Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

• The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) is for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake one of the following activities:

• Entertainer: to work in the entertainment industry in film, television or live productions in either a performance or behind-the-scenes role, such as directing, producing and other production roles.
• Invited participant: for people who are invited for stays up to 3 months by an organisation operating in Australia to participate in a specific cultural or social event or events. For example, conferences, sporting, religious and other community events.
• Researcher:
  • to participate or observe in an Australian research project after being invited to do so.
  • to undertake a research activity at an Australian tertiary or research institution related to your field of study.
• Religious worker: to be a full-time religious worker, serving the religious objectives of a religious institution in Australia.
• Special program: to participate in an approved special program that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits.
• Sport:
  • play, coach or instruct or adjudicate under contract to an Australian sporting club or organisation
  • participate in a high-level sports training program
• Exchange: to work in a skilled position under a reciprocal staff exchange arrangement to:
  • give participants an opportunity to experience another culture
  • enhance international relations
  • broaden participants’ experience and knowledge.
• Superyacht crew: to be employed as a superyacht crew member on board a superyacht in Australia.
• Domestic worker (executive): to work full time in the household of certain senior foreign executives.
• Australian Government endorsed event: to participate in a government endorsed major event. COVID-19 Pandemic event visa

• This visa requires sponsorship if:

• your stay in Australia is for more than three months
• you apply in Australia.

There is no nomination required for this visa.

This is a temporary visa. You can be in or outside Australian when you apply for this visa and when the visa is granted.

Applying in Australia

If you apply in Australia you must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor or sponsor who passes the sponsorship test.

Applying outside Australia

If you apply from outside Australia and you intend to stay in Australia for three months or less, the organisation or individual in Australia who has responsibility for the events/activities you will be involved in must pass the support test.

If you apply from outside Australia and you intend to stay in Australia for more than three months you must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor or sponsor who passes the sponsorship test.

This visa allows you to:

• stay in Australia for the period that aligns with the activities that you have been approved to undertake on this visa. The maximum stay periods allowed are:
  • Invited participant activity type – up to three months
  • Australian Government endorsed event activity type – up to four years
  • Any other activity type – up to two years
• do the work or activity specified in your application
• bring eligible family members with you to Australia
• enter and leave Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.

Note: For some activity types such as superyacht crew members and special program participants, the stay period is usually no more than 12 months.

Temporary visa holders are generally not able to extend their stay in Australia beyond four years by applying for this visa.