Subclass 400 - Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

Visa type: Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) – Subclass 400
Stay period: Usually up to 3 months; up to 6 months only in limited, justified cases
Application location: Must apply outside Australia (offshore only)
Extension: Cannot be extended onshore; new application required if more time is needed
Support required: Strong evidence/letter from an Australian organisation showing genuine, short-term, highly specialised need
Work rights: Restricted to the specific employer/activity approved (condition 8107 applies)
Include family: Family unit members can be included; they receive similar conditions
Pathway to PR: No direct pathway to permanent residency

Professionals with the Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa are permitted to work in Australia for short periods of time in highly specialized, non-continuous jobs. It is designed for use in situations where the task is urgent or immediate and the necessary expertise is hard to find in the Australian labor market.

A stay of up to three months is usually given to applicants, and in certain situations, up to six months if a compelling business case is shown. Applying for this visa must be done overseas; it does not immediately result in permanent residence.

What is the Subclass 400 Visa?

With the Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, you can work in Australia for a short period of time and do highly specialized, non-continuous work. If you have special abilities, expertise, or experience that are not easily found in the Australian job market, it is perfect.

You can usually stay in Australia for up to three months with this temporary visa, and in certain specific, valid situations, up to six months.

Your visa grant letter will specify the entrance time for you to enter Australia, which is usually six months from the approval date, or earlier if provided. The length of your stay is calculated from your first arrival date in Australia and does not reset with multiple entries.

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 400 Visa

The following requirements must be fulfilled in order for candidates to be eligible for the Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa:

Hold highly specialized knowledge, abilities, or expertise that are difficult to get by in the Australian job market.Your expertise must be essential to complete short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia.
Apply from outside Australia (offshore application only), as the Subclass 400 visa cannot be acquired onshore.
Show that you just want to stay for a short time and that your task is temporary and essential.
Provide a supporting letter or documentation from an Australian organisation showing the business requirement for your specific skills.
Show that you have enough money for supporting yourself and your family during your stay.
Meet the health and character requirements established by the Department of Home Affairs.
Have no previous visa refusal or cancellation records.
Make sure your job is not in the entertainment business (for which you will need the Subclass 408 visa).

Documents Required for Subclass 400 Visa

Proof of evidence that you will be doing work during your stay in Australia.
Proof of financial support.
Proof of genuine need for your employment.
Required skills to do the type of work you are applying for.

How to Apply for Subclass 400 Visa?

If you are planning to apply for the Subclass 400 Temporary Work visa, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Check your eligibility – Ensure that you meet all of the conditions, such as possessing specific talents, applying from outside Australia, and showing genuine temporary stay intentions.

Step 2: Prepare the documents – Collect all relevant documents such as a passport, proof of funds, health tests, and a supporting letter from your Australian employment.

Step 3: Complete your Subclass 400 visa application online – Access the official visa application portal, fill in the required details accurately, and ensure all sections are completed.

Step 4: Upload supporting documents – Attach all the required documents to enhance your application and prevent delays.

Step 5: Track your application status – Regularly check the progress of your visa on your application process.

Step 6: Receive your visa outcome & travel to Australia – Once approved, you can arrange your travel reservations and fly to Australia for short-term work.

Subclass 400 Visa – Cost and Processing Time

The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa comes with an affordable application fee compared to other Australian work visas. The Subclass 400 visa cost starts from AUD 405 and must be paid at the time of application. This fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused.

Visa Type	Fees (AUD)	Processing Time
Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)	From AUD 405	2 – 4 weeks (varies by case & documents submitted)

When it comes to timelines, the Subclass 400 visa processing time usually takes 2–4 weeks. However, the duration can vary depending on:

The completeness of your application and supporting documents
How quickly you respond to any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs
The complexity of your case and background checks
The current workload of immigration authorities

How Can Y-Axis Help You With the Subclass 400 Visa?

Applying for the Australia Subclass 400 Temporary Work Visa can be complex, but with Y-Axis, the process becomes simple and hassle-free. Our Australia immigration experts provide complete assistance to help you secure your short-term work visa successfully.

Y-Axis helps you secure your Subclass 400 Visa with expert services like: