Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
Visa Cost
AUD 430
2025-26 financial year first-instalment base VAC (primary applicant, most streams), from 2025-07-01. Accompanying family members aged 18 and over AUD 430 each, under 18 AUD 110 each. Some Australian Government Endorsed Events (such as designated international sporting events) may receive a fee reduction/waiver (nil). Onshore renewal may also incur an AUD 700 Subsequent Temporary Application Charge. The COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream closed on 2024-02-01.
Processing Time
About several weeks to 3 months (depending on the stream and whether sponsorship/nomination is needed)
Eligibility
- Depending on the chosen stream, sponsored/supported by an approved sponsor (Temporary Activities Sponsor) or the event organiser, or invited to participate (some streams require no sponsor)
- The activity falls within the scope of 408: special programs/projects, religious work, entertainment (including Australia's invited high-profile), sport, research, staff exchange, superyacht crew, diplomatic domestic worker, government-endorsed events, etc.
- The activity is temporary with a defined duration (from 3 months to 4 years depending on the stream)
- Meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement and leave Australia after the activity
- Hold adequate health insurance covering your time in Australia
- Meet health and character requirements
- Holding the qualifications/experience for the activity (such as a religious worker's ordination or a performer's professional background)
- Must not undertake work unrelated to the approved activity
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
The stay depends on the activity stream applied for: invited participation in a specific event about 3 months, participation in an Australian government-endorsed event up to 4 years, and other activities generally up to 2 years; the visa grant notice prevails.
Eligible Dependants
Eligible family members (spouse/de facto partner, dependent children) can be included; for stays over 3 months all family members must be included in the application, sponsored in writing by the sponsor, with proof of sufficient living funds.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
This visa does not lead directly to PR. 408 is a purpose-specific temporary activity visa (culture/sport/research/religious/entertainment/government-endorsed events/Australia event invitations, etc.); after the activity you must move to another visa to move toward permanent residence; the experience can support later visa applications.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Common Visa Conditions
Full explanations of condition codes are in the Visa Conditions Lookup
Application Steps
Identify the correct 408 stream
Identify the correct 408 stream
Determine which stream you fall under based on your purpose: religious work, special programs, entertainment, government-endorsed events, etc.
- Different streams have different sponsorship requirements and stay durations
- The government-endorsed event stream may receive a fee reduction
Sponsorship, nomination or invitation
Sponsorship, nomination or invitation
The Australian sponsor becomes a Temporary Activities Sponsor and nominates, or you obtain the invitation/support documents.
- Religious work, special programs, entertainment, etc., usually require sponsorship and nomination
- The Invited Participant stream may require only an invitation letter
Lodge the 408 application online
Lodge the 408 application online
Lodge the application via ImmiAccount and upload supporting documents.
- The relevant sponsor/nomination or invitation
- Select the correct stream
Pay charge, health exam, insurance
Pay charge, health exam, insurance
Pay the AUD 430 VAC (nil if a waiver applies), complete the health examination and take out health insurance.
- Government-endorsed events may be fee-exempt
- The insurance must cover the entire period
Provide activity-specific evidence
Provide activity-specific evidence
Depending on the stream, upload the program/performance contract, religious appointment, research agreement, etc.
- The materials must prove the activity is genuine and fits the stream's definition
- Prove that your credentials match the activity
Await grant and undertake the activity
Await grant and undertake the activity
After grant, travel to Australia within the period set in the grant notice and undertake only the approved activity.
- Stay duration varies by stream: Invited Participant up to 3 months, sport/entertainment/research/religious up to 2 years, government-endorsed events up to 4 years
- Comply with the visa conditions
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Valid passport | Proof of identity and nationality. | Validity covering the activity period. | |
| Sponsorship / nomination approval | Sponsorship / nomination approval | The religious, special programs, entertainment, research and similar streams require approved sponsorship and nomination. | The visa application must cite the sponsor number; the Invited Participant stream can use an invitation letter instead. | |
| Contract or letter of invitation for the activity | Contract or letter of invitation for the activity | Prove the activity is genuine, and its content, duration and pay arrangements. | For the entertainment stream attach the performance/tour contract; for the research stream attach the research institution agreement. | |
| Special Program plan (if applicable) | Special Program plan (if applicable) | The Special Programs stream requires you to set out the structure and goals of the youth exchange/community/paid internship project. | A detailed program description provided by the approved sponsoring organisation. | |
| Religious appointment / ordination evidence | Religious appointment / ordination evidence | Prove the applicant has the qualifications and ordained status to undertake religious work. | A religious institution appointment letter, theological qualifications, and evidence of past religious service. | |
| Entertainment industry credentials | Entertainment industry credentials | For the entertainment stream, prove professional credentials and the activity arrangements. | Performance invitations, the artist's CV, and an industry support letter (and a union/association opinion if applicable). | |
| Australian Government Endorsed Event evidence | Australian Government Endorsed Event evidence | Prove the event/activity you are participating in is government-endorsed (which may receive a fee reduction). | Organiser/government endorsement letter; the VAC may be waived for designated major international events. | |
| Adequate health insurance | Adequate health insurance | Covering medical care while in Australia; this is a 408 visa condition. | The policy covers the primary applicant and family members for the entire period. | |
| Health examination | Health examination | Meet health requirements. | A longer stay or certain activities usually require a health examination. | |
| Police clearance certificate(s) | Police clearance certificate(s) | Meet character requirements. | Countries of cumulative 12-month residence require it; with a NAATI translation. | |
| Evidence of financial capacity | Evidence of financial capacity | Prove you can support yourself while in Australia. | Bank statements or a statement of board/allowance provided by the assurer. | |
| Family relationship evidence | Family relationship evidence | If bringing family, prove the relationship is genuine. | Marriage/birth certificate, notarised, authenticated and translated. | |
| Recent photograph | Recent photograph | For identity verification. | White background, no headwear, taken within the last 6 months. |
FAQ
408 has so many streams; which should I choose?
Can you work and be paid on 408?
Will the visa fee be reduced for a government-endorsed international event?
Can the COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream still be applied for?
Common Refusal Reasons
- The activity does not fit the chosen stream's definition, or there is no eligible sponsor/supporter
- Staying over 3 months without the sponsor's written sponsorship or without including all family members
- Unable to prove sufficient funds and health insurance covering the entire period
- The intended work/activity exceeds the scope of the nominated activity (treated as disguised work)
- Unable to prove a genuine temporary entry intention, or character or health not met
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.