Subclass 408

The Temporary Activity Visa (408): For Specific, Sponsored, Short-Term Activities.

The 408 isn't a general work visa. It's a flexible short-stay visa for people coming to Australia to do one defined activity - an entertainment job, a sporting event, religious work, research, an invited program, or a government-endorsed event. Most streams need an approved sponsor, and the visa is tied to that activity.

Several activity streamsShort-term and specificUsually needs a sponsor

Start My Visa Assessment Speak With a Registered Agent

What the 408 Is

You're here for one named activity - the visa is tied to it from start to finish.

The Temporary Activity visa is a short-stay visa built for one purpose: to let someone come to Australia and do a specific, defined activity for a limited period. It covers entertainment, professional sport, religious work, research, special programs, invited participants, and Australian Government endorsed events. Each stream has its own rules, but most need an approved sponsor or supporting body backing your application.

This is not a back door into general work. The 408 only works when your activity matches a defined stream and, in most cases, when an Australian sponsor or supporting body is behind it. If you want to come and work in any job, this isn't the route - and we'll tell you that early rather than waste your time and money.

What You'll Need

Getting the stream right at the start is what makes or breaks a clean application.

An activity that fits one of the defined 408 streams
An approved sponsor or supporting body (required for most streams)
A genuine, time-limited purpose for your stay
The usual health and character requirements

Because the streams are so different, the documents differ too. An entertainer's application looks nothing like a researcher's or a religious worker's. The 408 also sits apart from the 407 Training visa (for structured workplace training) and the 482 Skills in Demand visa (for ongoing skilled work). If your situation is really about training or ongoing work, one of those will fit better.

The Activity Streams

The 408 is several streams under one subclass - the right one depends on what you're actually here to do.

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa isn't a single visa with one set of rules. It groups together a number of distinct activity streams, each with its own purpose, sponsorship arrangement and conditions. Getting the stream right at the outset is what shapes the whole application. The table below sets out the main streams at a glance.

Stream	Who it's for	Usually needs a sponsor or supporting body?
Entertainment	Performers, film and TV crew, production staff and support roles coming for specific entertainment work.	Yes - an entertainment sponsor or supporting body.
Sport (invited and high-level)	Professional or high-level sportspeople, coaches, officials and adjudicators here to compete or work in a sporting activity.	Yes, in most cases - a sporting body or sponsor.
Religious work	People doing full-time religious work for a registered religious organisation in Australia.	Yes - a religious institution as supporting body.
Research	Researchers and observers taking part in a research project with an Australian institution.	Yes - typically a university or research body.
Special programs	Participants in approved programs such as youth exchange, community-based or cultural programs.	Yes - an approved special program sponsor.
Invited by the Australian Government	People formally invited to take part in an activity of national interest, or skilled workers under a relevant arrangement.	Sometimes - depends on the specific arrangement.
Government-endorsed events	Participants and support staff for an event endorsed by an Australian Government agency.	Endorsement by the relevant agency is required.

These streams overlap less than people expect, and the wrong one can sink an otherwise strong case. If your activity could sit in more than one stream - or you're not sure it fits any - that's exactly the point to get a registered agent to look before you lodge. You can discuss your specific activity with our Perth migration agent, and read more about our registered migration agents and their experience with 408 applications.

What does a 408 cost? There's no single, fixed price we can quote on a page - the government charge and our professional fee both depend on your stream, who's sponsoring you, whether dependants are included and how complex the activity is. Fees depend on your circumstances and we quote in writing before you commit. See fees and how we quote.

Common Questions

408 temporary activity questions.

Who counts as an approved sponsor for the 408?

Most 408 streams require an Australian supporting organisation or approved sponsor. For entertainment, this might be an entertainment company or promoter. For religious work, a registered religious organisation. For research, a university or research institution. The sponsor has to be appropriate for the specific activity stream - one type of sponsor doesn't work across all streams.

How long can I stay on a 408?

The 408 is a short-stay visa tied to the specific activity. Stay length depends on the stream and the activity, but it's generally limited to the duration of the activity or event. Extensions may be possible if the activity continues, but the 408 isn't designed for long-term stays.

What's the difference between the 408 and the 407 Training visa?

The 407 is specifically for structured workplace training designed to develop your skills in your occupation. The 408 is for doing a specific defined activity - entertainment, sport, religious work, research. If you're primarily here to be trained, the 407 fits. If you're here to perform, compete, minister or research, the 408 is more likely right.

Can I work for pay in Australia on a 408?

It depends on the stream. Some 408 streams allow payment for the activity - entertainers and sports professionals typically receive payment. Others are unpaid or cover only specific costs. Work for a different employer on the side is generally not permitted. The 408 is tied to the specific activity and its conditions.

What are the main activity streams under the 408 visa?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa covers several distinct streams. The main ones are: entertainment (performers, film and TV crew and support staff); high-level or invited sport (athletes, coaches, officials); religious work for a registered religious organisation; research with an Australian institution; special programs such as youth, cultural or community exchange; people invited by the Australian Government for an activity of national interest; and participants in a government-endorsed event. Each stream has its own purpose and sponsorship arrangement, so the first job is matching your activity to the correct stream - the table above sets them out side by side.

What happens if my sponsor or supporting body is refused or withdrawn?

For most streams the sponsor or supporting body is central to the application, so if their support is refused or withdrawn it can affect whether your visa can be granted or continue. If this happens while you're already in Australia, a bridging visa may keep your status lawful while options are worked through, depending on your circumstances. The right next step varies a lot case by case - sometimes a new supporting body or a different visa pathway is possible, sometimes it isn't - so it's worth getting advice quickly rather than waiting. We can talk you through where you stand.

Can family members come with me on a 408 visa?

Eligible family members - generally your partner and dependent children - can usually be included as dependants in your 408 application. They have to meet the same health and character requirements as you, and they're added either at lodgement or, in some cases, afterwards. Their inclusion can also affect costs and the sponsor's obligations, since the activity arrangement extends to dependants. We confirm who can be included and how to document them as part of preparing your application.

Is the 408 a pathway to permanent residency?

No - the 408 is temporary by design. It's tied to a specific, time-limited activity and doesn't itself lead to permanent residency. That said, time spent in Australia on a 408 doesn't close other doors: if you separately qualify, you may be able to move on to a skilled or employer-sponsored visa such as the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa, and some of those pathways can lead to permanent residency over time. Any such move is assessed on its own merits, not granted because you held a 408. If permanent residency is your real goal, tell us early so we can map a realistic route.

How long does a 408 application take to process?

Processing times vary by stream, how complete the application is, and how busy the department is at the time, so we won't quote a fixed number that could mislead you. As a rule, applications that are well prepared - the right stream, a sponsor or supporting body in place, and clean health and character evidence - move more smoothly than ones that arrive with gaps. Because some streams are time-sensitive around an event or season, it's generally wise to start as early as you can. We'll give you a realistic, current expectation for your specific stream when we assess your situation.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Work visa insteadSkills in Demand 482If ongoing skilled work is what you need.TrainingTraining Visa 407Structured workplace training - a different stream.Visitor visaVisitor Visa 600If the 408 doesn't fit your activity.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Coming to Australia for a specific activity?

Tell us what you're doing and who's backing it - we'll confirm which stream applies and get the application right the first time.