Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)

Temporary Activity Visa allows you to come to Australia on a temporary basis to participate in various short stay activities.

Eligibility streams for this Visa

Entertainment: 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. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years.

Invited participant in an event: For people who are invited by an organisation operating in Australia to participate in a specific cultural or social event or events. For example, conferences, sporting, religious or other community events. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 3 months.

Research: Academics with significant achievement in their field of endeavour who are invited to collaborate in a research project; or Students or research graduates who wish to undertake a research activity related to their field of study. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years.

Religious worker: To be a full-time religious worker, serving the religious objectives of a religious institution in Australia. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years.

Special program: To participate in an approved special program that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits, non-profit organisation or government agency. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 12 months.

Sports: To be able to:

• Play, coach or instruct, or adjudicate under contract to an Australian sporting club or organisation;
• Participate in a high-level sports training program;
• Receiving training from a team operating at the national level.

The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years.

Staff 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.
• The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years.

Superyacht crew: To be employed as a superyacht crew member on board a superyacht in Australia. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 12 months.

Domestic worker: To do full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives. The maximum stay period for this stream is up to 2 years. 

Australian Government endorsed event: To participate in a government endorsed major event usually specified by legislative instrument.  Unlike the other options, this stream does not require sponsorship and results in a visa of up to 4 years duration. 

Eligibility for Applicants

• Meet age requirements (if applicable)
• Have the skills to undertake the activity
• Be supported or sponsored
• Intend to stay in Australia temporarily
• Meet vocational English Requirement (if applicable)
• Have adequate financial support
• Have adequate arrangement for health insurance
• Meet health and character requirements
• Meet additional requirements of chosen activity stream
• Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

For visa applicant under any activity type there must be a:

• ‘Sponsor’ who passes the sponsorship test in relation to the applicant; or
• ‘Supporter’ who passes the support test in relation to the applicant where the application is made offshore and the proposed period of stay is up to 3 months.

Applicants need to do the work or activity specified in their visa application. You can either be in Australia or outside Australia while lodging the application. We can assist you in preparing your visa applications and required documents.

Eligibility for Sponsors

The sponsor applicant must be one of the following types of individuals or organisations:

• Australian organisation
• Government agency
• Foreign government agency
• Religious institution
• Sporting organisation
• Superyacht organisation

Advantages of Subclass 408 visa

• Stay in Australia
• Participate in specified work or activity
• Bring eligible family members to Australia
• Enter and leave Australia as many times