Australia Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa - Subclass 400

What Is the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa?

Subclass 400 is a temporary work visa for people who need to travel to Australia to undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work. The work must be genuinely temporary and require specialised skills, knowledge or experience.

The visa is not designed for ongoing employment or to maintain continuous residence in Australia. The applicant must intend to stay temporarily and undertake only the work or activities permitted by the visa.

Who Can Apply for a Subclass 400 Visa?

An applicant must generally be able to show that they have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience that:

• can assist an Australian business;
• cannot reasonably be found in the Australian labour market;
• are required for short-term work;
• relate to work that is non-ongoing; and
• will be used only for the work or activities for which the visa is granted.

Home Affairs defines non-ongoing work as work that is likely to be completed within a continuous period of six months or less, with no expectation or arrangement to remain in Australia for a purpose related to that work after that period.

Genuine temporary stay

The applicant must genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia and comply with the purpose and conditions of the visa. Home Affairs can consider the applicant's circumstances, immigration history, previous compliance with visa conditions and any other relevant matter.

How Long Can You Stay on a Subclass 400 Visa?

Home Affairs can grant a subclass 400 visa for up to six months, depending on the circumstances. For a requested stay longer than three months, applicants should generally provide a strong business case explaining why the longer period is necessary.

The stay period begins on the date of first entry into Australia and does not restart each time the visa holder travels.

Single or multiple entry

The visa may be granted for single or multiple entry. The grant letter states the travel facility and the period in which the visa holder must first enter Australia. A multiple-entry visa does not extend or restart the authorised stay period.

Can subclass 400 be extended?

No. A subclass 400 visa cannot be extended from within Australia. A person who needs to remain longer must consider whether another visa is available and appropriate.

Highly Specialised Work Requirements

The central requirement is that the applicant will undertake short-term work requiring specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can assist Australian business and are not reasonably available in the Australian labour market.

Applicants should show why the work requires their particular expertise and why the position is genuinely temporary. Evidence can include:

• a detailed curriculum vitae or resume;
• educational or professional qualifications;
• professional licences or registrations;
• employment references;
• a letter from the overseas employer explaining the applicant's current position and duties;
• evidence of specialised technical knowledge or proprietary expertise; and
• evidence showing why the required skills are not reasonably available in Australia.

Impact on Australian employment and training

The visa cannot be granted where the proposed work would adversely affect employment or training opportunities for Australian citizens or permanent residents. In appropriate cases, the Australian business or overseas employer may need to show that it has attempted to find suitably skilled workers in Australia.

Entertainment and Promotional Activities

Subclass 400 has limited application to entertainment-related work. It can cover certain promotional activities or participation in a production that will not be shown in Australia, subject to the relevant requirements.

Subclass 400 generally does not permit a person to:

• perform as an entertainer in Australia;
• support an entertainer or group performing in Australia; or
• direct, produce or take part in a production that will be shown, broadcast or performed in Australia.

Applicants undertaking entertainment work intended for Australian audiences should consider whether the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) - Entertainment Activities stream is the appropriate visa.

Documents Required for Australian Subclass 400 Visa

The exact document checklist in ImmiAccount depends on the applicant's circumstances. Applicants should provide complete and decision-ready evidence.

Identity documents

• current passport page showing photograph and personal details;
• passport issue and expiry dates;
• national identity card, if applicable;
• evidence of change of name, if relevant; and
• other identity evidence requested by Home Affairs.

Qualifications and professional evidence

• educational or professional qualifications;
• professional registrations or licences;
• curriculum vitae or resume;
• employment history and references; and
• evidence of the specialist skills, knowledge or experience required for the proposed work.

Financial documents

The applicant must be able to support themselves and any accompanying family members while in Australia. Evidence can include employment contracts, bank statements, a letter from a financial institution, or evidence that the employer will provide allowances, accommodation or other support.

Employer, Invitation and Work Documents

The applicant should provide a letter of invitation, employment offer, employment contract or other document from the Australian organisation confirming the proposed work.

The supporting document should clearly explain:

• the applicant's position, duties or project;
• the expected duration of the work;
• why the applicant is required in Australia;
• the organisation's support for the visa application;
• employment conditions and wages; and
• the applicable Australian workplace standard or industry award where relevant.

Freelance work

Some genuine short-term freelance work may be accepted, such as a media assignment by a freelance journalist or photographer. Applicants should provide a detailed itinerary and evidence explaining the assignment and work to be undertaken.

Family Members on a Subclass 400 Visa

Eligible members of the family unit can be included in the subclass 400 application. Home Affairs currently identifies family members for this visa as a partner, dependent child or stepchild, and the partner's dependent children or stepchildren.

Partner documents

Where a partner is included, provide identity and relationship documents. This can include a current marriage certificate or evidence demonstrating a qualifying de facto relationship.

Dependent children under 18

For each dependent child under 18, provide identity documents and evidence of the parent-child relationship. If a person with parental responsibility is not travelling with the child, consent must be obtained where required.

Official Form 1229 - Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 (PDF)

Health, Character and Health Insurance

Health requirements

The applicant and included family members must meet the applicable Australian health requirements. Home Affairs may require medical examinations and will advise through ImmiAccount when examinations are required.

Character requirements

The applicant and relevant family members must meet Australian character requirements. Home Affairs will advise if police certificates or other character documents are required.

Health insurance

Home Affairs recommends that subclass 400 visa holders take out adequate health insurance because temporary residents can be personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia. Some visitors may have access to limited Medicare arrangements under a reciprocal healthcare agreement, depending on nationality and circumstances.

Subclass 400 Visa Application Cost

A visa application charge generally applies to the primary applicant and additional applicants. Home Affairs also provides limited charge exemptions, including specified foreign government representatives and persons covered by a legislative instrument.

From 1 July 2026, a lower subclass 400 visa cost applies to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who lodge a valid application. Eligible family members are also covered by the lower-cost arrangement based on the primary applicant's qualifying passport.

Visa charges can change. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging rather than relying on an older quoted fee.

Translations and Scanned Documents

All non-English documents must be translated into English. Upload both the original-language document and the English translation.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). A translator outside Australia does not have to be NAATI accredited but must provide their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in the language translated.

Home Affairs instructs applicants to upload clear colour scans or photographs of documents. If a document contains several pages, save the complete document as one file where possible.

Migration Assistance and Authorised Recipients

If a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person provides immigration assistance, or if another person will receive correspondence, use the relevant current Home Affairs form and upload it through ImmiAccount.

How to Apply for a Subclass 400 Visa

1. Confirm that the proposed work is short-term, highly specialised and non-ongoing.
2. Confirm that the applicant's skills, knowledge or experience meet the subclass 400 requirements.
3. Obtain an invitation, job offer, employment contract or supporting document from the Australian organisation.
4. Prepare evidence explaining the work, project, duration, duties and why the applicant is required.
5. Collect identity, qualifications, financial, family, health and character evidence.
6. Translate all non-English documents into English.
7. Create or sign in to ImmiAccount.
8. Complete the online subclass 400 application while outside Australia.
9. Attach the required supporting documents and pay the applicable visa charge.
10. Record the Transaction Reference Number and monitor ImmiAccount for requests from Home Affairs.

After Applying for the Visa

Applicants can use ImmiAccount to check messages, provide requested documents, update details and monitor the application status. Home Affairs may request biometrics, health examinations, police certificates or further evidence.

Do not arrange travel to Australia until Home Affairs confirms in writing that the visa has been granted.

If granted, the visa is digitally linked to the passport. The grant notification states the visa grant number, commencement date, entry arrangements, stay period and visa conditions. Visa holders can use VEVO to check their current visa details and conditions.