Looking to Visit Australia for Special Activities or Programs? Subclass 408 Could Be Your Fit.
If you’ve been invited to take part in an event, cultural exchange, research project, religious duties, or other short-term activity in Australia, the Subclass 408 visa may allow you to legally stay and work (in the approved activity) for a defined period. At Easy Aussie Migration, our principal agent Roy combines in-depth experience with the Department of Home Affairs and top immigration law practices to prepare strong, compliant visa applications tailored to your specific stream.
About the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa
The Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity Visa) allows foreign nationals to enter or remain in Australia to undertake approved, temporary activities under a specified “stream.” Depending on the stream, you may be able to stay from a few months up to 4 years. This visa is purpose-specific: you can only engage in the activity you nominate (e.g. sports, research, cultural event).
You cannot undertake unrelated employment beyond the approved activity unless specifically allowed. You may include eligible family members (spouse, de facto partner, dependent children) in your application. Unlike some visas, Subclass 408 typically does not lead directly to permanent residency, but it can be a stepping stone to other pathways if you meet eligibility.
Eligibility for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity Visa)
General Requirements: All applicants (regardless of stream) must satisfy:
- Activity stream eligibility: You must be coming to Australia to undertake a particular activity under one of the approved streams.
- Genuine temporary entrant: You must genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia and only do the nominated activity.
- Sponsorship or support: In many streams, you need an approved sponsor or the support of an organisation that meets the Department’s “support test”.
- Health and character: You and any family travellers must meet health and character requirements (medical examinations, police clearances).
- Adequate health insurance: You must maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in many instances.
- Financial capacity: You need to show you can support yourself and any dependents while in Australia.
- Other stream-specific requirements: Some streams demand particular skills, qualifications, invitations, or organizational endorsements.
Understanding the Support Test and Sponsorship Test
If you plan to stay in Australia for 3 months or less (Short stay):
- You must apply from outside Australia
- You must have support from an Australian organisation or individual who has passed the “support test” and is responsible for the event or activity you will take part in.
If you plan to stay in Australia for more than 3 months (Long stay):
- You must have an approved sponsor who has passed the sponsorship test.
What is Support Test: An applicant passes the support test if they are supported by an Australian individual or organisation that is responsible for the event, activity, or work the applicant will take part in. The applicant must provide a letter of support confirming the event or activity, the applicant’s role, and the dates and locations involved. The supporter must also have no adverse immigration history, or any such information must be reasonably disregarded.
What is Sponsorship Test: An applicant passes the sponsorship test if they are sponsored by an approved sponsor who has formally agreed in writing to sponsor them and has not withdrawn that agreement. The sponsor must also have no adverse information recorded with Immigration, or any such information must be reasonably disregarded.
408 Visa Streams
The Subclass 408 visa is available through several different streams, each designed for a specific type of temporary activity, with varying eligibility criteria and permitted lengths of stay. These 408 visa streams are:
- Australian Government Endorsed Events stream
- Domestic Work for Executives stream
- Entertainment Activities stream
- Exchange Arrangements stream
- Invited Participant stream
- Religious Work stream
- Research Activities stream
- Special Program stream
- Sporting Activities stream
- Superyacht Crew stream
408 Visa – Length of Stay
How long you will be permitted to stay in Australia on a 408 Visa will depend on your reason for applying:
- Australian Government-endorsed activities or events – up to 4 years
- Sporting, entertainment, research or religious activities – up to 2 years
- Domestic work, staff exchange – up to 2 years
- DOHA-approved special programs e.g. youth exchange, community programs, gap year volunteering – up to 12 months
- Invited participation in other social and cultural activities e.g. community events – up to 3 months
Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity Visa) Benefits
The Subclass 408 visa provides opportunities for individuals to contribute to Australia’s cultural, sporting, academic, and social landscape while enjoying a legal and flexible stay. Key benefits include:
- Authorised Stay & Work: Legally live in Australia for the approved period while undertaking your nominated activity under the specified stream.
- Purpose-Based Participation: Engage solely in the approved activity (such as research, entertainment, or sporting events) with the possibility of limited additional work if expressly permitted by your visa conditions.
- Multiple Entry Privileges: Depending on your visa grant, travel to and from Australia multiple times throughout your visa validity without needing a new application.
- Family Inclusion: Include eligible family members such as your spouse, de facto partner, or dependent children so they can accompany you during your stay in Australia.
- Stream Flexibility: Choose from a range of activity streams (e.g. sports, research, cultural exchange, religious work) tailored to your professional or personal objectives.
Application Process & How Easy Aussie Migration Can Help
At Easy Aussie Migration, we provide complete, end-to-end support for your Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa application, ensuring every stage is handled with professionalism and care.
- Initial Assessment & Stream Selection: We begin by reviewing your individual circumstances, proposed activity, professional background, and intended duration of stay. Based on this information, we identify the most suitable Subclass 408 stream. Our team ensures your planned activity aligns with the Department of Home Affairs’ eligibility criteria before proceeding.
- Document Preparation & Strategy: Once your eligibility and stream are confirmed, we help you prepare strong, accurate documentation to support your application. This includes drafting invitation letters, contracts, endorsements, and other stream-specific evidence. If sponsorship is required, we guide your sponsor through their obligations and document preparation to ensure compliance.
- Completing the Application & Lodgement: We guide you through the preparation of your visa application, including how to complete the required forms, prepare supporting documents, and ensure all requirements are met in the correct format. We review translations, certifications, and document presentation to help ensure they meet Department of Home Affairs requirements.
- Follow-up & Liaison: After lodgement, we actively monitor the progress of your application and assist in responding promptly to any requests for additional information or clarification from the Department of Home Affairs. Throughout the process, we keep you informed of updates and ensure you remain aware.
- Post-Grant Advice & Compliance: Once your Subclass 408 visa is granted, we provide clear advice on maintaining compliance with all visa conditions such as participating only in your approved activity or role. We also offer guidance if you wish to explore further visa options or transition to other visa pathways after completing your temporary activity in Australia.
SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR MIGRATION AGENTS TODAY ABOUT APPLYING FOR A SUBCLASS 408 TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA!
Why Choose Easy Aussie Migration for Your Subclass 408 Application?
Submitting an application with missing, weak or inconsistent evidence is one of the key reasons temporary visa refusals occur. Clients and travellers trust us because:
- Specialist knowledge in Temporary Activity Visas: we stay updated on Subclass 408 policy changes and stream requirements.
- Tailored stream advice: we match your activity to the correct stream and craft the strongest strategy.
- Strong documentation support: we assist you to build persuasive evidence, including support letters, contracts, and genuine intention statements.
- Compliance & visibility: we help ensure your application meets departmental standards and reduce the risk of requests or refusals.
- Registered Migration Agents: you get professional, accountable, and trusted representation under Australian regulation.
Subclass 408 Visa Checklist: Documents You’ll Need
Below is a broad checklist. Depending on your stream, additional documents may be required.
Mandatory / Core Documents
- Valid passport (biographical pages)
- Recent passport-style photographs
- Application fee payment receipt
- Health insurance evidence (for the duration of stay)
- Police clearance / character documents
- Medical examination reports (if required)
- Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, assets, support letters)
- Evidence of your genuine temporary intention (ties to home country, return plans)
Stream / Activity Documents
- Invitation / endorsement / contract or agreement for the activity
- Sponsorship or support documents (if required)
- Proof of skills, experience or qualifications relevant to your activity
- For sports: evidence of your sporting achievements, membership or affiliation with relevant bodies
- For research: confirmation from a research institution, CV, publications
- For religious work: letter from religious institution, role description
- For superyacht crew: contract or letter from vessel owner/operator
- For domestic work: employment contract, employer visa/occupation details
Family / Dependent Documents
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
- Health & character checks for each dependent
- Financial support for each dependent
Subclass 408 Visa Fees
Fees and processing times are subject to change. Always check the Department of Home Affairs or official notice for the latest.
- The visa application charge for the primary applicant currently starts at approximately AUD 430 (for many streams)
- Sponsor/Support entity (when required) usually pays a sponsorship fee (e.g. ~ AUD 420)
- A Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC) may apply if you have held certain temporary visas while in Australia.
- You also must budget for medical checks, police certificates, translations, health insurance, and possibly biometrics.
Book A Consultation
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