You are here: / Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

  • Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

    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 in or observing 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 has 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 eligibility 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 their sponsorship obligations for you and all dependent family members included in your application.

408 Visa – Cost

Applications for 408 visas cost from AUD 535 (from 1 July 2026). Some events and programs are exempt from the charge.

Supporter or Sponsor: Which Do You Need?

Every 408 application needs backing from someone in Australia, but the type of backing depends on how long you will stay and where you apply from.

  • Supporter: If you are outside Australia and staying for three months or less, an organisation or person in Australia that is responsible for the activity can support your application. The supporter does not need prior approval from Home Affairs, but it must pass the support test and usually provides a letter setting out the activity and its role.
  • Sponsor: If you will stay longer than three months, or you are applying from inside Australia, you need a temporary activities sponsor. The organisation must be approved as a sponsor before it can sponsor you, and it takes on legal sponsor obligations.
  • Government endorsement: The Australian Government Endorsed Events stream works differently. Instead of a sponsor or supporter, the event must be endorsed by the government, and you need evidence that you are part of that event.

Some streams have extra rules about who can act as a supporter or sponsor. For example, religious work must be backed by a religious organisation, and special programs need an organisation running an approved program.

Choosing the Right 408 Stream

Choosing the wrong stream is one of the most common reasons a 408 application fails. Use the table below as a starting point, then read the guide for your stream.

Stream Who it suits
Entertainment Activities Performers, film and television cast and crew, and support staff for live or recorded productions
Sporting Activities Athletes, coaches, instructors and officials, including those joining Australian clubs or competitions
Research Activities Academics and researchers invited to observe or take part in research at an Australian institution
Staff Exchange Skilled staff coming under a formal exchange arrangement between an Australian organisation and an overseas organisation
Religious Work People coming to do full-time religious work for a religious organisation
Special Program Young people and others taking part in approved youth exchange, cultural or community programs
Invited Participant People invited by an Australian organisation to take part in a social or cultural event, such as a conference or exhibition
Superyacht Crew Crew members working on a superyacht in Australia
Domestic Work for Executives Domestic workers employed by certain senior foreign executives living in Australia
Australian Government Endorsed Events Participants in major events that the Australian Government has endorsed

If your activity does not clearly fit one stream, get advice before you lodge. A different visa, such as the 400 or 407, may suit you better.

How to Apply for the 408 Visa: Step by Step

  1. Pick the stream. Match the activity to the right stream and check its maximum stay.
  2. Arrange support or sponsorship. For short stays from outside Australia, obtain a letter from your supporter. For longer stays or applications in Australia, the organisation must be an approved temporary activities sponsor first. Depending on the stream, a nomination may also be needed.
  3. Gather your documents. See the checklist below.
  4. Lodge online and pay the visa application charge. Family members can usually be included in the same application.
  5. Health and character checks. Complete any health examinations and provide police certificates if requested.
  6. Decision. If granted, check your conditions and the period you can stay before you travel or start the activity.

Document Checklist

For the applicant:

  • passport and any change of name documents
  • evidence of the skills or experience needed for the activity, such as a CV, qualifications, references, performance or competition history
  • details of the activity, including dates, location and your role
  • evidence of funds or support during your stay, such as bank statements, a contract or a letter setting out allowances
  • evidence of health insurance for your whole stay
  • evidence of ties to your home country and your plans after the activity, to show a genuine temporary stay
  • evidence of English, if your stream requires it
  • relationship and identity documents for any family members included

From the supporter or sponsor:

  • a support letter (short stays from outside Australia) or the sponsorship details and a statement that the sponsor will meet its obligations (longer stays or applications in Australia)
  • any agreement, invitation, program approval or endorsement that the stream requires

Documents that are not in English must be translated into English by an accredited translator.

Cost Example: A Main Applicant With a Partner and Child

Using the government charges from 1 July 2026, the charges for a sponsored applicant with a partner and one child under 18 would be:

Charge Paid by Amount (AUD)
Visa application, main applicant Applicant $535
Visa application, partner Applicant $535
Visa application, child under 18 Applicant $135
Temporary activities sponsorship (if a sponsor is needed and not already approved) Sponsor $420
Total government charges $1,625

If the stream needs a nomination, a nomination fee of $170 applies. If the subsequent temporary application charge applies, $700 is added for each person it applies to. Health insurance, health examinations, police certificates, translations and professional fees are extra. An applicant with a supporter rather than a sponsor does not pay the sponsorship fee.

Conditions on the 408 Visa

  • Work is limited to the activity. The main applicant can generally only work in the activity arranged by the sponsor or supporter, and not for another employer or for themselves.
  • Health insurance. You need adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay.
  • No further stay. Some 408 visas are granted with a “no further stay” condition. If yours has one, you generally cannot apply for most other visas while in Australia.
  • Family members. Conditions on family members, including whether they can work or study, are shown on their grant notices. Check these before making plans.

Breaching a condition can lead to cancellation of the visa and can affect future applications.

408 vs 400 and 407: Which Visa Fits?

Visa Best suited to Typical stay
408 Temporary Activity Specific activities in one of the ten streams, such as sport, entertainment, research or religious work Up to 3 months to up to 4 years, depending on the stream
400 Short Stay Specialist Short, highly specialised work that cannot reasonably be done by someone in Australia Usually up to 3 months
407 Training Structured workplace training or professional development Up to 2 years

None of these visas is designed for ongoing work. If you want to work long term for an Australian employer, an employer sponsored visa is usually the better path.

408 Processing Times

Processing times vary a lot between streams. Short event based applications are often decided within weeks, while research and religious work applications can take several months. Lodge as early as you can, and make sure the support or sponsorship is in order first, because missing sponsor details are a common cause of delay. Check our visa processing times page for the latest published figures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing a stream that does not match the actual activity.
  • Using a supporter when a sponsor is required, for example for a stay of more than three months or an application made in Australia.
  • Weak evidence of a genuine temporary stay, particularly after earlier visas in Australia.
  • Asking for a stay longer than the activity needs.
  • Not showing enough funds or support for yourself and your family.
  • Doing paid work outside the approved activity.

Temporary Activity Visa 408: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a 408 visa from inside Australia?

In many streams, yes, as long as you hold a visa that allows you to apply and it does not have a “no further stay” condition. If you apply in Australia you will need a sponsor, not just a supporter.

Can I bring my family on a 408 visa?

Usually, yes. Your partner and dependent children can generally be included in your application. You must show you can support them during your stay, and each family member must meet health and character requirements.

Can I work for another employer on a 408 visa?

No. The visa is linked to the activity arranged by your sponsor or supporter. Other work is generally not allowed.

Can I get another 408 visa after this one ends?

It may be possible if there is a genuine new or continuing activity. However, the genuine temporary stay requirement is assessed carefully, and temporary residents generally cannot use the 408 visa to stay in Australia for more than four years in total.

Is the 408 visa a pathway to permanent residence?

No. It is a temporary visa for a specific activity. Some holders later qualify for an employer sponsored or skilled visa, but that is a separate application with its own requirements.

Employer sponsored visa guides

Book a consultation to discuss your options

Book a meeting with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne for a commitment-free consultation covering all your Australian visa options.