Visa And Stream Assessment
We review your proposed activity, role, experience and intended stay before recommending the next step.
Temporary Activity Visa
Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa Australia
The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa is for people who want to come to Australia for sports, entertainment, research, religious work, a cultural program or another approved temporary activity.
It may allow you to take part in a specific activity for a limited period. This is not a general work visa. Your role must fit one of the approved activity pathways, and you may need an Australian sponsor or supporter.
Think Higher Consultants helps applicants and Australian organisations identify the correct pathway from the beginning. We can assess your proposed activity, check the sponsorship requirements, prepare the supporting documents and lodge the visa application through ImmiAccount.
Book A Subclass 408 Visa Assessment
How We Help
Our Subclass 408 Visa Services
Think Higher Consultants supports both the visa applicant and the Australian organisation involved.
Sponsor Requirement Review
We check whether you need an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor, an eligible supporter or no sponsor under a specific pathway.
Temporary Activities Sponsor Application
We assist eligible Australian organisations with sponsor eligibility, business documents, sponsor application preparation, sponsorship obligations and Department requests.
Activity Evidence Preparation
We help prepare and review the invitation, contract, role description, event schedule, research documents, sporting endorsement or other pathway-specific evidence.
Subclass 408 Visa Application
We prepare the application, organise the supporting documents and lodge the case through ImmiAccount.
Family Member Applications
We guide you through including an eligible spouse, de facto partner or dependent child and advise on relationship and dependency documents.
Further Information Requests
Where the Department asks for more documents or clarification, we help prepare a clear response based on the issues raised.
Visa Condition Guidance
We explain the conditions attached to the visa, including any limits on the work or activity you can undertake.
Approved Activities
Subclass 408 Visa Streams
The Temporary Activity Visa covers 10 main activity pathways.
| Activity Pathway | Who It May Suit |
|---|---|
| Sporting Activities | Elite players, coaches, instructors, adjudicators and eligible sports trainees |
| Entertainment Activities | Performers, production staff and eligible support personnel working in film, television or live productions |
| Research Activities | Established academics and eligible overseas student researchers |
| Religious Work | People undertaking eligible full-time religious duties for an Australian religious institution |
| Staff Exchange Arrangements | Skilled workers taking part in a genuine reciprocal staff exchange |
| Special Program | Participants in approved youth, cultural, community or school programs |
| Invited Participant | People invited to take part in certain short-term social or cultural activities |
| Australian Government Endorsed Events | Approved participants connected to a government-endorsed event |
| Superyacht Crew | Eligible crew members working on a superyacht in Australia |
| Domestic Work For Executives | Domestic workers employed in the household of certain senior overseas executives |
Workplace Justice Pathway
The Workplace Justice pathway also operates under the Australian Government Endorsed Events provisions. It may allow an eligible temporary migrant to remain in Australia while pursuing a certified workplace exploitation matter. Unlike most activity pathways, it does not require a sponsor or supporter.
We can review your proposed duties and identify the activity pathway that best matches your circumstances.
Sponsorship
Subclass 408 Visa Sponsorship
Many Subclass 408 applicants need an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor. The Australian organisation may need to apply for sponsor approval before supporting the visa applicant. This is a separate application from the Subclass 408 visa application.
Temporary Activities Sponsor
- Provide accurate information about the activity
- Keep relevant records
- Tell the Department about important changes
- Cooperate with government inspectors
- Follow Australian workplace laws
- Meet applicable sponsorship obligations
Temporary Activities Sponsor approval currently costs AUD420, and processing times vary.
Sponsor Or Supporter?
A sponsor and a supporter are not the same.
Formal sponsorship is generally required for many applicants who apply from inside Australia or plan to stay for more than 3 months.
For some applicants applying from outside Australia for a stay of 3 months or less, an eligible organisation may provide a support letter instead.
- The applicant’s name
- The proposed activity
- The applicant’s role
- The activity dates
- The activity location
The supporter option does not apply to every pathway. This should be checked before preparing the application.
Planning Requirements
Health Insurance, Fees And Processing Time
Australia Visa 408 Health Insurance
Applicants must have adequate health insurance for their intended stay in Australia. The insurance should cover the primary applicant and any family members included in the application.
Evidence may include a policy certificate showing who is covered, the policy start and end dates, and the type of healthcare cover provided.
Do not assume that a basic travel insurance policy will be accepted. Health insurance and immigration health checks are also different requirements. You may still be asked to complete medical examinations even when you already hold suitable insurance.
Explore Health Cover408 Visa Australia Fee
For many Subclass 408 applicants, the visa application charge starts from AUD535 from 1 July 2026.
The final amount can depend on:
- The activity pathway
- Whether a reduced or nil charge applies
- The number of family members included
- The age of each family member
- Whether the application is lodged inside Australia
- The applicant’s previous Australian visa history
- Whether a subsequent temporary application charge applies
A separate AUD420 sponsor application charge may apply if the Australian organisation needs Temporary Activities Sponsor approval.
Other possible costs include:
- Health examinations
- Police certificates
- Health insurance
- Document translations
- Biometrics
- Professional service fees
Government fees can change. The exact amount should always be checked using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before lodgement.
Subclass 408 Visa Processing Time
There is no fixed processing time for every Subclass 408 application.
The time taken can depend on:
- The activity pathway
- Whether sponsor approval is already in place
- The quality of the documents
- Health and character checks
- Verification of the organisation or activity
- Requests for more information
- Current application volumes
The Home Affairs processing time guide is based on recently decided applications. It is only an estimate and does not guarantee when your application will be decided.
A well-prepared application cannot guarantee a faster outcome. It can, however, reduce delays caused by missing documents, unclear duties or the wrong activity pathway.
Document Planning
Documents You May Need
Your document checklist will depend on the selected activity.
Personal Documents
- Passport
- Identity documents
- Current CV
- Qualifications
- Employment or activity history
- Health insurance
- Financial evidence
- Police certificates where required
- Health examinations where required
Activity Documents
- Invitation letter
- Contract or agreement
- Role description
- Activity dates and locations
- Event schedule or itinerary
- Research agreement
- Sporting endorsement
- Religious work agreement
- Staff exchange agreement
- Program approval
- Industry licences or approvals
Sponsor Or Supporter Documents
- Sponsor approval details
- Support letter where permitted
- Organisation registration documents
- Evidence of the organisation’s role
- Details of the proposed activity
- Evidence of the organisation’s ability to support the arrangement
Think Higher Consultants provides a checklist based on the actual activity. We do not use one generic checklist for every Subclass 408 application.
Think Higher Consultants
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
A Subclass 408 application may involve the applicant, an Australian sponsor or supporter, and activity-specific documents. Even where the applicant has suitable experience, the application may face issues if the activity, sponsorship arrangement or evidence does not meet the relevant requirements.
Registered Migration Assistance
Migration advice is provided through Registered Migration Agent Aneel Khowaja, MARN 1571699.
Over 11 Years Of Industry Experience
We have more than 11 years of experience supporting clients with Australian education and migration matters.
Applicant And Sponsor Support
We assist both visa applicants and Australian organisations involved in the proposed temporary activity.
Activity-Specific Documents
We prepare documents based on the selected Subclass 408 activity rather than using one general checklist for every application.
Correct Application Sequence
We help manage the sponsor and visa application stages in the correct order where formal sponsorship is required.
Visa Condition Guidance
We explain the conditions attached to the visa, including restrictions on work, activities or changes after the visa is granted.
Flexible Consultations
Applicants and organisations can access online or in-person consultation options based on their location and needs.
Before And After Lodgement Support
We assist with application preparation, lodgement and relevant requests received from the Department during processing.
Think Higher Consultants provides practical advice based on your circumstances. Sponsorship approval, visa approval and processing times remain decisions of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Common Questions
Subclass 408 Visa FAQs
How long can I stay on a Subclass 408 visa?
Many pathways allow a stay of up to 2 years. The Special Program and Superyacht Crew pathways generally allow up to 12 months, while the Invited Participant pathway is generally limited to 3 months.
Can I include my family?
An eligible spouse, de facto partner or dependent child may be included. Each family member must meet the relevant requirements.
Can I work for another employer?
The Subclass 408 visa is linked to the activity for which it was granted. It does not provide unrestricted work rights.
Does every applicant need a sponsor?
No. Some short-stay offshore applicants may use an eligible supporter. The Workplace Justice pathway does not require a sponsor or supporter.
Does the Subclass 408 visa lead to permanent residence?
No. It is a temporary visa and does not provide an automatic pathway to permanent residence.
Subclass 408 Assessment
Review Your Activity And Sponsorship Requirements
Tell us about the proposed activity, your role, intended stay and the Australian organisation involved. Our team can assess the next practical step.
- Activity pathway review
- Sponsor or supporter assessment
- Activity-specific document planning
- Visa application and condition guidance