Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)
The Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) allows applicants to come to Australia on a short-term basis for specific work.
The types of work are outlined in each visa stream below.
408 Visa holders can include family members in their application or as subsequent entrants after the visa has been granted.
Applicants may also be in or outside Australia when applying for the 408 Visa and are permitted multiple entries into Australia while the visa is valid.
408 Visa Requirements
408 Visa applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Meet the health requirements;
- Meet the character requirements;
- Sign the Australian values statement;
- Have no debt to the Australian government; and
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
Applicants may also be required to prove they have not paid for their visa sponsorship.
They may also consider applying for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) if eligible.
408 Visa Streams
The 408 Visa is made up of ten visa streams:
- Australian Government Endorsed Events
- Special Program
- Religious Work
- Research Activities
- Invited for other social and cultural activity (Invited Participant)
- Sporting Activities
- Entertainment Activities
- Superyacht Crew
- Exchange Arrangements
- Domestic Work for Executives.
1. Australian Government Endorsed Events Stream
The Australian Government Endorsed Events stream allows applicants to participate in events endorsed by the Australian Government (in Australia).
Currently, these events include the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Supporting Innovation in South Australia events.
The maximum stay permitted with the Australian Government Endorsed Events stream is 4 years, however, visa holders are generally only granted their visa for the duration of the event.
Visa holders must also have vocational English language skills and adequate health insurance.
2. Special Program Stream
The Special Program stream allows applicants to stay in Australia for a special approved program.
The primary purpose of the applicant’s entry must be cultural exchange (not work or training).
The applicant will also need a sponsor if planning to stay for more than 3 months.
Approved programs include:
- Cultural enrichment or community benefits program (for example, a community engagement event that is sponsored by a charity organisation);
- School Language Assistants program (SLAP) (for example, to teach at an Australian school as an assistant before pursuing a career in teaching);
- School-to-school Interchange program (SSIP) (for example, to volunteer at an Australian school after completing high school level studies but before starting work/further studies/training); and
- Youth exchange program (for example, an exchange in Australia through an approved organisation).
Applicants may stay in Australia for the duration of their program event. The maximum stay permitted with the Special Program stream is 12 months.
Generally, applicants must also be aged at least 18 years of age and no older than 30 years of age (SSIP applicants must be aged 17 – 25 years). Cultural enrichment or community benefit program applicants may be aged over 30 years.
3. Religious Work Stream
The Religious Work stream allows applicants to work full-time for a religious institution in Australia for a period of up to 2 years.
Applicants must work in a religious work position, such as:
- Conducting worship;
- Teaching guidance on religion; and
- Proselytising.
Applicants will not be granted a visa if a full-time work agreement is not submitted with the application.
Applicants must also have relevant work experience and need a sponsor if planning to stay for more than 3 months.
4. Research Activities Stream
The Research Activities stream allows applicants to observe or take part in a research project at an Australian tertiary education institution, such as a university.
Applicants may apply for the Research Activities stream if they are:
- An academic who has made significant achievements in their field;
- Employed (or were employed) as an academic at a tertiary institution; or
- Invited to observe or take part in a research project at an Australian tertiary/research institution.
Applicants must be invited to apply for the stream and will need to be sponsored if planning to stay for more than 3 months.
Research Activities stream holders may also stay in Australia for up to 2 years.
5. Invited for other social and cultural activity (Invited Participant) Stream
The Invited Participant stream allows invited applicants to participate in community-based events for up to 3 months.
Community-based events include sporting, religious, art, or academic events that do not meet the criteria of other streams.
For example, an applicant may apply for this stream if they are working at a religious event but do not meet the criteria for the Religious Work stream.
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) may be more suitable if:
- Taking part in or attending a trade fair, expo, exhibition, religious/cultural event, conference, workshop, or seminar (not being paid to contribute);
- The applicant is an amateur sportsperson taking part in a recreational match or training; or
- The applicant is a volunteer supporting an amateur sportsperson or team (unpaid).
Applicants may also need a sponsor to apply for the Invited Participant stream.
6. Sporting Activities Stream
The Sporting Activities stream allows applicants to play for an Australian sporting team or practice high-level training with an Australian organisation.
Applicants may be eligible if they are coaching, instructing, or adjudicating a sporting competition or team.
Generally, applicants must be endorsed by a peak sporting body as having the potential to compete or adjudicate at the Australian national level.
Applicants must also be involved in their sport full-time (sports trainees only) and may stay for the duration of their event, with a maximum stay of 2 years permitted.
Additionally, applicants must be sponsored if they apply in Australia or if they are planning to stay for more than 3 months.
7. Entertainment Activities Stream
The Entertainment Activities stream allows applicants to work in the Australian entertainment industry (film, television, or live productions) as a performer, production, or support staff.
Examples of eligible working roles include:
- Acting in a tv or film production;
- Stand-up comedian;
- Documentary presenter;
- Non-performing production or technical crew; or
- Journalist or media personnel covering an event.
Applicants may stay for the duration of their event, with a maximum stay of 2 years permitted, and must be sponsored if applying in Australia or if they are planning to stay for more than 3 months.
8. Superyacht Crew Stream
The Superyacht Crew stream allows applicants to work in Australia as a superyacht crew member.
A superyacht is a high-value luxury sailing or motor vessel that:
- Is 24 metres or longer;
- Does not carry cargo; and
- Used for sport or recreation.
Generally, the Superyacht Crew stream is granted for up to 12 months and applicants must be over 18 years of age.
Applicants must also be contracted to work on the superyacht and must be sponsored if they apply in Australia or if they are planning to stay for more than 3 months.
9. Staff Exchange Arrangements Stream
The Staff Exchange Arrangements stream allows applicants to come to an Australian organisation through an employee exchange.
For the visa, a staff exchange is an exchange of employees between companies located in separate countries.
The visa will not be granted if it is not deemed beneficial for all parties involved.
The applicant must also be skilled in the position they intend to work in. This must be documented in a written agreement between both parties.
Applicants may stay for the duration of their exchange, with a maximum stay of 2 years permitted, and must be sponsored in applying in Australia or if planning to stay for more than 3 months.
10. Domestic Work for Executives Stream
The Domestic Work for Executives stream allows applicants to come to Australia for full-time domestic work in an eligible senior foreign executive’s household.
The senior foreign executive must hold one of the following visas:
- Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (subclass 403) Privileges and Immunities stream;
- Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457); or
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482).
Applicants may stay for the duration granted, with a maximum stay of 2 years permitted, and must be over 18 years of age.
Applicants must also be sponsored if they apply in Australia or if they are planning to stay for more than 3 months.
Can a 408 Visa be extended?
The 408 Visa cannot be extended but applicants may apply for another 408 Visa at the conclusion of their visa.
Applicants can apply for as many 408 Visas as they like.
Contact Us
For more information about Temporary Activity Visa, contact Bambrick Legal today. We can confirm your eligibility and help you apply for your visa.
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