Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

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Subclass 400

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

The Subclass 400 is a short-stay temporary visa designed for people with highly specialised skills, knowledge, or experience that is not readily available in the Australian labour market. It allows them to come to Australia to carry out specific, time-limited work for an Australian business. It is one of the most streamlined temporary work visas available — there is no requirement for formal employer sponsorship or a nomination process, making it faster and simpler to arrange than most other work-related visas.

Who Is It For?

The 400 is best suited to specialists being brought in for a defined project, task, or assignment that is urgent, time-critical, or highly niche. Common examples include technical experts installing or repairing imported equipment, international consultants with company-specific knowledge, specialists conducting emergency work, or senior professionals invited to contribute to a specific business activity that cannot be fulfilled locally.

It is important to note that the entertainment industry is specifically excluded from this visa. Performers, directors, and production crew members working on productions to be shown in Australia must apply through the Subclass 408 instead.

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Key Considerations

No Formal Sponsorship Required

Unlike most other work visas, the 400 does not require the employer to be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or to lodge a formal nomination. This makes the 400 considerably faster to arrange for businesses needing to bring someone in at short notice.

The Work Must Be Non-Ongoing

A central requirement of this visa is that the work must be genuinely non-ongoing — meaning it is expected to be completed within the visa period, and the applicant has no intention of remaining in Australia beyond that for work-related reasons. The Department assesses this carefully and will not grant the visa where the role appears to be an ongoing position dressed up as a short-term engagement. The work must also fall within the managerial, professional, or trade classifications under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, or 3) or relate to skills specific to an international company such as installing imported equipment, after-sales service, or emergency repairs.

Key Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that their skills and experience are genuinely specialised and not generally available in Australia, provide evidence of the work they will be undertaking and a letter of support from the Australian business, meet health and character requirements, hold adequate health insurance, and satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement — meaning they must demonstrate a clear intention to leave Australia once the work is complete. The work must also fall within the managerial, professional, or trade classifications under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, or 3) or relate to skills specific to an international company such as installing imported equipment, after-sales service, or emergency repairs.

Visa Duration

The standard grant period is up to three months. In limited and genuinely exceptional circumstances, the Department may grant up to six months where a compelling business case is made — but this is not automatic and is at the discretion of the assessing officer. The visa cannot be extended beyond six months, and importantly, applicants cannot spend more than six months in Australia in total across any twelve-month period under this visa. Multiple back-to-back 400 visas are no longer permitted.

Must Apply from Outside Australia

Applicants must be outside Australia both when they apply and when the visa is granted. This is a firm requirement — someone already in Australia cannot switch to a Subclass 400 from within the country.

Family Members

Eligible family members can be included in the application, though each must meet health and character requirements and pay the relevant visa application charge.

No Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Subclass 400 is a purely temporary visa and does not lead to permanent residency. It is designed to serve an immediate, specific business need and nothing more. Businesses looking to retain a specialist long-term would need to explore pathways such as the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.

How It Differs from the 408

While both the 400 and 408 cover short-term temporary work, the key distinction is the nature of the activity. The 400 focuses on highly specialised commercial or technical work, while the 408 covers a broader range of activities including sport, cultural exchange, religious work, and research. Entertainment work specifically sits within the 408, not the 400.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Common Questions To 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

Considering whether a 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) 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 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa?

Have highly specialised skills, knowledge, or experience that is not readily available in the Australian labour market.
Time-limited
no requirement for formal employer sponsorship or a nomination process,

How difficult is the process for a 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) 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 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa?

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.

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