Skilled · Subclass 408
Temporary Activity visa
Short-term work in a specific activity: entertainment, sport, religious work, research, staff exchange, special programs, invited events, superyacht crew, domestic work for executives and Government endorsed events.
Who it is for
People coming to Australia to do a specific type of work on a short-term, temporary basis, supported or sponsored by an Australian organisation. There are ten streams; each has its own activity rules and maximum stay.
Key eligibility
- Have the skills to do the activity, and meet the extra requirements of your stream.
- A supporter, or a temporary activities sponsor. You usually need a sponsor if you apply in Australia, or apply outside Australia and plan to stay more than 3 months; otherwise a supporter is enough. Some streams differ (for example the Invited Participant stream).
- Enough money to support yourself and any family who come with you.
- Adequate health insurance for the whole stay, a genuine temporary stay, health and character.
- If you apply in Australia you must hold a substantive visa, or your last one must have ceased within the last 28 days.
- Your activity must not harm the work, training or job conditions of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
In or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, for most streams. The visa cannot be extended; a further 408 is a new application where the stream allows it.
Streams
Entertainment Activities
Performers, production staff and support staff in film, television, live productions, non-profit productions and documentaries or commercials for an overseas market. Union consultation and, for film and television performers, an Arts certificate are needed. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 23 days, 90% in 47 days (read 22 October 2026).
Sporting Activities
Sports trainees at national or international level, and elite players, coaches, instructors and adjudicators endorsed by a national sporting body, with a formal agreement where required. Stay: Up to 2 years (local and regional players usually leave at season end). Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 16 days, 90% in 4 months (read 22 October 2026).
Religious Work
Full-time religious work for a religious institution with tax-exempt charity status. Secular work such as administration is not allowed. A second 408 is possible, up to 4 years in total. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 3 months, 90% in 5 months (read 22 October 2026).
Research Activities
Established academic researchers, research students and recent graduates (within 12 months) invited to observe or take part in research at an Australian tertiary or research institution. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 15 months, 90% in 17 months (read 22 October 2026).
Staff Exchange Arrangements
Skilled staff on a written reciprocal exchange agreement with an Australian organisation, where the exchange benefits both participants. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 28 days, 90% in 52 days (read 22 October 2026).
Special Program
Participants in an approved special program: cultural enrichment or community benefit (18 or over), youth exchange (18 to 30), school language assistance (18 to 30) or school-to-school interchange (17 to 25). Stay: Usually up to 12 months. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 31 days, 90% in 56 days (read 22 October 2026).
Other Social and Cultural Activity (Invited Participant)
People invited by an Australian organisation to take part in a community-based social or cultural event, such as a sporting, religious, artistic or academic event or a conference. Stay: Up to 3 months. Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 4 days, 90% in 22 days (read 22 October 2026).
Australian Government Endorsed Events
Participants in events endorsed by the Australian Government. When checked, the listed event was the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (participants invited by the Australian Rugby League Commission; free for those participants). A workplace justice pathway also sits under this stream. Stay: Duration of the event, or up to 4 years depending on circumstances. Home Affairs stream page
The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa in this stream closed on 1 February 2024.
Superyacht Crew
Crew members aged 18 or over with a contract or owner's letter for a superyacht (a luxury vessel 24 metres or longer that carries no cargo and is used for sport or recreation). The supporter or sponsor must be the captain, owner or operator. Stay: Usually up to 12 months (stream maximum 2 years). Home Affairs stream page
Processing: 50% in 7 days, 90% in 35 days (read 22 October 2026).
Domestic Work for Executives
Experienced domestic workers aged 18 or over invited to work full time in the household of certain senior foreign executives, on pay and conditions that meet Australian law. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page
Your journey, step by step
First enquiry
You tell us your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent identifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
Confirm the stream
Match the activity to one of the ten streams and check whether you need a supporter or a sponsor.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent matches the activity to the right stream and checks the sponsor or supporter rules.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Sponsor or supporter steps
Where a sponsor is needed, the organisation applies to be a temporary activities sponsor and may lodge a nomination.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the sponsorship and checks the organisation's obligations.
Evidence
Contract or invitation, letter of support, funds, health insurance and stream-specific documents such as union consultation or an Arts certificate.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent assembles evidence that matches the stream criteria.
Lodge online
Lodge in ImmiAccount and pay the charge. Do not lodge in immigration clearance.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent lodges from the right place and tracks requests.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Grant and compliance
Do only the approved activity. If the activity ends, apply for another visa or leave within 28 days.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent explains the conditions and the itinerary change rules.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (all streams) | A$535 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$535 |
| Family member under 18 | A$135 |
| Subsequent temporary application charge, if applying in Australia | A$700 |
A nil charge can apply where the event organiser is a registered charity, foreign government agency, government agency or other organisation specified by the Minister. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. The Rugby League World Cup 2026 participant visa is free. Sponsorship and nomination fees are separate.
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs visa processing time guide, read 22 October 2026. Australian Government Endorsed Events and Domestic Work for Executives: processing times not available.. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Activity does not fit the stream chosen.
- No valid sponsor or supporter, or a sponsor needed but not approved.
- Missing contract, invitation, union consultation or Arts certificate.
- Not enough money or no adequate health insurance.
- Doubts about a genuine temporary stay, including long previous stays.
- Applying in Australia without holding a substantive visa (or within 28 days of one ending).
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
Charges rose: main applicant A$535. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Australian Government Endorsed Events stream lists the Rugby League World Cup 2026, free for participants.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.