Research Activities 408 Visa

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa supports academic collaboration and professional exchange between Australia and overseas institutions. It provides opportunities for researchers, research students, and professionals to come to Australia for short-term research projects or staff exchange arrangements that benefit both Australian and international organisations.

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🎓 Research and Research (Student) Streams

The Research stream and Research (student) stream allow academics, researchers, and postgraduate students to conduct or observe research at an Australian tertiary or research institution.

These visa streams are designed to foster international collaboration, innovation, and academic exchange by enabling overseas researchers and students to engage in Australian-based projects alongside Australian academics and institutions.

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🧾 Sponsorship and Support Requirements

Applicants must be invited by an Australian tertiary or research institution that is lawfully operating in Australia. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances:

• For stays longer than three months, the Australian institution must be an approved temporary activities sponsor; or

• For stays of up to three months (where the applicant applies from outside Australia), the institution must meet the support test.

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🏫 Eligible Australian Institutions

Under policy, eligible Australian institutions include:

• Universities;

• Colleges of Advanced Education;

• TAFE institutions; and

• Research organisations (such as the CSIRO, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, or Defence Science and Technology Group).

Research may also be conducted through privately funded organisations, provided the activity meets the visa criteria and involves collaboration with Australian academics or researchers.

To qualify, the research must:

• Be undertaken in Australia;

• Be collaborative with Australian citizens or permanent residents; and

• Result in outputs (papers, reports, or findings) being shared with the Australian institution.

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🔬 The Research Stream

This stream is for experienced academics or researchers who are currently employed, or were previously employed, at a recognised tertiary or research institution overseas.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be invited to observe or participate in an Australian research project;

• Collaborate with academics at the Australian institution;

• Have a significant record of achievement in their field; and

• Provide a formal invitation or offer letter from the Australian institution detailing:

  • The nature of the research project;

  • Duration of the engagement;

  • Collaborating Australian academics;

  • Terms of remuneration (if applicable); and

  • Any dependants accompanying the applicant.

Who Is Considered an Academic?

The term academic includes positions such as:

• Professor (including emeritus or adjunct)

• Associate or Assistant Professor

• Senior Lecturer or Lecturer

• Research Fellow or equivalent research positions

Applicants should demonstrate a record of academic achievement, such as published peer-reviewed research, teaching history, or contributions to their field.

This visa stream is not intended for:

• Teaching or lecturing positions (consider a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa); or

• Postgraduate training or work experience (consider a Subclass 407 Training visa).

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🎓 The Research (Student) Stream

This stream is designed for students or recent graduates from foreign educational institutions who wish to undertake research in Australia that is closely related to their field of study.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within the past 12 months) from a foreign educational institution;

• Be invited to conduct research at an Australian tertiary or research institution; and

• Undertake research closely aligned with their studies.

Common Scenarios Include:

• Students completing research that forms part of their overseas qualification;

• Recent master’s or PhD graduates awarded a research fellowship in Australia;

• Researchers employed overseas conducting related academic research under Australian supervision.

Research students are typically supervised by senior academics or researchers at the Australian host institution, ensuring a genuine academic collaboration.

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📘 Secondary Academic Activities

While on a Research stream 408 visa, researchers may engage in secondary activities such as lecturing or tutoring within their area of expertise, provided it is secondary to their main research project.
These activities must be declared in the visa application and supported by the sponsoring institution.

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💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can sponsor a Research or Staff Exchange visa?
Australian tertiary or research institutions, or other approved organisations such as universities, research agencies, and government departments.

2. Can I teach while on a Research visa?
Yes, but only as a secondary activity related to your research and within your academic expertise. It must be declared in your application.

3. How long can I stay on a Subclass 408 Research or Exchange visa?
The visa is generally granted for the duration of your research project or exchange, up to a maximum of two years.

4. Can students apply for the Research (student) stream?
Yes. Students currently enrolled or recently graduated from overseas universities can undertake supervised research in Australia related to their field of study.

5. What is required for a staff exchange agreement?
A written agreement outlining both participants, their roles, and how each will benefit from the exchange — signed by both organisations involved.