Last Updated: 12-June-2026

Subclass 400 - Temporary Work Visa Australia

The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa is for skilled overseas professionals who need to enter Australia for short-term, highly specialised work across a wide range of industries. Unlike most Australian work visas, it does not require employer sponsorship, making it one of the fastest and most straightforward pathways to apply for. The visa typically allows a stay of up to 3 months, with up to 6 months possible depending on your circumstances, and your family members can accompany you throughout your assignment.

Category	Details
Visa Type	Temporary Work Visa
Application Location	Outside Australia
Stay Duration	Typically up to 3 months
Employer Sponsorship	No sponsorship needed
Family Members	Can accompany you during your stay
Application Fee	AUD 430 for main applicant
Processing Time	2 to 4 weeks

*Want to Work in Australia? Get a Free Eligibility Assessment from Y-Axis today.

 

Who Can Apply for the Subclass 400 Visa?

The Subclass 400 visa is designed for skilled overseas professionals who have been invited by an Australian organisation to contribute their expertise to a short-term, highly specialised project or assignment in Australia. It is commonly applied for by engineers, IT specialists, scientists, researchers, technical consultants and other professionals whose skills are in high demand for a defined, time-limited project.
 

Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 400 Visa

To be eligible for the Subclass 400 visa, you must hold highly specialised skills genuinely needed for a short-term project in Australia and be applying from outside the country.

• Highly specialised skills or experience required for a specific, time-limited project
• Applying from outside Australia at the time of lodgement and decision
• Supporting letter or contract from an Australian organisation confirming your role and project scope
• Sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members
• Health and character requirements as set by the Department of Home Affairs
• Work must fall outside the entertainment industry

*Want to Migrate to Australia? Get a Free Eligibility Assessment from Y-Axis today.

 

What Is Highly Specialised Work for the Subclass 400 Visa?
 

Highly specialised work for the Subclass 400 visa means expertise that is scarce in the Australian labour market and genuinely required for a clearly defined, short-term project.

Examples of qualifying work include:

• Commissioning and installation of complex or proprietary industrial equipment
• Proprietary software implementation, system integration and technical configuration
• Advanced engineering inspections, technical audits and safety assessments
• Specialist scientific research and laboratory activities at Australian institutions
• High-level technical consulting requiring niche knowledge specific to a project
• Expert supervision of critical infrastructure or construction projects

 

Documents Required for the Subclass 400 Visa
 

To apply for the Subclass 400 visa, you will need to submit a supporting letter or contract from your Australian organisation along with proof of your qualifications, identity and financial capacity.

• Valid passport
• Supporting letter or contract from the Australian organisation
• Proof of qualifications and relevant work experience
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Health examination results if required
• Police clearance certificates if requested
• Health insurance documentation
• Biometrics if requested
• Proof of family relationship for accompanying family members

How to Apply for the Subclass 400 Visa?

The Subclass 400 visa is applied for online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia. Having a supporting letter or contract from your Australian organisation ready before you lodge will give your application the strongest possible start.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm you hold highly specialised skills, are applying from outside Australia and have a confirmed, time-limited role with an Australian organisation.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Collect your passport, supporting letter or contract, proof of qualifications, proof of funds and any required health documents.

Step 3: Lodge Your Application Online

Apply through ImmiAccount with all details completed accurately from outside Australia.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the visa application fee at the time of lodgement through ImmiAccount.

Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload all required documents at the time of lodgement to support your application.

Step 6: Track Your Application

Monitor your application through ImmiAccount and respond to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs promptly.

Step 7: Receive Your Visa and Travel

Receive your visa grant notice and travel to Australia to commence your short-term specialist assignment.

*Want to Apply for Subclass 400? Get a Free Eligibility Assessment from Y-Axis today.

 

Cost of Subclass 400 Visa

The Subclass 400 visa costs AUD 430 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each family member included in your application.

Detail	Information
Application Fee	AUD 430 (main applicant)
Fee Exemptions	Foreign government representatives and those listed in a legislative instrument

For family member fees use the DOHA Visa Pricing Estimator

In addition to the application fee, you may also need to budget for:

• Health examination: AUD 300 to AUD 500 per person
• Police clearance certificates: AUD 42 to AUD 100 per country
• Biometrics: if requested by the Department of Home Affairs
• Health insurance: costs vary by provider and length of stay

 

Processing Time for Subclass 400 Visa

The Subclass 400 visa typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to process from the date of lodgement. Submitting a complete, well-documented application at the time of lodgement gives your application the best chance of being processed within this timeframe.

 

How Long Can I Stay on the Subclass 400 Visa?

The Subclass 400 visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 3 months, with up to 6 months possible depending on your circumstances. Once granted, you must arrive in Australia within 6 months of the grant date. Your stay period begins on your first date of entry and does not restart if you leave and re-enter the country. The visa may be granted as either single entry or multiple entries depending on your circumstances:

Entry Type	Details
Single Entry	You may enter Australia once. A new visa is required to re-enter after departure.
Multiple Entry	You may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish within your approved stay period.

 

Is It Possible to Extend My Subclass 400 Visa?

No. The Subclass 400 is a temporary visa granted for a fixed stay period. To continue working in Australia beyond your approved stay, you will need to depart Australia and lodge a fresh application from outside the country.

Under current DOHA policy, the combined total stay across all Subclass 400 visa grants must not exceed 3 months in any 12-month period. A second Subclass 400 application will typically only be granted for the remaining balance of that 3-month total.
 

Work Conditions for the Subclass 400 Visa

The Subclass 400 visa allows you to work in Australia for the duration of your approved stay, restricted to the specific employer and activity approved under your visa.

Condition	Details
Work Rights	Restricted to the approved employer and activity under Condition 8107
Study Rights	Language training programs are permitted
Health Insurance	Recommended for the duration of your stay

 

Can I Bring My Family Members on Subclass 400 Visa?

Yes. Your spouse, de facto partner and dependent children can accompany you to Australia on the Subclass 400 visa. They can be included in your application at the time of lodgement or join you later during your stay.

Detail	Information
Who Can Join	Spouse, de facto partner and dependent children
Study Rights	Language training programs are permitted
Health and Character	All family members must meet DOHA health and character requirements

You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your living expenses and those of any accompanying family members for the full duration of your stay in Australia.

For family member visa fees use the DOHA Visa Pricing Estimator

 

Subclass 400 vs Subclass 482: What Is the Difference?

The Subclass 400 is for short-term, highly specialised one-off assignments with no employer sponsorship required. The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa is for ongoing skilled employment with an approved sponsor and provides a pathway to permanent residency.

Feature	Subclass 400	Subclass 482
Purpose	Short-term specialist work	Ongoing skilled employment
Stay Duration	Up to 6 months	2 to 4 years
Employer Sponsorship	Not required	Required
Occupation List	Not required	Required
PR Pathway	Temporary visa only	Pathway to Subclass 186
Application Fee	AUD 430	AUD 3,210
Processing Time	2 to 4 weeks	Up to 7 months

 

Latest Updates for Subclass 400 Visa

The Department of Home Affairs has strengthened the Subclass 400 visa policy to ensure it continues to support genuine short-term, highly specialised work in Australia.

• Stay Duration: The visa typically allows a stay of up to 3 months. Stays beyond 3 months are assessed individually and require a strong, documented business case. Up to 6 months may be granted in limited circumstances.
• Repeat Applications: Multiple Subclass 400 visas can be granted within a 12-month period, with the combined total stay across all grants assessed against a 3-month threshold per 12-month period.
• Visa Fee: The application fee is AUD 430 for the main applicant, reviewed annually by the Department of Home Affairs.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis Australia is a MARA-registered migration consultancy with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Our registered migration agents provide expert guidance and end-to-end support to help you secure your Subclass 400 visa with confidence.

When you work with Y-Axis, you get:

• Free eligibility assessment for the Subclass 400 visa
• Expert review of your supporting documents and sponsor letter
• End-to-end application assistance and ImmiAccount lodgement support
• Expert guidance on Australia work and PR visa pathways

Book a free consultation with our Melbourne office on +61 3 9939 4818 or our Sydney office on +61 2 9146 0950.

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