Temporary Activity visa 408
Short-term work in a specific activity: entertainment, sport, religious work, research, staff exchange, special programs, invited events, superyacht crew, domestic work for executives and Government endorsed events.
In force
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.
Main requirements
- 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
| Stream | Who it is for | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Up to 2 years |
| 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. | Up to 2 years (local and regional players usually leave at season end) |
| 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. | Up to 2 years |
| 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. | Up to 2 years |
| Staff Exchange Arrangements | Skilled staff on a written reciprocal exchange agreement with an Australian organisation, where the exchange benefits both participants. | Up to 2 years |
| 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). | Usually up to 12 months |
| 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. | Up to 3 months |
| 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. | Duration of the event, or up to 4 years depending on circumstances |
| 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. | Usually up to 12 months (stream maximum 2 years) |
| 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. | Up to 2 years |
Your journey, step by step
From the first enquiry to the decision and after, with how a registered migration agent helps at each step. No step promises an outcome.
- First enquiry
You tell us your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent identifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk. - Confirm the stream
Match the activity to one of the ten streams and check whether you need a supporter or a sponsor.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent matches the activity to the right stream and checks the sponsor or supporter rules. - Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed. - Sponsor or supporter steps
Where a sponsor is needed, the organisation applies to be a temporary activities sponsor and may lodge a nomination.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent prepares the sponsorship and checks the organisation's obligations. - Evidence
Contract or invitation, letter of support, funds, health insurance and stream-specific documents such as union consultation or an Arts certificate.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent assembles evidence that matches the stream criteria. - Lodge online
Lodge in ImmiAccount and pay the charge. Do not lodge in immigration clearance.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent lodges from the right place and tracks requests. - Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses. - Grant and compliance
Do only the approved activity. If the activity ends, apply for another visa or leave within 28 days.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent explains the conditions and the itinerary change rules.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
Paid to the Department of Home Affairs, not to us.
| Applicant or item | Charge (A$) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (all streams) | A$535 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$535 |
| Family member under 18 | A$135 |
| Subsequent temporary application charge, if applying in Australia | A$700 |
A nil charge can apply where the event organiser is a registered charity, foreign government agency, government agency or other organisation specified by the Minister. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. The Rugby League World Cup 2026 participant visa is free. Sponsorship and nomination fees are separate. Check every charge in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
Processing times
Home Affairs visa processing time guide. Australian Government Endorsed Events and Domestic Work for Executives: processing times not available. Read 22 October 2026. A guide only, not a promise.
| Entertainment Activities | 50% in 23 days, 90% in 47 days |
|---|---|
| Sporting Activities | 50% in 16 days, 90% in 4 months |
| Religious Work | 50% in 3 months, 90% in 5 months |
| Research Activities | 50% in 15 months, 90% in 17 months |
| Exchange Arrangements | 50% in 28 days, 90% in 52 days |
| Special Programs | 50% in 31 days, 90% in 56 days |
| Invited for Other Social and Cultural Activity | 50% in 4 days, 90% in 22 days |
| Superyacht Crew | 50% in 7 days, 90% in 35 days |
Common refusal reasons
- Activity does not fit the stream chosen.
- No valid sponsor or supporter, or a sponsor needed but not approved.
- Missing contract, invitation, union consultation or Arts certificate.
- Not enough money or no adequate health insurance.
- Doubts about a genuine temporary stay, including long previous stays.
- Applying in Australia without holding a substantive visa (or within 28 days of one ending).
Document checklist
Tick items as you gather them. Your ticks stay on this device only.
- Identity
- Activity
- Support
- Character
Recent and upcoming changes
- 1 July 2026
Charges rose: main applicant A$535. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
- 2026
Australian Government Endorsed Events stream lists the Rugby League World Cup 2026, free for participants.
Talk it through before you apply.
The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts after a written service agreement.
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules and charges change; check the official sources before you act.