Temporary Activity visa 408

Who it is for

People coming to Australia to do a specific type of work on a short-term, temporary basis, supported or sponsored by an Australian organisation. There are ten streams; each has its own activity rules and maximum stay.

Published eligibility

• Have the skills to do the activity, and meet the extra requirements of your stream.
• A supporter, or a temporary activities sponsor. You usually need a sponsor if you apply in Australia, or apply outside Australia and plan to stay more than 3 months; otherwise a supporter is enough. Some streams differ (for example the Invited Participant stream).
• Enough money to support yourself and any family who come with you.
• Adequate health insurance for the whole stay, a genuine temporary stay, health and character.
• If you apply in Australia you must hold a substantive visa, or your last one must have ceased within the last 28 days.
• Your activity must not harm the work, training or job conditions of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Where you apply from

In or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, for most streams. The visa cannot be extended; a further 408 is a new application where the stream allows it.

Streams

• Entertainment Activities Performers, production staff and support staff in film, television, live productions, non-profit productions and documentaries or commercials for an overseas market. Union consultation and, for film and television performers, an Arts certificate are needed. Stay: Up to 2 years. Processing: 50% in 23 days, 90% in 47 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Sporting Activities Sports trainees at national or international level, and elite players, coaches, instructors and adjudicators endorsed by a national sporting body, with a formal agreement where required. Stay: Up to 2 years (local and regional players usually leave at season end). Processing: 50% in 16 days, 90% in 4 months (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Religious Work Full-time religious work for a religious institution with tax-exempt charity status. Secular work such as administration is not allowed. A second 408 is possible, up to 4 years in total. Stay: Up to 2 years. Processing: 50% in 3 months, 90% in 5 months (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Research Activities Established academic researchers, research students and recent graduates (within 12 months) invited to observe or take part in research at an Australian tertiary or research institution. Stay: Up to 2 years. Processing: 50% in 15 months, 90% in 17 months (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Staff Exchange Arrangements Skilled staff on a written reciprocal exchange agreement with an Australian organisation, where the exchange benefits both participants. Stay: Up to 2 years. Processing: 50% in 28 days, 90% in 52 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Special Program Participants in an approved special program: cultural enrichment or community benefit (18 or over), youth exchange (18 to 30), school language assistance (18 to 30) or school-to-school interchange (17 to 25). Stay: Usually up to 12 months. Processing: 50% in 31 days, 90% in 56 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Other Social and Cultural Activity (Invited Participant) People invited by an Australian organisation to take part in a community-based social or cultural event, such as a sporting, religious, artistic or academic event or a conference. Stay: Up to 3 months. Processing: 50% in 4 days, 90% in 22 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Australian Government Endorsed Events Participants in events endorsed by the Australian Government. When checked, the listed event was the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (participants invited by the Australian Rugby League Commission; free for those participants). A workplace justice pathway also sits under this stream. Stay: Duration of the event, or up to 4 years depending on circumstances. Home Affairs stream page
• Superyacht Crew Crew members aged 18 or over with a contract or owner's letter for a superyacht (a luxury vessel 24 metres or longer that carries no cargo and is used for sport or recreation). The supporter or sponsor must be the captain, owner or operator. Stay: Usually up to 12 months (stream maximum 2 years). Processing: 50% in 7 days, 90% in 35 days (read 22 October 2026). Home Affairs stream page
• Domestic Work for Executives Experienced domestic workers aged 18 or over invited to work full time in the household of certain senior foreign executives, on pay and conditions that meet Australian law. Stay: Up to 2 years. Home Affairs stream page