Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

Temporary Activity Visa (408 Visa)

The 408 Visa allows you to come to Australia on a temporary basis to do specific, short-term work. For example:

working in the entertainment industry
participating in activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
participating or observe in an Australian research project
working in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
participating in high-level sports competitions or sports training programs
participating in a special programme approved by the Department for Home Affairs (DOHA) that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits
full-time religious work
employment as a superyacht crew member
full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives

Who can apply for a 408 Visa?

You may be able to submit an application for a 408 Visa if:

you have the skills to undertake the activity to be carried out in Australia
you intend to stay in Australia for three months or less, providing that:
- you apply from outside Australia
- you have the support of an organisation or individual in Australia which as passed the ‘support test’ and which has responsibility for the event or activity you intend to take part in
intend to stay in Australia for more than three months, providing that:
- you can get an approved sponsor who has passed the sponsorship test
you can demonstrate that you can adequately provide financial support to yourself and your family while you are in Australia
you can demonstrate that you have made adequate arrangements for health insurance while you are in Australia
you meet the standard health and character requirements for an Australian visa
you can demonstrate that you genuinely intend to remain in Australia on a temporary basis, and only to do the work or activity specified in your application
meet the additional requirements of the relevant 408 Visa stream

408 Visa Streams

There are several distinct streams which offer a Subclass 408 Visa, each targeted at a specific type of temporary activity and with differing characteristics such as maximum stay and eligibilty requirements. These 408 visa streams are:

408 Visa – Length of stay

How long you will be permitted to stay in Australia on a 408 Visa will depend on your reason for applying:

Australian Government-endorsed activities or events – up to 4 years
sporting, entertainment, research or religious activities – up to 2 years
domestic work, staff exchange – up to 2 years
DOHA-approved special programs e.g. youth exchange, community programs, gap year volunteering – up to 12 months
invited participation in other social and cultural activities e.g. community events – up to 3 months

Genuine Temporary Entrants

The genuine temporary entrant requirement (GTE) is an integrity measure designed to ensure that temporary visa programmes like the 408 Visa 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 in Australia beyond four years.

The GTE requirement applies to all Subclass 408 temporary activity visa applicants. The officer assessing the 408 Visa application will consider whether each applicant’s individual circumstances sufficiently demonstrates that their intention is only to stay in Australia on a temporary basis.

Financial support

When applying for a Subclass 408 Visa, you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to financially support yourself and any accompanying family members. To do this, you should be prepared to provide evidence of your financial position, such as bank statements, an employment contract or a letter from your employer setting out any assistance they may be offering (e.g. accommodation or additional travel allowances).

408 Visa – English language requirements

Applicants for the Subclass 408 Visa ‘Special Program’ 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.

408 Visa – Sponsor Information

If you intend to stay in Australia for more than three months, or if you are applying for a Subclass 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 theit sponsorship obligations for you and all dependent family members included in your application.