Australian 400 visa: when to use it, eligibility, and length of stay
The subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa allows visa holders to do short-term, highly specialised work that can’t be undertaken by an Australian worker. It is suited for work that is genuinely short-term and non-ongoing unlike other temporary work visas.
The subclass 400 visa can be used for:
- Urgent projects
- Specialised installations or repairs
- Short-term consultancy
- Participation in certain non-ongoing events
This article breaks down the key details of the subclass 400 visa in Australia.
Australian 400 visa in Australia at a glance
As a visa for highly specialised work and skills, the eligibility requirements and conditions for the subclass 400 are quite specific.
Are you Eligible for Australian 400 visa?
Eligible applicants of a subclass 400 visa must have specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can assist an Australian business. With this visa, holders can:
- Only do the work or activities for which the visa was granted
- Do short-term work in a highly specialised job
- Stay in Australia for up to three months. The visa may be granted for up to six months depending on the circumstances
- Bring family members with them
To employ an overseas worker on a subclass 400 visa, the employer must provide a contract or letter of offer for the employee.
This visa is granted with either single or multiple entry into Australia.
Fee to apply for subclass 400 visa
The cost of this visa is AUD$430* for the main applicant. Applicants are exempt from visa fees if they are:
- coming to Australia to a ct as a representative of a foreign government
- listed in a legislative instrument (the inviting organisation will advise if this applies)
Charges also apply for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. Each family member applying for this visa with the main applicant will also need to pay a visa application fee.
* Price is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. Consult the Department of Home Affairs website for confirmation of pricing.
What the subclass 400 visa for Australia lets you do (and what it doesn’t)
The subclass 400 allows visa holders to conduct highly specialised short-term work. This includes:
- Training staff
- Emergency work
- Participation in certain events
- Project based consulting
- Academic or research participation
Holders of a subclass 400 visa can’t:
- Engage in on-going work
- Work in the entertainment industry
- Engage in general work (work other than what the visa is approved for)
Who should not use a subclass 400 visa: better options to consider
The Australian 400 visa is specifically for highly specialised short-term work.
Businesses that require overseas specialised assistance on a long-term basis may be able to employ overseas workers using the following visas:
- Skills in Demand (previously TSS) (subclass 482) visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visas
Eligibility checklist for the subclass 400 visa
To be eligible for the subclass 400 visa, applicants need to be able to answer the following questions:
- Do you have specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can assist an Australian business?
- Are you able to support yourself and your dependants while in Australia?
- Do you meet health requirements?
- Do you meet character requirements?
- Are you a genuine visitor only planning to stay in Australian temporarily?
- Do you have any debt owing to the Australian Government?
- Have you had a visa cancelled or an application refused?
Required documentation
Applicants of the Australian 400 visa will need to prepare the following documents to support their visa application:
- Identity documents (passport, national identity card, marriage / divorce certificate etc)
- Work documents that prove the applicant has been employed by an Australian organisation
- Financial documents that show evidence of funds
- Character documents
- Partner documents
- Documents for dependants under 18 years of age
Employer invitation / support letter – what it must include
Applicants will need to provide an invitation or support letter from the organisation employing them during their stay in Australia. This documentation should include:
- Details of the position, duties or project that will be undertaken
- The duration of employment
- The reason the applicant is required to work in Australia
- Support for the visa application
- Employment conditions and wages
- The Australian workplace standards or industry award that applies to the position
Step by step: how to apply from outside Australia
To apply for a subclass 400 visa, applicants need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare documents
Applicants need to gather all documents. Where necessary, they need to have all non-English documents translated into English
Step 2: Apply for the visa
Applicants will need to create an ImmiAccount and lodge their application online, attaching all relevant supporting documentation
Step 3: Visa Outcome
Applicants will be advised by email of the visa outcome. The visa grant number, the date the visa starts and the condition of the visa will all be outlined.
H2: Fees and total costs (government charges and other expenses)
The visa application fee for the main applicant is AUD $430*. However, applicants may be exempt from this fee if they are:
- travelling to Australia as a representative of a foreign government
- listed in a relevant legislative instrument (the inviting organisation will advise if this applies).
Additional costs may also apply for health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, and any services provided by a registered migration agent. A separate visa application charge will also apply for each family member included in the application.
* Price is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. Consult the Department of Home Affairs website for confirmation of pricing.
Processing times, validity and entry conditions
Processing times
Due to the nature of the work required to be undertaken by subclass 400 visa holders, this visa is usually approved within a matter of days.
Like all visa applications, the following factors can affect visa application processing times:
- Whether a complete application was lodged with all necessary supporting documentation
- How quickly applicants respond to requests for additional information
- How long it takes to perform the required checks on the supporting information provided
- How long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies particularly in relation to health, character and national security requirements
Once an application is lodged, applicants can get an indication of processing times using the visa processing time guide tool.
Visa validity
The subclass 400 visa can be granted for up to six months, depending on the circumstances. For a subclass 400 visa to be granted for longer than three months, a strong business case must be provided with the application. Holders of this visa can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. Applicants will need to apply for a different visa if they wish to stay longer.
Entry Conditions
If the subclass 400 is granted as a single-entry visa, then holders of the visa can only enter Australia once. If the visa is granted as a multiple entry visa, then visa holders can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as they like for the duration of their visa.
Bringing family
Family members can be included in the main visa applicant’s visa application. The main applicant must be able to show that they have the funds to support themselves and their family while in Australia. Family members are not permitted to work or study in Australia and must meet health and character requirements.
Health, character, biometrics and insurance requirements
Health requirements
Subclass 400 visa applicants are required to meet minimum health standards before a visa is granted. Visa applicants may be required to have the following health examinations:
- Medical examination
- Chest x-ray
- HIV test
- Serum creatinine/eGFR
- Hepatitis B, if they were born in a country with a higher risk of hepatitis B
Character requirements
All visa applicants must meet character requirements to be granted a visa. Applicants with criminal convictions or charges in Australia or overseas may be denied entry into Australia.
When applying for the visa, applicants are asked to declare all criminal conduct they have been:
- charged with that is awaiting legal action in any country
- convicted of in any country
Once the application is lodged, the Department of Home Affairs may ask for the following:
- A police certificate
- Form 80 Personal particulars for character assessment
- Form 1563 – Statement of Character
- A military certificate and/or a Form 1399 – Declaration of Service
- A letter of good conduct from an employer
A visa may be cancelled if the visa holder no longer meets the character requirements.
Insurance
It is recommended that visa applicants have adequate health insurance while in Australia to cover any unforeseen medical treatment required. Visa holders are personally liable for healthcare costs while in Australia.
As with any type of travel, visa applicants are advised to take out travel insurance.
Common refusal reasons
A visa application can be refused for several reasons, including:
- The work does not meet the ‘short-term’ or ‘highly specialised’ requirement
- An incomplete employer letter
- Failure to meet health or character requirements
- Insufficient funds to cover expenses for the duration of the stay
Ensuring all eligibility requirements are met and the supporting documentation is complete and attached to the application will assist in minimising the chances of visa refusal.
After grant: obligations, visa conditions and compliance
Once the visa is granted, it is the responsibility of the applicant and their family to meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
The applicant must advise the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to contact details or circumstances.
If your project runs longer than expected
If the project the visa holder is working on exceeds the validity of the subclass 400 visa, you may be able to apply for another visa. Please contact us for advice.
Further assistance with the subclass 400
The team at Visa Solutions Australia can assist with preparing and applying for a subclass 400 visa. The registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia can review supporting documents, ensure visa applications are complete prior to submission and liaise with the Department of Home Affairs on their clients’ behalf. Contact us for advice and to discuss your immigration needs.
*Disclaimer : Information is general guidance and not legal advice. Check the current Australian Government rules or consult with a registered migration agent.
FAQs
No. The subclass 400 visa is designed for applicants who are outside Australia at the time of application and decision.
A subclass 400 visa is usually granted for up to three months. In exceptional cases, it may be granted for up to six months, but this requires a strong business case demonstrating why a longer stay is necessary. This visa cannot be extended beyond the granted period.
Processing times can vary depending on factors such as document quality, health and character checks, and whether additional information is requested.
The employer’s invitation or support letter is a critical document and should clearly outline:
- The details of the role, duties, or project
- The expected duration of the work
- Why the applicant’s specialised skills are required
- Confirmation of support for the visa application
- Employment conditions and wages
- The applicable Australian workplace standards or industry award
No. Subclass 400 visa holders are restricted to the specific work, employer, and activities approved in their visa grant. Changing employers, roles, or worksites is not permitted unless a new visa application is lodged and approved.
Yes, eligible family members can be included in the visa application. However, partners and dependent children are not permitted to work or study in Australia while on a subclass 400 visa. They must also meet health and character requirements.
If your project is extended beyond the validity of your subclass subclass 400 visa, you will need to apply for a different visa before your current visa expires.
- The subclass 400 visa is for short‑term, highly specialised, non‑ongoing work and does not require sponsorship.
- The subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa is for longer‑term employment to address skills shortages and requires employer sponsorship.
- The subclass 600 Business Visitor visa allows limited business activities such as meetings or conferences but does not permit work.
Each visa serves a different purpose and choosing the right one depends on the nature and duration of the work.
No. A formal skills assessment and labour market testing are not required for the subclass 400 visa. However, applicants must still demonstrate that they have highly specialised skills, knowledge, or experience that cannot reasonably be sourced from the Australian labour market.
