Temporary Activity subclass 408 visa

The Temporary Activity subclass 408 visa allows you to work in Australia to carry out temporary activities. An Australian business needs to sponsor the visa application before it is submitted.

Who is the subclass 408 Visa for?

The subclass 408 visa is for people who:

  • work in the entertainment industry
  • are employed as a super yacht crew member
  • participate in high-level sports competitions or a sports training program
  • participate in a government endorsed event
  • participate in activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
  • participate or observe in an Australian research project
  • work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
  • participate in a special programme approved by the department that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benetis
  • do full time religious work
  • do full time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives
  • have experienced workplace exploitation and wish to seek justice

How long is the 408 visa valid for?

The visa is valid for different lengths of stay which depends on the activity the visa holder is carrying out. The length of stay ranges from 3 months if invited to participate in a specific event, 2 years for other activities and up to 4 years if the visa holder is participating in Australian government activities.

How to become a sponsor for a 408 visa

To sponsor an overseas worker for a subclass 408 visa, an Australian business needs to be an approved sponsor.

To become a business sponsor, you need to present documents that show your business is operating lawfully and actively in Australia, in accordance with your corporate structure, be that a company, trust, franchise or a not-for-profit. This includes:

your business’s ASIC registration details,

6 months’ worth of bank statements

most recent tax returns

most recent profit and loss statement

a letter of support from a qualified accountant

If you are a start-up business that has been operating for less than 12 months, you need to present evidence of your active operation, in particular:

a business plan

contract of sale relating to the purchase of the business

business premises lease agreement

any contracts to provide services

evidence of staff employment.

Get started