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400 visa: Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)

Features

The 400 visa is for people who want to travel to Australia to:

  • do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
  • 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.

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Eligibility

You must:

  • be invited, or supported, by the organisation you will be working for
  • have specialist skills, knowledge or experience that is needed but cannot be found in Australia

Length of stay

Up to 3 months (6 months in limited circumstances)

Cost

From AUD 535

Processing time

Processing times change each month. Most complete applications are decided within a few weeks.

Processing times vary.

Financial requirements

While you are in Australia, you must be able to support yourself and your family members who come with you to Australia. You might be asked to provide evidence of funds.

Can my business invite applicants under the 400 visa program?

 About this visa

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) is a temporary visa that lets you enter Australia to:

  • do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
  • in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.

When lodging your subclass 400 visa application, you will need to allow time for the application to be processed, taking into account the date you are intending to travel to Australia.

From 19 November 2016, the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) no longer includes an Invited Participant stream.

What this visa lets you do

    • This visa lets you:
  • stay in Australia while your visa is valid (generally up to three months, but up to six months may be allowed in limited circumstances)
  • do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work for which you were granted the visa
  • in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests
  • bring members of your family with you to Australia, if they meet the requirements for including family members in your application. Your family members will not be allowed to work in Australia.

Combining a holiday with your intended work or activity may be allowed if the holiday is of short term duration and secondary to the main purpose of your visit.

Restrictions on this visa

  • Limitations on your work or activity
  • Course of study
  • Workplace-based training
  • Working in the entertainment industry
  • No further stay

Cost

From AUD 535 (from 1 July 2026)

    • You might have to pay additional costs for:
  • additional applicant 18 and over
  • additional applicant under 18

You might not need to pay this application charge if you are:

  • coming to Australia to act as a representative of a foreign government
  • listed in a legislative instrument (your inviting organisation will tell you if this applies to you).

Location

You and anyone included in your visa application must be outside Australia when the application is lodged and when it is decided.

How long the visas lasts

Generally this visa is granted for up to three months, but depending on your work or activity a longer period of up to six months might be allowed in limited circumstances.

We will assess how long you can stay based on your individual circumstances. Your visa will be valid during the stay period you have been granted, which will commence from the date you first enter Australia.

You must arrive in Australia within six months of the date the visa is granted, or within a shorter time-frame if granted.

Family

Each family member you want to bring with you to Australia must be included in your visa application.

These family members must meet the requirements for including family members in your application.

Your family members will need to lodge their own application for this or another visa if:

  • you do not include them in your visa application or
  • they want to work in Australia or
  • if you are a highly specialised worker and they want to study towards a formal qualification in Australia (except a language training programme).

Your obligations

You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

You must do only the work or activities for which your visa was granted.

You will need to lodge a new application for this visa if you want to:

  • participate in a different activity or activities than you listed in your application
  • work for an organisation that is not one of the organisations you identified in your application.

Have an organisation in Australia who will support your visa

You will need a letter of invitation, job offer or employment contract from an Australian organisation showing:

  • details of your position, duties, or project of work
  • the duration of your work
  • the reason why you are required in Australia
  • your employment conditions and wages
  • the Australian workplace standards or Industry Award that applies to your position

Workers in Australia, including visa holders with permission to work, have rights under Australian workplace law.

For information on pay rates, shift calculations, leave arrangements and notice and redundancy entitlements see Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT).

Some freelance work might be allowed (for example, a freelance journalist/photographer undertaking a media assignment). If you are doing this type of work, you will need to provide a copy of your itinerary and the details of your work assignment.

The Two Streams of the 400 Visa

The 400 visa has two streams. Most applicants use the first one.

Highly Specialised Work stream

This stream is for people with specialised skills, knowledge or experience that cannot reasonably be found in the Australian labour market. It suits managers, professionals, technicians and tradespeople who are needed for a specific, short piece of work, such as:

  • installing, commissioning, repairing or servicing specialised equipment or machinery
  • providing expert advice or troubleshooting on a project that needs knowledge not available locally
  • completing a defined stage of a project where the overseas specialist’s involvement is essential
  • delivering a lecture, master class or similar short engagement at the invitation of an Australian organisation

Australia’s Interest stream

This stream is for a limited range of activities where the applicant does not meet the highly specialised test, but there is a strong reason why their presence is in Australia’s interest. Examples include helping with disaster or emergency recovery, or activities that support Australia’s trade, foreign relations or other national interests. This stream is assessed case by case and is not a general alternative for work that fails the highly specialised test.

What Counts as “Highly Specialised” Work?

The work must need skills that are genuinely hard to find in Australia. Home Affairs looks at the role, not just the person’s job title or seniority. Routine work in an occupation that many Australian workers already do is unlikely to qualify, even if the overseas worker is very experienced.

Factors that usually strengthen an application include:

  • the applicant has knowledge of proprietary equipment, software or processes that local workers have not been trained in
  • the overseas manufacturer or supplier requires its own technicians to do the work, for example to keep a warranty in place
  • the work is short, defined and linked to a particular project, installation or event
  • the Australian organisation can explain why it could not use local staff or contractors

Factors that often cause problems include general labouring or trade work, filling a vacancy that an Australian business normally recruits for, and open-ended “as needed” support with no clear end point.

What “Non-Ongoing” Means and Repeat Visits

The 400 visa is for non-ongoing work. In practice this means the work should be finished within a continuous period of six months or less, and you should have no plan or expectation of continuing to work in Australia after your visa ends.

Home Affairs looks at your travel history as well as the current trip. If you have held several 400 visas, or spend a large part of each year in Australia doing similar work, your new application may be refused because the pattern suggests the work is really ongoing. Where an Australian business needs your skills on a regular or long-term basis, an employer sponsored visa such as the Skills in Demand (482) visa is usually the right option.

400 vs 408, 407, 600 and 482: Choosing the Right Visa

The 400 is often confused with other short stay visas. Choosing the wrong visa can lead to a refusal or to working in breach of your visa conditions.

Visa Best suited to Can you work?
400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Short, non-ongoing, highly specialised work, or limited activities in Australia’s interest Yes, but only the work or activity the visa was granted for
408 Temporary Activity Specific activities such as entertainment, sport, research, religious work, special programs and approved events Yes, within the activity and stream
407 Training Workplace based training to improve your skills in your occupation or field Training only, under an approved training plan
600 Visitor (Business Visitor stream) Business visitor activities such as meetings, conferences and contract negotiations No. Business visitor activities are allowed, but doing work is not
482 Skills in Demand Ongoing skilled roles with an approved employer sponsor Yes, in the nominated position

A common mistake is to travel on a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authority to do hands-on work, such as installing or repairing equipment. Attending meetings is a business visitor activity, but carrying out the installation is work and generally needs a work visa such as the 400.

How to Apply for the 400 Visa: Step by Step

  1. Confirm the 400 is the right visa. Check that the work is short, non-ongoing and highly specialised, and that a 408, 407 or employer sponsored visa is not a better fit.
  2. Plan the length of stay. Ask for the time the work really needs. If more than three months is required, prepare a strong business case.
  3. Get a support letter from the Australian organisation. It should explain the work, why your skills are needed and why they cannot be sourced locally.
  4. Gather your evidence. See the checklist below.
  5. Lodge online from outside Australia. You and any family members included in the application must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.
  6. Respond to any requests. Home Affairs may ask for more information, health checks or police certificates. Reply by the deadline given.
  7. Travel within the entry date and keep to your conditions. Only do the work the visa was granted for, and leave Australia before your permitted stay ends.

Document Checklist

From the applicant:

  • passport
  • a curriculum vitae showing your relevant work history
  • qualifications, licences, certificates or manufacturer training records that show your specialist skills
  • a letter from your overseas employer confirming your role, the purpose of the trip and who is paying your salary and costs
  • evidence that you can support yourself (and any family members) during the stay
  • evidence of your ties to your home country, which helps show you will stay temporarily

From the Australian organisation:

  • a support or invitation letter describing the work, the location, the start and end dates and why your skills are needed
  • details of the project, contract or equipment involved, where relevant
  • an explanation of why the work cannot be done by Australian workers, ideally with evidence of attempts to find local staff or contractors
  • for stays over three months, information about pay and conditions and the impact on Australian jobs, as part of the business case

Documents that are not in English should be translated into English.

Information for Australian Businesses

The Australian organisation does not need to be an approved business sponsor, and there is no nomination or Skilling Australians Fund levy for the 400 visa. However, the organisation’s evidence is often what decides the application, so a clear, specific support letter matters.

Australian workplace laws still apply. Visa holders working in Australia have the same basic workplace rights as other workers, and any licence or registration needed for the work (for example for electrical or other regulated trades) must be in place before the work starts.

If you regularly bring in overseas specialists, it is worth planning ahead. Repeated 400 applications for the same people or the same type of work attract scrutiny. Our corporate immigration assessment can help you work out whether a 400, a 482 or another visa suits your workforce needs.

Common Reasons 400 Visas Are Refused

  • The work is not highly specialised, or the skills are readily available in Australia.
  • The work looks ongoing, for example because of a history of frequent or long stays.
  • The support letter is generic and does not explain the specific task, dates and reasons.
  • A stay of more than three months is requested without a strong business case.
  • The applicant does not show enough funds or ties to their home country to satisfy the genuine temporary stay requirement.
  • The application is lodged while the applicant is in Australia, which is not allowed.

If you are unsure whether your situation fits, our 400 visa assessment is a good starting point.

More Questions About the 400 Visa

Can I extend my 400 visa while I am in Australia?

No. The 400 visa cannot be applied for in Australia. If the work takes longer than planned, you would generally need to leave Australia and apply again from outside, or consider a different visa. Many 400 visas also carry a “No Further Stay” condition, which limits the visas you can apply for while in Australia.

Can I do other work while I am in Australia on a 400 visa?

No. You can only do the work or activity your visa was granted for. If your Australian host asks you to take on a different project or role, check with us before starting, as this could breach your visa conditions.

Does the Australian company need to sponsor me?

No formal sponsorship is needed. The Australian organisation supports your application with a letter and evidence, but it does not have to become an approved sponsor or lodge a nomination.

Is the 400 visa a pathway to permanent residence?

No. The 400 visa is strictly temporary and you must intend to leave when your work is finished. If an Australian employer wants to keep you long term, an employer sponsored visa such as the 482 or the 186 would need to be considered separately.

Can I come to Australia on a visitor visa instead?

Only if you will be doing business visitor activities, such as attending meetings or a conference. If you will be doing hands-on work, such as installing, repairing or servicing equipment, you will generally need a work visa such as the 400.

Employer sponsored visa guides

Am I eligible for a 400 visa?

Domestic workers

Domestic workers accompanying their employer/family household travelling to Australia for tourism or a business visit should apply for the subclass 600 Visitor (Tourist or Business Visitor stream) visa until further notice.

Domestic workers need to accompany their employer when travelling to Australia and should have the same travel itinerary as their employer.

Any subclass 400 domestic worker visa applications already lodged will continue to be processed under subclass 400 visa requirements.

6 month 400 visa

For a 6 month subclass 400 visa the department of immigration will assess the following:

  • evidence as to the nature, size, duration and importance of the project to the local community, and any potential impacts on the business/community should the project not be able to proceed, including employment opportunities for Australian workers
  • the number of Australians being employed on the project and/or by the business
  • evidence that specialist advice/expertise from overseas is required: this may include evidence from an employment agency of a shortage of similarly qualified persons in Australia
  • whether there are contractual obligations relating to the installation/servicing of a piece of equipment (for example, whether the work must be installed or serviced by an overseas provider)
  • evidence provided by the applicant’s proposed employer that they have tried to hire an Australian to do the proposed work (for example, evidence of job search, training programmes, letter of support from relevant union)
  • any arrangements for an Australian worker to be trained to do the proposed work over a longer period
  • Information that indicates there is no time for an Australian to be trained to do the proposed work (although over a longer period this would be expected)
  • evidence that the applicant’s employment conditions satisfy Australian workplace standards.
  • In general, senior executives (such as CEOs and vice presidents) of multinational corporations who are:
  • based overseas with management oversight of Australian subsidiaries and
  • are passport holders of eligible ETA/eVisitor countries with similar work/pay conditions to Australia
  • are considered a low risk caseload and may be granted a six month stay period without further enquiry.

400 visa FAQ

A Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400), Highly Specialised Work stream, is for people who want to travel to Australia to do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work or activity at the invitation of an Australian organisation. A stay period of up to three months is allowed.

The key differences between the 400 Visa compared to the 482 Visa is that subclass 400 visa allows for entry for a non-ongoing stay period of a maximum of 6 months. A subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa allows entry to Australia for an ongoing position for up to four years.

Subclass 400 Visa holders can apply for other visas, such as the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), if they meet the requirements. An application can usually be made in Australia, unless the 400 visa has a “No Further Stay” condition (8503). If it does, you will generally need to apply from outside Australia or ask for the condition to be waived.

The Subclass 400 Visa is a temporary visa allowing skilled people to enter Australia for short-term, highly specialised work.

Each family member you want to bring with you to Australia must be included in your visa application (even if they will join you later in Australia). You must provide evidence of their relationship to you. Your family members must also meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

The average timetable for processing”Decision Ready” applications is between 2 – 4 weeks. Applications which have not been completed correctly or supported with all relevant documents will take longer if Department of Home Affairs case officers need to request additional documents or need to verify information.

For a Short Stay Specialist visa we generally charge AUD$2,000.

Related guides

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