What are the eligibility requirements for the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

General eligibility criteria for the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa include: Skills and Experience: You must have the skills, qualifications, or experience relevant to undertake the specific activity in Australia Invitation or Sponsorship: You must have an invitation from an Australian organisation or be sponsored by an approved sponsor (required if staying more than 3 months) Genuine Temporary Entrant: You must demonstrate genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily Financial Capacity: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members during your stay Health Insurance: You must have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay Stream Requirements: You must meet the specific requirements of your chosen visa stream Character and Health: You and all family members must meet character and health requirements

What are the different streams under the Subclass 408 Visa?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa offers multiple streams for different activities: Special Programs: Cultural enrichment, youth exchange, school language assistance programs (up to 12 months) Sporting Activities: Professional athletes, coaches, instructors, or adjudicators (up to 2 years) Entertainment: Film, television, live productions as performers or support staff (up to 2 years) Religious Work: Full-time religious work for a religious institution (up to 2 years) Research Activities: Academic research or observation at Australian institutions (up to 2 years) Invited Participants: Participation in community-based events, conferences, or social activities (varies) Australian Government Endorsed Events: Government-endorsed activities or events (up to 4 years) Domestic Worker (Executive): Household work for senior foreign executives (up to 2 years) Superyacht Crew: Work as a crew member on a superyacht (up to 12 months) Staff Exchange: Reciprocal staff exchange programs (varies) Each stream has specific eligibility criteria and duration limits.

What fees apply to a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa application?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa involves government charges: Government Lodgement Fees: The base visa application charge is currently AUD $535, with additional fees for dependants. Some streams may have different fee structures (check the official website for the latest figures). Professional Fees: Our firm generally requires payment of professional fees upon signing the service agreement. This ensures we can dedicate the necessary resources to your case. Payment Methods: We accept credit cards for both government and professional fees.

How long does the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa process take?

Processing times for the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa vary by stream: Preparation Time: Securing sponsorship, gathering documentation, and preparing your application typically takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on your activity stream and sponsor. However, our firm can expedite the process for urgent cases. Department of Home Affairs Processing Time: Times vary by stream. As of August 2026 the Department reports that for the Entertainment Activities stream 50% of applications are decided within 14 days and 90% within 20 days, and for the Sporting Activities stream 50% are decided within 9 days and 90% within 50 days. Check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for current processing times.

What are the total costs for a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa involves the following costs: Government Lodgement Fees: The base application charge is currently AUD $535, with additional fees for dependants (check the official website for the latest figures). Professional Fees: Our professional fees depend on the complexity of your matter and the work involved. We set out a fixed written fee proposal after the initial discussion, so you know the cost before you commit.

Who can sponsor a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

Approved sponsors for the Subclass 408 visa vary by stream and may include: Australian Businesses: Companies, corporations, or non-profit organisations operating legally in Australia Government Agencies: Australian state or territory government agencies Foreign Government Agencies: Diplomatic missions, trade offices, or media bureaus operating in Australia Sporting Organisations: Bodies endorsing sports events or professional sporting activities Religious Institutions: Organisations recognised by the Australian Taxation Office Research Institutions: Australian universities and research facilities Entertainment Producers: Production companies for film, television, or live performances Superyacht Owners: Captains or operators of superyachts Australian Individuals: In some streams, Australian citizens or permanent residents can act as supporters The sponsor must pass the sponsorship test and have responsibility for the event or activity. Sponsorship is generally required if you intend to stay in Australia for more than 3 months.

Can I work in Australia on a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa?

Work rights on a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa depend on your stream: Limited Work Rights: You can only work in the specific role, program, or activity approved under your visa conditions Stream-Specific Restrictions: Some streams allow full-time work (e.g., religious work, domestic worker), while others limit work to specific activities (e.g., sporting events, entertainment productions) No Outside Work: You cannot work outside your specified activity without prior approval from the Department of Home Affairs Changing Employers: If you wish to change employers or sponsors, you must obtain permission and ensure the new activity aligns with an eligible 408 stream Work rights are clearly specified in your visa grant letter. Always check your conditions in VEVO.

Should I use a lawyer for my Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa application?

The Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa has multiple streams with varying requirements, making professional assistance valuable: Stream Selection: Determining the correct stream for your activity Sponsorship Arrangements: Securing and coordinating with approved sponsors Documentation Requirements: Each stream has different evidence requirements Genuine Temporary Entrant: Demonstrating your intention to stay temporarily Timing Considerations: Ensuring sponsorship approval before visa lodgement Compliance: Understanding work restrictions and visa conditions Immigration lawyers experienced with work visas can ensure your application is properly prepared, your chosen stream is appropriate, and all sponsorship requirements are met, improving your chances of approval and avoiding costly delays or refusals.

Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa

"I highly recommend Rocket & Ash Immigration Law! I worked with Ines and Jay for my Australian partner visa application, and they were absolutely fantastic. Visa processes are usually stressful, but they made everything feel easy and painless. Both Ines and Jay were incredibly attentive, always providing prompt communications via email and phone so I was never left wondering about the status of my application. Thanks to their expertise, my visa was granted without any delay. If you want a smooth, stress-free immigration experience, look no further than this team!"

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"Ines and Jay at Rocket & Ash Immigration Law were fantastic. They helped us sort out our dependent visa, made the process straightforward, and kept us informed every step of the way. Highly recommend."

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"I want to give my thanks to Jay and Ines for their quick and easy responses throughout my visa application process. They helped me obtain my visa in a very short deadline and even then my visa was also approved quickly! Would definitely come back for their services in the future!"

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"The immigration process is never easy. It comes with a lot of fear, stress, and uncertainty. But having the right lawyers makes all the difference.

Ines and Jay looked after my process with so much care and attention to details. They were always on top of the details, answered all my questions, and made sure everything was done properly at every step to mitigate any risks.

My 482 visa was approved in just 2 months, and I couldn’t be happier. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone going through this process. "

Thais Dos Santos Costa

"We cannot thank Ines and the team enough for helping us with our partner visa. from the very first consultation until our visa was granted, the support, communication, patience, and guidance were exceptional. What made the experience even more amazing was that our visa got approved in just 12 months! something we truly didn’t expect, but Ines made it possible with her expertise and care..."

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"Really want to thank Jay and Ines for all their help. My visa process was under a very tight deadline and with their guidance I was able to get everything I needed in time and happy to say that my visa was approved only one week after lodging it! Cannot recommend them enough."

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"Fantastic. Ines and the team from Rocket & Ash are true professionals. Ines brings a wealth of experience to the task of navigating the immigration process which relieves her clients of a lot of stress. The immigration process is a journey and Ines and Jay were with us the whole way. Can’t imagine doing it all without their support."

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"I feel so relieved to have gone to Rocket & Ash for my partner visa assistance. Having never done this process before, the idea of having to do it all alone was incredibly overwhelming. Ines & Jay did such a wonderful job of organizing everything we needed and setting expectations. I seriously do not know how I could have done this without them. Both are incredibly lovely people and meeting them prior to the start of this process was a huge reason as to why I decided to go with Rocket & Ash. Thank you all so so much!! Cheers."

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"Ines and Jay were amazing! I didn’t want to apply for my second student visa alone given the current climate, so I reached out to Rocket & Ash for help — and I’m so glad I did. From the very beginning, they made me feel safe, supported, and genuinely looked after. Ines was meticulous, ensuring every document was up to standard and nothing was missed. Jay was equally reassuring and knowledgeable, and together they guided me through every step with care and clarity. After such a positive experience, I’ll definitely be using them for future visa applications. Highly recommend them if you want a team that’s professional but also human."

Ashley Hodges

Engage in Temporary Work with the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa

Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa Application Process

Eligibility

Engagement

Review

Lodgement

Frequently Asked Questions

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