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Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) Visa

Q: Which streams are available under Subclass 408?

The Subclass 408 visa has multiple streams designed for temporary stays in Australia to participate in specific events or activities. These include: Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 stream – winding down), Entertainment Activities, Sporting Activities, Religious Work, Research Activities, Invited Participant, Superyacht Crew, Staff Exchange, Domestic Work for Executives, and Special Programs. Each stream has its own eligibility criteria, duration, and sponsorship requirements. For example, entertainers require industry sponsorship, while athletes may need endorsement from a sporting body. The chosen stream must directly match the purpose of your stay, as assessed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Q: How long is the Subclass 408 visa valid for?

The validity of a Subclass 408 visa depends on the stream you apply for and the length of the approved activity. Generally, the visa can be granted for up to 2 years, although some streams are capped at 12 months or less. For example, the Entertainment and Sporting streams may be granted for the duration of the activity or event, while Religious Workers can be approved for longer stays. The Department of Home Affairs decides the visa period based on your application, sponsor details, and supporting documentation. Importantly, the visa is always linked to the specific activity for which it was granted.

Q: Do I need sponsorship, and what does it involve?

Yes, most Subclass 408 visa streams require sponsorship or support from an approved Australian organisation or individual. Sponsorship ensures that your activities in Australia are legitimate and compliant with immigration regulations. Sponsors must usually be approved Temporary Activities Sponsors or, in some cases, government agencies or recognised bodies related to your field (such as a sports federation or religious institution). The sponsor provides documentation supporting your stay, confirms the activity, and sometimes agrees to cover costs if you breach visa conditions. Sponsorship is central to the visa process, as it demonstrates a genuine need for your presence in Australia.

Q: What is the GTE requirement for this visa?

All applicants for the Subclass 408 visa must satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. This means you must demonstrate that your stay in Australia is temporary and aligned only with the activity for which your visa is granted. Evidence may include details of your ties to your home country, your planned role in Australia, proof of financial capacity, and any return arrangements. The Department of Home Affairs assesses GTE to ensure the visa is not misused for permanent migration. Clear documentation supporting your temporary purpose strengthens your application and avoids delays or refusals.

Q: How much does the Subclass 408 visa cost?

The cost of the Subclass 408 visa varies slightly depending on the stream, but the base application charge is AUD 405 as per the Department of Home Affairs. Additional applicants, such as family members included in the same application, also incur extra charges (AUD 405 per adult and AUD 105 per child, in most cases). Some streams, such as COVID-19 (Australian Government Endorsed Event), were fee-free, but these concessions are being phased out. Fees are payable at the time of application via the ImmiAccount portal and are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused.

Q: Can my family accompany me on a Subclass 408 visa?

Yes, immediate family members can often accompany you on a Subclass 408 visa, provided they are included in your application and meet health and character requirements. Eligible family members usually include your spouse/partner and dependent children. They are generally granted the same visa period as the primary applicant. Family members may also have work and study rights depending on the stream, but conditions vary. It is important to declare all dependents at the time of application and provide documents proving your relationship. Family inclusion allows your household to stay together while you complete your approved activity in Australia.

Q: Can a 408 visa convert to a student visa?

Yes, you can apply for a student visa (subclass 500) while on a 408 visa, as long as you meet the student visa requirements, including enrolment in a registered course and having sufficient funds. The conversion is not automatic, you must lodge a new application and be granted the student visa.

Looking to work or participate in events in Australia? The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa lets you stay in Australia for up to 2 years to take part in short-term work, training, cultural exchange, research, or entertainment activities. Whether you're a skilled professional, artist, researcher, or participant in a government-endorsed event, the 408 Visa Australia in 2025 offers a flexible pathway to live, work, and explore.

Stay in Australia for up to 2 years
Travel freely in and out of Australia
Work in your area of expertise
Join cultural or special programs
Bring eligible family members
Fast and flexible visa process
Ideal for short-term work or events

What is a Subclass 408 Visa Australia?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa is a short‑term visa that permits you to come to—or remain in—Australia temporarily to participate in a specific activity or event. Each activity falls under a designated stream, and you must meet the requirements of that stream, including being supported or sponsored where required by law.

Subclass 408 visa Streams

Stream (Activity type)	Max stay	Sponsorship / support needed	Main eligibility
Research Activities	Up to 2 years	Sponsor or supporter depending on circumstances	Invitation/approval to observe or take part at an Australian research/tertiary institution
Sporting Activities	Up to 2 years	Sponsor or supporter depending on circumstances	Evidence of role (play/coach/instruct/judge) or high-level training with an Australian sporting body
Entertainment Activities	Up to 2 years	Sponsor or supporter depending on circumstances	Contract/engagement for film/TV/live productions (performer/production/support staff)
Religious Work	Up to 2 years	Supported or sponsored depending on circumstances	Full-time role with an Australian religious institution (evidence of appointment)
Staff Exchange Arrangements	Up to 2 years	Sponsor or supporter	Skills/experience to exchange jobs with an Australian citizen/PR at a partner organisation
Special Program	Up to 12 months	Supporter or sponsor depending on circumstances	Acceptance into an approved youth/cultural/community/school assistant or gap-year program
Other Social & Cultural Activity (Invited Participant)	Up to 3 months	Sponsor or supporter (as applicable)	Formal invitation to participate in a community-based event (incl. sporting events)
Superyacht Crew	Up to 12 months	Sponsor or supporter depending on circumstances	Employment contract as superyacht crew + owner’s confirmation letter
Australian Government Endorsed Events — Workplace Justice Pilot	Up to 12 months (case-by-case)	No sponsor; must be in Australia with a certified workplace-exploitation claim	Hold (or recently held) a temporary visa with work rights; certification from an accredited third party or agency; remain to pursue the claim

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 408 Visa

To qualify for the Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa, applicants must generally:

Have the skills and experience required to undertake the activity.
Intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the specific purpose of the visa (Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement).
Meet health and character requirements.
Have sufficient funds to support themselves and accompanying family members.
Hold adequate health insurance during their stay.
Be sponsored or supported by an approved organisation, if the chosen stream requires it.

Stream-Specific Eligibility for Subclass 408 Visa

Stream	Key Eligibility Criteria
Entertainment Activities	Must be sponsored (stay over 3 months) or supported (stay under 3 months) by an organisation in Australia.
Sporting Activities	Requires sponsorship; applicant must provide evidence of playing, coaching, instructing, or officiating at a high level, with supporting documents from a sporting body.
Religious Work	Must be formally appointed by a recognised religious institution in Australia and undertake full-time religious work.
Research Activities	Requires a formal invitation or approval from an Australian research or tertiary institution to participate in a research project.
Invited Participant	Applicant must have a formal invitation from an Australian organisation to participate in a cultural, social, or special program event.
Superyacht Crew	Applicant must hold a contract to work as a crew member on a superyacht operating in Australia.
Staff Exchange	Must provide evidence of a written staff exchange arrangement between an Australian and an overseas organisation.
Domestic Work for Executives	Applicant must be employed to provide full-time domestic services in the household of a senior foreign executive holding an eligible visa.
Special Program	Applicant must be accepted into an approved program (such as youth exchange, cultural enrichment, or gap-year volunteering).
Australian Government Endorsed Events (AGEE)	Must be participating in an event or program officially endorsed by the Australian Government, such as the Workplace Justice Visa Pilot.

Subclass 408 Visa Australia Requirements

The requirements for the Subclass 408 visa are given below

The applicant must have a sponsorship from a registered sponsor for Subclass 408 visa Australia
The applicant must have health insurance for Subclass 408 Visa
The applicant must fulfill the required eligibility criteria for Subclass 408 Visa.
The applicant must have sufficient financial funds to stay in Australia.

Subclass 408 Visa – Required Documents & Evidence Checklist

When applying for a Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa, your application must be decision-ready to avoid delays. Below is a practical checklist of documents and evidence officers expect, aligned with official requirements

Invitation or Sponsor Letter

A formal invitation, support letter, or sponsor approval identifying the event, activity, or duties.

Financial Evidence

Recent bank statements, payslips, or funding letters to show you can support yourself in Australia.

Health Insurance

Proof of adequate health insurance covering the entire visa period.

Contract or Activity Details

Employment contract, invitation, or itinerary that shows clear start and end dates for your activity.

Character and Health Requirements

Police clearance, character declarations, and medical examinations if requested.

GTE Statement

A 1–2 page personal statement outlining the temporary nature of your stay, ties to your home country, and plan to depart after the activity ends.

Subclass 408 Visa Australia Processing Time

The processing time for Subclass 408 Visa depends on the application submission time.
The given processing time for Subclass 408 Visa is given below –

Applications	Processing time
25%	3 days
50%	8 days
75%	14 days
90%	3 months

Step‑by‑Step Application for Subclass 408

Step 1: Choose the correct Subclass 408 stream that matches your activity.
Step 2: Arrange an approved sponsor or supporter if your stream requires it.
Step 3: Gather documents: identity, contracts/invitations, proof of funds, health/character, and any stream‑specific evidence.
Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount and lodge your Subclass 408 application online.
Step 5: Pay the applicable visa application charges for all applicants.
Step 6: Complete biometrics and medical examinations, and provide police clearances if requested.
Step 7: Monitor your ImmiAccount for requests for further information and respond promptly.
Step 8: Receive the decision and check VEVO for your visa grant details and conditions.

Validity & Visa Conditions - Subclass 408

Stay length is tied to your activity/stream. Home Affairs grants the visa for the period needed to complete the approved activity, up to the stream’s maximum (for example, many streams allow up to 2 years; Invited Participant is typically up to 3 months; Superyacht Crew up to 12 months).
Family members can usually be included in your application and are generally granted the same visa period as the primary applicant, subject to stream rules and standard checks.
You must only do the approved activity and comply with any conditions attached to your visa (for example, limits on work type or employer, study, or further stay).
Sponsorship/support may be required depending on the stream. Where required, the sponsor must be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor and comply with sponsor obligations.

What GTE Means for Subclass 408

The Subclass 408 is a temporary, activity-based visa. By law, decision makers must be satisfied that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose for which the visa is granted. In making this assessment, officers will consider:

Whether you hold adequate health insurance for the period of stay.
Whether you genuinely intend to remain in Australia only for the visa’s purpose, taking into account your immigration history, your likelihood to comply with visa conditions, and any other relevant factors.

How to Satisfy the GTE Requirement?

To demonstrate that you are a genuine temporary entrant, applicants should:

Provide a clear activity timeline: Ensure all documents — invitation letters, contracts, schedules, and your personal statement — show consistent start and end dates.
Show compliance history: If you previously held an Australian visa, provide evidence of on-time departures and adherence to visa conditions.
Demonstrate financial capacity and insurance: Submit recent bank statements or funding evidence, along with proof of adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay.
Prove return incentives: Provide documents that confirm you will resume employment, studies, business, or family responsibilities in your home country after your temporary stay.

Subclass 408 — Sponsor vs Supporter (Official Differences)

Aspect	Supporter (passes the support test)	Sponsor (passes the sponsorship test)
What it is	An Australian organisation/person that provides a compliant letter of support for your short, defined activity.	An Australian organisation approved as a Temporary Activities Sponsor that formally sponsors your stay.
When it’s typically used	Offshore applications where the proposed stay is 3 months or less (stream permitting).	Onshore applications (lodged in Australia) or offshore applications where the proposed stay is more than 3 months.
Regulatory test (headline)	Must provide, when requested, a letter that identifies the activity, your duties, and dates/locations; there must be no adverse supporter information known to the Department (or it is reasonable to disregard).	The organisation must be approved to sponsor Temporary Activity participants, have agreed in writing to sponsor you (and not withdrawn), and have no adverse information known to the Department (or it is reasonable to disregard).
Approval status of the host	No formal sponsor approval is required, but the supporter and their letter are assessed against the support test.	Host must hold formal sponsor approval (Temporary Activities Sponsor) before your visa can be decided under sponsorship settings.
Obligations on the host	No ongoing statutory sponsorship obligations; must simply meet the support test for your application.	Must meet sponsorship obligations set in the Regulations (e.g., cooperate with the Department, keep required records, notify certain changes, and otherwise comply).
Evidence you’ll usually provide	Support letter detailing activity, duties, dates/locations, plus your identity, funds/insurance, health/character, and activity-specific documents.	Sponsorship approval details from the sponsor (and any nomination/engagement documents), plus your identity, funds/insurance, health/character, and stream-specific evidence.
Who can act	An eligible Australian organisation/person directly connected to the activity (e.g., event organiser, host institution).	An approved Australian organisation (Temporary Activities Sponsor) appropriate to the activity (e.g., research institution, sporting body, production company, religious institution).
Decision driver (duration/location)	Fits short-stay, offshore scenarios for many activity streams (≤ 3 months).	Required for onshore applications and longer stays (> 3 months) for most activity streams.
Typical outcome framing	Visa, if granted, is set for the activity period (within stream caps), backed by a supporter.	Visa, if granted, is set for the activity period (within stream caps), backed by an approved sponsor.
Fees & charges (high level)	You pay the Visa Application Charge; other costs (health checks, police, biometrics) may apply.	You pay the Visa Application Charge; the sponsor separately bears any sponsorship approval costs. If applying onshore, a Subsequent Temporary Application Charge may apply depending on your visa history.
Special note	—	For most streams, sponsorship is the setting if you’re in Australia at lodgement or intend to stay more than 3 months. (Some endorsed-event settings have different rules.)

Subclass 408 Visa and Permanent Residency

The Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa is designed for short-term, activity-based stays in Australia. It does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency (PR). Applicants are expected to leave once the activity ends.

While the 408 visa itself does not lead to PR, holding it may indirectly assist with future visa options in certain situations:

Building Residence History

Lawful temporary stays can demonstrate ties to Australia, which may support eligibility for other visas.

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Experience gained in Australia may later be relevant if an employer is willing to nominate you for a temporary or permanent skilled visa.

Partner Visas

Time spent in Australia can help establish evidence of a genuine relationship if applying for a partner visa.

Transition to Other Temporary Visas

In some cases, applicants move from short-term visas such as Working Holiday Maker (WHM) or 408 into other visas that may offer longer-term options.

Why Choose Y-Axis for Subclass 408 Visa Australia?

With our vast experience in Australian immigration, Y-Axis can help you understand and navigate the process with complete confidence. Our services include: