Subclass 400 · 407 · 408

Temporary Work Visas

Subclasses 400, 407 and 408 cover highly specialised short-term work, occupational training, and a wide range of other temporary activities in Australia. Each has its own purpose and requirements - the right one depends entirely on what you'll actually be doing here.

Overview

These three visas are often confused because they all sit under the 'temporary work and activity' umbrella, but they serve quite different purposes. The Subclass 400 is for short, highly specialised, non-ongoing work and generally requires you to be outside Australia when you apply. The Subclass 407 is specifically for structured occupational training under an approved sponsor. The Subclass 408 covers a wide range of other specific activities - from invited event participants and sports trainees to religious workers, superyacht crew and staff exchanges.

Because the requirements vary so much by subclass - and, for the 408, by which specific activity stream applies - we start by identifying exactly what you (or the business bringing you here) need the visa to achieve, then match that to the right subclass and stream.

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Recently graduated in Australia?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a separate pathway - legally a Skilled (Provisional) visa, not one of the temporary work and activity visas below - for people who've just finished an eligible Australian qualification.

Explore the Temporary Graduate visa

Health cover may be relevant

Learn about OVHC options before arranging cover for your stay.

View Health Insurance Information

Key facts

Subclasses: 400 · 407 · 408
400 purpose: Highly specialised, non-ongoing work (up to 6 months)
407 purpose: Structured occupational training under an approved sponsor
408 purpose: A range of specific activities (events, sport, religious work, staff exchange and more)
Sponsorship: Required for 407; varies by stream for 400 and 408
400 location rule: Applicant must generally be outside Australia at application and grant

Your visa options

There is usually more than one way forward. Here are the main pathways within temporary work visas.

400

Up to 6 months

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)

For applicants with attributes or experience relevant to highly specialised, non-ongoing work or a specific event. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted, and the visa permits a single period of up to 6 months.

407

Occupational training

Training

For structured occupational training arranged and nominated by an approved temporary activities sponsor. Requires functional English and adequate health insurance. Since 11 March 2026 the sponsorship and nomination must both be approved before the visa application can even be validly lodged.

408

Multiple activity streams

Temporary Activity

Covers many distinct activities - invited event participation, sports training, religious or domestic work, superyacht crew, staff and youth exchange programs, and more - each with its own specific criteria.

Is this pathway right for you?

This may suit you if:

You have been engaged for genuinely short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work (400)
An approved sponsor wants to bring you to Australia for structured occupational training (407)
You've been invited to participate in an event, competition or program in Australia (408)
You're a religious worker, domestic worker or superyacht crew member with an eligible sponsor (408)
Your organisation runs a staff exchange, youth exchange, or endorsed government program bringing people to Australia (408)
You want a straight answer on which of these three visas actually fits your situation

Why it's worth it

Purpose-built for the activity

Each subclass and stream is tailored to a specific kind of work or activity, rather than a one-size-fits-all work visa.

Faster than permanent pathways

These are temporary visas, generally quicker to obtain than a points-tested or employer-sponsored permanent visa.

Family inclusion (where eligible)

Depending on the subclass and stream, eligible family members can sometimes be included as secondary applicants.

Clarity between similar-sounding visas

We help you avoid applying for the wrong subclass, which can cause delay or refusal.

Supports genuine international engagement

Covers legitimate business, training, cultural, religious, sporting and exchange activity between Australia and the world.

Sponsor guidance

We help Australian businesses and organisations understand their sponsorship and nomination obligations.

This may not be the right fit if…

You're looking for ongoing, long-term employment - these are temporary, purpose-specific visas, not a general work visa
You want to apply for the 400 while already in Australia - you must be outside Australia to apply
You don't yet have the sponsor, nomination, invitation or support letter your stream requires
Your intended activity doesn't clearly fit any listed 408 stream

These are general pointers, not a determination about your case - book a consultation for advice specific to your situation.

General requirements

Every case is different, but you'll generally need to:

Have personal attributes or an employment background relevant to your proposed work or activity
For the 400: be outside Australia, and undertake work that is genuinely non-ongoing and highly specialised
For the 407: have an approved temporary activities sponsor whose training nomination has been approved before you lodge (a validity requirement since 11 March 2026), plus functional English and adequate health insurance
For the 408: satisfy the specific criteria for your activity stream (invited participant, sports trainee, religious worker, domestic worker, superyacht crew, exchange program or other listed stream), including sponsorship or support-letter requirements where relevant
Genuinely intend a temporary stay and meet health and character requirements

How we help

Our step-by-step process

We keep things clear and calm, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.

Identify the right subclass and stream

We work out what you'll actually be doing in Australia and match it to the correct visa and, for the 408, the correct activity stream.

Confirm sponsorship, nomination or invitation

We help arrange or verify the sponsor, nomination, invitation or support letter your subclass and stream require.

Prepare supporting evidence

We help assemble evidence of your experience, the activity itself, and how you meet the specific stream criteria.

Lodge your application

We prepare and lodge a clear, well-evidenced application, mindful of location requirements (especially for the 400).

Decision and next steps

We respond to any requests from the Department and explain your visa conditions once granted.

Documents you'll typically need

A general guide - we'll give you a tailored checklist for your situation.

Valid passport and identity documents
Evidence of relevant experience, qualifications or attributes
Sponsorship, nomination or invitation/support-letter documents for your subclass and stream
Evidence of the specific event, training program or activity
Health insurance evidence (407) or financial capacity evidence (400)
Health examinations and police clearances, if required

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to what people ask us most.

What's the actual difference between 400, 407 and 408?

The 400 is for short, highly specialised, non-ongoing work and generally requires you to apply from outside Australia. The 407 is specifically for structured occupational training arranged through an approved sponsor. The 408 covers a broad range of other specific activities - events, sport, religious and domestic work, superyacht crew, exchange programs and more - each assessed against its own stream criteria.

Can I apply for the 400 while I'm in Australia?

No. You must be outside Australia both when you apply for the Subclass 400 and when the visa is granted.

Do I need a sponsor?

It depends on the subclass and stream. The 407 always requires an approved temporary activities sponsor. Many 408 streams require a sponsor or a person/organisation that passes a support test; some don't. We'll confirm exactly what your situation requires.

What changed for the Training visa (subclass 407) in March 2026?

From 11 March 2026 the sponsorship and the training nomination must both be approved before a Training visa application can be validly lodged. Previously they could be lodged together. If you apply too early the application is invalid and the charge is refunded, which can be a serious problem if your current visa is close to expiring, because a bridging visa only comes from a valid application. Sponsors should start the process well ahead of the intended training start date. See the Department's notice for the details.

How long can I stay?

It varies by subclass, stream and what the Department grants - commonly up to 6 months for the 400, and periods set individually for 407 and 408 grants depending on the activity or training program. We'll give you a realistic picture for your specific case.

Can my family come with me?

Sometimes - eligibility for family members depends on the specific subclass and stream. We'll confirm whether your situation allows secondary applicants.

This page is general information only, not migration or legal advice. Requirements for subclasses 400, 407 and 408 - including sponsorship, nomination, activity streams and stay periods - are set by the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 and can change. Book a consultation for advice specific to your circumstances; we never guarantee a visa outcome.

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This is a guide, not a legal determination.