Overseas Players for Local Sports Clubs: The Two Player Limit for 408 Visas

Many local cricket, football, rugby, hockey and basketball clubs bring in an overseas player or player coach for the season. The usual visa is the 408 sports visa (Sport activity type). But the Department of Home Affairs limits how many overseas professionals a club in a local or regional competition can have, and it looks closely at contracts and side jobs. This guide is for clubs and players planning a season.

The two player limit

Two is the usual ceiling for local and regional clubs. Under policy, the Department does not support more than two overseas sports professionals contracted to a club playing in local or regional competitions. The idea is that an overseas professional should lift the skills of local players and encourage participation, not take their places.

More than two may be considered where:

• the club runs several sports, and each sport would benefit from an overseas professional; or
• the club is large enough to have several teams in the top tier of the local or regional competition.

The limit does not apply to clubs competing at national level. The Department can also contact the club directly, for example if it already has two 408 visa holders on contract.

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What the player needs

• An invitation and formal arrangement: a contract with the club for a set period, normally legally enforceable in Australia;
• National body endorsement: a letter from the national sporting body for the sport in Australia certifying that the player can play, coach, instruct or adjudicate at Australian national level. See national sporting body endorsement;
• A sponsor or supporter: the club is a supporter if the player applies from outside Australia for 3 months or less, otherwise the club must be an approved temporary activities sponsor;
• Health insurance and funds: adequate health insurance and enough support for the stay.

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What the contract should cover

A clear contract helps the application. It usually sets out:

• the contract period;
• pay, including any payment in kind such as accommodation, meals and a car, or a statement that the role is voluntary;
• duties and expected weekly hours;
• any other sporting work with a different organisation;
• when the contract can be ended;
• whether family members are covered.

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No other jobs

A 408 sports visa only allows the contracted sporting activity: playing, coaching, instructing or adjudicating. Typical club jobs such as bar work and grounds work are not sporting activities, so a player cannot do them on this visa. The Department keeps this in mind when it looks at whether the player has enough money to live on. A player can coach or play for another sporting organisation if it is disclosed in the application with a formal agreement, and the club can still meet its sponsor obligations.

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Season dates and length of stay

The visa is usually granted for the season, with some time before for pre season training and a short period afterwards to wrap up. Staying in Australia between seasons is generally not consistent with the visa, especially for sport below national level. See 408 sports visa length of stay.

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National level clubs

Clubs in national competitions can bring in more overseas professionals, and fully professional contracted players may also use a 400 visa for short stays or a Skills in Demand 482 visa for longer contracts. See 482 and 186 visas for sports coaches and athletes.

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What you should do now

• Count your overseas players: two is the usual limit for local and regional clubs.
• Request the endorsement early: national sporting bodies have their own processes and timeframes.
• Write a full contract: include pay in kind, hours and any second sporting role.
• Avoid side jobs: the player can only do the contracted sporting work.