Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa

Employer Sponsored Visas
Key Considerations
Common Questions
Service Options

Get Advice on a 408 Visa

Need Help? Book a Strategy Session

Subclass 408

Temporary Activity Visa

The Subclass 408 is a temporary visa that allows people to come to Australia for specific, short-term activities or work that does not fall under standard skilled migration or work visa categories. It is a broad and flexible visa covering a wide range of activities — from entertainment and sport to religious work and cultural exchange. It is not a pathway to permanent residency and is designed strictly for temporary stays.

Who Is It For?

Unlike most employer-sponsored visas which focus on filling skill shortages, the 408 is centred around the nature of the activity itself. It suits individuals invited to participate in specific events, programs, or roles that are genuine, time-limited, and cannot be accommodated under other visa types.

Get Advice

We can help you with the most up-to-date and detailed guidance for your specific case.

Activity Streams

The visa covers several distinct categories of activity:

Entertainment

for those working in film, television, or live productions, whether in a performance capacity or in a behind-the-scenes role such as directing or producing.

Invited Participant

for individuals invited by an Australian organisation to take part in a specific cultural, social, sporting, religious, or community event for a stay of up to three months

Research

for academics or professionals invited to observe or participate in a research project at an Australian university or research institution.

Religious Work

for those undertaking full-time religious duties on behalf of a recognised religious institution in Australia.

Special Programs

for participants in government-approved programs that deliver youth exchange, cultural enrichment, or broader community benefit.

Australian Government Endorsed Events

for participants in major government-endorsed events such as international conferences or large-scale cultural festivals.

Domestic Work

in limited circumstances, for household domestic workers employed by certain senior foreign executives based in Australia.

Key Considerations

Key Requirements

Applicants must genuinely intend to stay in Australia only for the duration of the approved activity. The Department applies a Genuine Temporary Entrant assessment to all 408 applications, meaning officers will examine whether the applicant’s personal circumstances and intentions are consistent with a genuinely temporary stay. Adequate health insurance for the full duration of the stay is required, as is evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members. Health and character requirements also apply.

Sponsorship

Most applicants require an approved sponsor. The sponsoring organisation must be an Australian business, government agency, foreign government trade or diplomatic office operating in Australia, a recognised sporting body, or an ATO-recognised religious organisation. Sponsorship is mandatory for anyone applying from inside Australia or from overseas where the intended stay exceeds three months. Individuals cannot self-sponsor under any stream of this visa.

What You Cannot Do

Holders are restricted to the specific activity approved at the time of grant. They cannot take up general employment, work for a different organisation, or extend the visa simply to remain in Australia. The 408 is not designed as a stopgap to maintain ongoing residency and the Department takes a close look at applications that appear to be motivated by a desire to stay in Australia rather than participate in a genuine activity.

Visa Duration

The length of the visa depends on the activity type. Those invited to a specific event are generally granted up to three months. Participants in government-related activities can be granted up to four years. Most other activities fall somewhere in between, typically up to two years. Regardless of the activity, the visa cannot generally be used to extend a stay in Australia beyond four years in total.

No Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 408 visas does not directly lead to permanent residency. However, the experience and connections gained during a 408 stay can sometimes support a future skilled migration strategy, particularly for those who use the time to build relationships with Australian employers or institutions.

Get Advice

We can help you with the most up-to-date and detailed guidance for your specific case.

Visa Submissions

1 %

Visa Approvals

1 +

Years of Experience

1 %

Client Satisfaction

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Common Questions To 408 408 Temporary Activity Visa

Considering whether a 408 Temporary Activity Visa is right for you can be a daunting task.  Here are some of the more common questions we get asked.

What are the prerequisites for a 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

How difficult is the process for a 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

As with all Visas, preparation is key. Having a sound strategy, collating and structuring documents as required by the department, and preparing submissions accurately are critical to minimise challenges during the process.

Contact Us to discuss your particular case to and map out a plan to achieve your immigration goals.

How much does a 408 Temporary Activity Visa Cost?

Along with migration agency fees, government fees are payable and vary depending on circumstances, and may include registration, nomination, assessment and testing costs.

Contact Us to discuss your particular case to get an estimation of costs involved for you.

How do I begin?

The best first step is to Get Advice from an experienced professional in Immigration Law.

Contact Us to discuss your particular case to and map out a plan to achieve your immigration goals.

LEARN MORE

HOW CAN RELIABLE IMMIGRATION SERVICE HELP YOU

Service Options

Get Advice

As a starting point, we can offer you advice on your immigration legal matter so you can make an informed decision.

Visa Strategy Planning

For a more comprehensive plan, book a time to develop a immigration strategy to achieve your goals.

Professional Visa Service

For your peace of mind, we can take care of your visa matter from start to finish and expertly guide you through the entire process.

Document Review

If you have already prepared documents we can review and provide recommendations on how best to improve your visa submission.

DIY Products

We offer templates, step-by-step guides and other supporting tools for people who prefer to do their own submissions.

Visa Refusal / Appeals

We offer expert review and counsel on visa refusals and advice on options and appeal options.

Contact Us

We can provide advice, strategic planning, document review, DIY templates and guides, as well as end-to-end management of your visa matter.

Navigate Your Migration Journey With Confidence With Reliable Immigration Service

Book Your FREE Initial Assessment

FREE INITIAL ASSESSMENT