Genuinely intend to remain in Australia on a temporary basis, only for the specified activity
• Meet the additional requirements of the relevant 408 visa stream

For stays of 3 months or less, a simpler 'support' arrangement may apply. For longer stays, full sponsorship is required.

The 408 visa has 10 distinct streams, each targeting a specific type of temporary activity. Each stream has different eligibility requirements and maximum stay periods.

• Australian Government Endorsed Events stream — activities or events endorsed by an Australian government agency (up to 4 years)
• Domestic Work for Executives stream — full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives (up to 2 years)
• Entertainment Activities stream — work in the entertainment industry (up to 2 years)
• Exchange Arrangements stream — staff exchange arrangements in skilled positions (up to 2 years)
• Invited Participant stream — participation in other social and cultural activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation (up to 3 months)
• Religious Work stream — full-time religious work (up to 2 years)
• Research Activities stream — participating in or observing Australian research projects (up to 2 years)
• Special Program stream — DOHA-approved special programmes for youth exchange, community benefits (up to 12 months)
• Sporting Activities stream — high-level sports competitions or training (up to 4 years)
• Superyacht Crew stream — employment as superyacht crew (up to 12 months)

How long you will be permitted to stay in Australia on a 408 visa depends on your stream:

The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is an integrity measure designed to ensure that temporary visa programmes like the 408 are used as intended, and not as a way to maintain ongoing residency in Australia.

Temporary residents are generally not permitted to use the 408 visa to extend their stay beyond four years.

The GTE requirement applies to all Subclass 408 applicants. The assessing officer will consider whether each applicant's individual circumstances sufficiently demonstrate that their intention is only to stay in Australia on a temporary basis.

Factors considered

• Your reason for applying for the visa
• The length of your proposed stay in Australia
• Your ties to your home country (employment, family, property)
• Your immigration history
• The circumstances of any family members travelling with you

When applying for a Subclass 408 visa, you must demonstrate your ability to financially support yourself and any accompanying family members.

Evidence you may need to provide

• Bank statements showing sufficient funds
• An employment contract
• A letter from your employer setting out any assistance offered (e.g. accommodation or travel allowances)
• Evidence of assets or income in your home country

Applicants for the Subclass 408 Special Program stream should be able to demonstrate that they have functional English language skills (IELTS 4.5 or equivalent).

This is to ensure that all Special Program participants are able to fully experience the program's cultural and social benefits, as well as to ensure that occupational health and safety standards are met.

Other streams may have different or no English language requirements — check the specific requirements for your stream.

If you intend to stay in Australia for more than three months, or if you are applying for a 408 visa from inside Australia, you must provide the following information from your sponsor:

• Transaction Reference Number or Sponsorship Application ID
• Sponsor approval letter or receipt for lodgement of their sponsorship application
• A written statement from the sponsor stating that they will meet their sponsorship obligations for you and all dependent family members included in your application

For stays of 3 months or less, you instead need the 'support' of an Australian organisation or individual.

Applications for 408 visas cost from AUD 535.

Additional charges apply for:

• Family members aged 18 and over
• Family members aged under 18

Sponsorship fees are separate and paid by the sponsoring organisation. Check the latest fees at: Home Affairs - Temporary Activity visa (408)

How long does the 408 visa take to process?
Most applications are processed within 2-6 weeks, but this varies by stream and complexity.

Can I work multiple jobs on the 408 visa?
No, you can only work for the sponsoring organisation in the approved activity. Working outside the approved activity breaches your visa conditions.

Can I switch streams while in Australia?
No, you must lodge a new application from outside Australia if you want a different visa.

Can I bring family members?
Some streams allow family members. Check the specific requirements for your stream.

What happens after my 408 visa expires?
You must leave Australia unless you have applied for and been granted another visa. Common transitions are to a skilled visa (189/190/491) or employer-sponsored visa (482/186).

Can I apply for permanent residence from the 408 visa?
Not directly. However, the activities undertaken on a 408 visa may enhance your qualifications or industry experience, supporting a future skilled migration application.

Is the 408 visa the same as the 482 visa?
No. The 482 (Skills in Demand) is for general skilled employment. The 408 is for specific short-term activities like entertainment, sports, research, and religious work.

Ausking provides comprehensive assistance for Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa applications:

• Stream selection and eligibility assessment (10 streams to choose from)
• Sponsor coordination and sponsorship application
• Nomination lodgement
• Visa application and full document preparation
• Health insurance coordination
• GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) evidence preparation
• Extension and transition pathway advice