Temporary Work (Short Stay specialist) & Temporary Activity visas 

Australia have visas for individuals who are required to  travel to Australia to undertake work or activities that don’t fall within a tourist or employer sponsored visa.

 These visas are the:

  • Temporary Work Visa Australia (Short Stay Specialist) subclass 400 OR
  • Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) 
Subclass 400 visa – Temporary work (Short Stay Specialist) 

This visa allows individuals to undertake short-term, highly specialised work for up to 3 or 6 months. The applicant must:

  • Have have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience not generally available  in Australia
  • Have work in Australia that:
    • assists Australian business
    • can’t reasonably be found in the Australian labour market 
    • must not be ongoing 
  • Be able to support themselves, and any dependents
  • Meet health and character requirements  

In most circumstances the work undertaken can not be in the Entertainment industry. In these cases the applicant may be able to apply for a Subclass 408 visa – see below. 

Subclass 408 visa – Temporary Activity visa 

This visa is for individuals who want to come to Australia for specific work on a short-term, temporary basis. This can vary between up to 3 months to 2 years depending on the activity.  The work available under this visa must fall under the following: 

  • Sporting Activities – play, coach, adjudicate, instruct, train with a team or a sporting organisation  
  • Entertainment Activities – to work on film, television, live on online productions 
  • Australian Government Endorsed Events – to come to Australia to participate in events endorsed by the Australian Government.
  • Special Program – to take part in an approved special program
  • Religious Work – to do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia
  • Research Activities  – to take part in in a research project at a research or tertiary institution in Australia 
  • Invited Participants – for social and cultural activities with a community-based event 
  • Superyacht Crew 
  • Exchange Arrangements – to come to Australia as part of a staff exchange with an Australian organisation 
  • Domestic work for executives  

Applicants must usually have a supporter or be sponsored. Or be undertaking an endorsed activity. 

Entertainment Activities specialists  

Applicants under the Entertainment Activities stream, may need union consultation with the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA).

We have extensive experience with the MEAA, as well as advising on whether the Subclass 400 or 408 is most suitable.

In some cases applicants may need to apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482). If this is the case, we will advise.

Clients

Our clients  have been both Australian & offshore based. Applicants have been both on and off-screen.

They  include entertainment organisations covering activities across sports,  feature film, TV, live events, documentaries, sporting world cups, international sports tours.  streaming, online production.

We have worked with global sporting bodies, Australian sporting bodies, publishers, journalists, national European broadcasters, globally recognised stars, and organisations.

Are you eligible?

If you would like to discuss these visas please get in touch.

Australian immigration Solutions
Migration Agents Registration Number
Temporary Work & Activity