Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa Subclass 400

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa Subclass 400 Australia

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400) is designed for eligible overseas workers who need to travel to Australia temporarily to undertake highly specialised, short-term work.

The visa can be suitable for specialist workers, technicians, professionals and other individuals whose skills or expertise are required for a specific temporary activity in Australia.

Unlike longer-term employer-sponsored visas, Subclass 400 is intended for short-term, non-ongoing work rather than an ongoing position in Australia. The proposed work must fit within the requirements of the visa and the applicant's individual circumstances.

What Is the Subclass 400 Visa?

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa allows eligible applicants to undertake specific specialised work in Australia for a short period.

Home Affairs includes Subclass 400 among Australia's short-stay work visas for specific types of highly specialised work.

It may be relevant where an Australian business needs overseas expertise for a particular short-term project, installation, repair, technical activity or specialist assignment.

The visa is generally not intended to replace Australia's longer-term skilled migration or employer-sponsored visa programs.

Who May Consider a Subclass 400 Visa?

The visa may be appropriate for people who have specialist skills, knowledge or experience needed for a temporary Australian project.

Potential applicants can include:

• Specialist technicians

• Engineers and technical professionals

• Installation and commissioning specialists

• Skilled tradespeople undertaking specific specialist work

• Specialist business professionals

• Equipment or machinery specialists

• Overseas experts required for a particular project

• Certain media or specialist workers where the proposed activity meets the visa requirements

The actual eligibility of an applicant depends on the proposed work, qualifications, experience, Australian organisation involved and the circumstances of the application.

Main Purpose of the Subclass 400 Visa

The Subclass 400 visa is intended for short-term specialist activities that are not ongoing.

Examples may include:

• Installing or commissioning specialised equipment

• Repairing or servicing specialist machinery

• Providing highly specialised technical expertise

• Undertaking a specific short-term project

• Providing specialist knowledge that is required temporarily

• Carrying out certain short-term media or journalism activities where the visa requirements are satisfied

Home Affairs also identifies workers such as exhibit installers, stand constructors, supervisors and event organisers as examples of workers who may potentially be eligible for the Subclass 400 visa in appropriate circumstances.

Highly Specialised Skills and Experience

A key consideration is whether the applicant has the specialist skills, knowledge or experience required for the proposed Australian activity.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their expertise is relevant to the work they intend to perform.

Supporting evidence may include:

• Employment contracts

• Employer letters

• Professional qualifications

• Technical certifications

• Résumés or CVs

• Evidence of previous specialist experience

• Project documentation

• Statements from the Australian business

• Details of the equipment, technology or specialist services involved

The evidence should clearly establish why the applicant's specialist expertise is relevant to the proposed temporary activity.

Australian Organisation or Business

The proposed activity will generally involve an Australian business or organisation that requires the applicant's specialist expertise.

Supporting documentation should clearly explain:

• The nature of the Australian project

• The applicant's proposed duties

• Why the applicant is required

• The expected duration of the work

• The applicant's specialist qualifications and experience

• The Australian organisation involved

• The employment or contractual arrangements

• Why the proposed activity is temporary and non-ongoing

A clear explanation of the project can be particularly important where the work is highly specialised or technically complex.

Is Sponsorship Required?

The Subclass 400 visa should not be confused with employer-sponsored skilled visas such as Subclass 482.

The visa has its own eligibility framework and does not simply require an employer to become an approved sponsor in the same way as a standard employer-sponsored skilled visa.

However, applicants may need supporting documentation from the Australian organisation or business involved in the proposed activity.

Home Affairs advises organisations bringing people to Australia for temporary activities to provide relevant registration or invitation documentation where applicable.

How Long Can You Stay in Australia?

The Subclass 400 visa is designed for a short stay.

The length of stay granted depends on the circumstances of the application and the proposed temporary work.

Applicants should not assume that every Subclass 400 visa will automatically be granted for three or six months.

The Department assesses the proposed activity and individual circumstances when determining the appropriate visa period.

Can a Subclass 400 Visa Be Extended?

A Subclass 400 visa should not be treated as a general pathway for repeatedly extending temporary employment in Australia.

If the proposed work changes significantly, becomes ongoing or requires a longer-term arrangement, another visa may be more appropriate.

Applicants should consider their future visa strategy before commencing a temporary specialist assignment.

Can You Work in Australia on a Subclass 400?

Yes, the visa is specifically designed to allow eligible visa holders to undertake the approved short-term specialist work for which the visa was granted.

However, the visa is not a general work authorisation for unrestricted employment in Australia.

Your work must remain consistent with the purpose and conditions of your visa.

If your circumstances change, you should check whether a different visa is required before undertaking additional work.

Subclass 400 Visa Requirements

Depending on the circumstances, applicants may need to demonstrate:

Specialist Skills

You must have the skills, knowledge or experience relevant to the proposed specialist activity.

Genuine Temporary Purpose

You must demonstrate that your proposed stay and work are temporary and consistent with the purpose of the Subclass 400 visa.

Relevant Australian Activity

The proposed work must fall within the activities permitted under the visa.

Health Requirements

You may need to satisfy Australia's applicable health requirements.

Character Requirements

You may need to provide police certificates or other evidence to satisfy character requirements.

Financial Capacity

You may need to demonstrate that you have adequate funds or appropriate financial arrangements for your stay, depending on your circumstances.

Supporting Documentation

You should provide sufficient evidence supporting the proposed work, your specialist expertise and the temporary nature of the activity.

Documents Commonly Used for a Subclass 400 Application

Depending on your circumstances, supporting documents can include:

• Valid passport

• Recent photographs where required

• Detailed CV

• Employment evidence

• Qualifications and certificates

• Professional registrations or licences

• Australian invitation or supporting letter

• Employment or service contract

• Project description

• Job or duty description

• Evidence of specialist experience

• Evidence of financial capacity

• Health documents where requested

• Police certificates where required

• Evidence relating to the Australian business or organisation

Additional documentation may be required depending on the applicant and proposed activity.

Subclass 400 Visa Cost

Visa application charges can change and may depend on the circumstances of the application.

For this reason, publishing an old fixed amount such as AUD 535 as the current Subclass 400 application charge is not recommended.

The Department of Home Affairs states that visa costs can change and recommends checking the current visa pricing information when applying. Additional costs may also arise for health examinations, police certificates, translations and other supporting requirements.

Applicants should check the current Home Affairs Visa Pricing Table or Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging the application.

Subclass 400 Visa Processing Time

Processing times can change depending on application volumes, completeness, external checks, health and character requirements and the complexity of the application.

There is no guaranteed processing period.

Home Affairs advises applicants to use its current processing-time information as a guide and notes that processing times are not a guarantee that an application will be finalised within a particular period.

For this reason, applicants should lodge their application well before their intended travel and work commencement date.

Family Members

Whether family members can accompany or be included in an application depends on the applicable visa rules and the individual circumstances.

Applicants should check the current Home Affairs requirements before making travel arrangements for family members.

Family members should not be assumed to have unrestricted work or study rights simply because they accompany a Subclass 400 visa holder.

Can You Study on a Subclass 400?

The Subclass 400 visa is primarily designed for temporary specialist work.

Any proposed study should be checked against the visa conditions and the applicable migration rules before commencing a course or programme in Australia.

Can You Travel in and Out of Australia?

Travel rights depend on the visa granted and its conditions.

Applicants should carefully check their visa grant notification to determine the applicable travel period and number of permitted entries.

Do not make travel arrangements based solely on a standard assumption about single or multiple entry.

Subclass 400 and Australian Workplace Laws

People working in Australia may be protected by Australian workplace laws regardless of their temporary visa status.

Employers and overseas workers should ensure that employment arrangements comply with applicable Australian workplace requirements, including relevant minimum employment standards and other applicable workplace laws.

Subclass 400 vs Subclass 482

The Subclass 400 and Subclass 482 visas serve different purposes.

Subclass 400

• Designed for short-term specialist work

• Intended for non-ongoing activities

• Suitable for specific temporary projects or specialist assignments

• Not designed as a standard long-term employer-sponsored pathway

Subclass 482

The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) is a temporary employer-sponsored skilled visa with Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams.

It is designed for eligible skilled workers who are sponsored by an approved Australian employer and may, depending on circumstances, form part of a longer-term pathway towards permanent residency.

Choosing between Subclass 400 and Subclass 482 depends on the nature and duration of the proposed work and the applicant's circumstances.

Subclass 400 vs Visitor Visa

A Visitor visa is generally intended for tourism, visiting family or business visitor activities that do not amount to work requiring a work visa.

If an overseas professional needs to undertake actual specialist work in Australia, a suitable work visa such as Subclass 400 may need to be considered.

The correct visa depends on the activities the person intends to undertake in Australia.

Does Subclass 400 Lead to Permanent Residency?

The Subclass 400 visa is not itself a permanent residency pathway.

It is designed for temporary specialist work.

If your long-term objective is to live and work permanently in Australia, you may need to explore another visa pathway, such as an employer-sponsored skilled visa, skilled migration or another visa for which you qualify.

Common Reasons for Subclass 400 Applications

A Subclass 400 application may be considered where an Australian business needs overseas expertise for a specific temporary requirement, such as:

• Specialist equipment installation

• Machinery commissioning

• Technical repairs

• Specialist engineering work

• Short-term project expertise

• International technical support

• Specialist event-related work

• Certain short-term media activities

The specific activity must satisfy the requirements of the visa.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Before lodging a Subclass 400 application, consider:

• Is the proposed work genuinely short-term?

• Is the work highly specialised?

• Does your experience match the proposed activity?

• Is there sufficient evidence explaining why your specialist expertise is required?

• Is the Australian project clearly documented?

• Does the proposed work comply with Australian workplace requirements?

• Are your health and character requirements satisfied?

• Do you have the necessary supporting documents?

• Is Subclass 400 more appropriate than Subclass 482, Subclass 408 or another visa?

Selecting the correct visa before travelling to Australia can help reduce the risk of using a visa that does not match your intended activities.

Get Professional Australian Migration Advice

Temporary work visa requirements can depend on the precise nature of the proposed work, the applicant's qualifications and experience, the Australian organisation involved and the intended length of stay.

If you are planning to undertake specialist work in Australia, professional advice can help determine whether the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400) is appropriate for your circumstances.

The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd can assist eligible applicants with Australian visa applications and migration matters.

Registered Migration Agent: Navneet Kaur (MARN 2318181)

Contact our team to discuss your proposed temporary work in Australia and determine the visa pathway that may be appropriate for your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Subclass 400 visa?

The Subclass 400 is the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, designed for eligible people undertaking highly specialised, short-term work in Australia.

How long can I stay in Australia on a Subclass 400 visa?

The visa is designed for short stays. The period granted depends on the circumstances of the application and the proposed temporary activity.

Can I work for any Australian employer on a Subclass 400?

No. The visa is intended for the specific temporary specialist activity for which it is granted. It should not be treated as unrestricted Australian work permission.

Do I need an Australian sponsor for Subclass 400?

The Subclass 400 does not operate like the standard employer-sponsored Subclass 482 programme. However, supporting documentation from the Australian organisation involved in the proposed activity may be important.

Can I bring my family to Australia?

Family arrangements depend on the applicable visa rules and your circumstances. Check the current Home Affairs requirements before making arrangements.

Can Subclass 400 lead directly to PR?

No. Subclass 400 is a temporary specialist work visa and is not itself a permanent residency visa.

How much does the Subclass 400 visa cost?

Visa charges can change. Applicants should check the current Home Affairs pricing information at the time of application rather than relying on an older published fee.

How long does Subclass 400 processing take?

Processing times vary. Application completeness, health and character checks, external agencies, application volumes and individual circumstances can affect processing. Home Affairs does not guarantee a particular processing timeframe.

Can I use Subclass 400 for permanent or ongoing employment?

The visa is designed for short-term, non-ongoing specialist work. If the position is ongoing or you intend to remain in Australia for longer-term employment, another visa may be more appropriate.

Can I apply for Subclass 400 for a short technical project?

Potentially, yes. Specialist technical work can fall within the type of activities for which Subclass 400 may be considered, provided all applicable requirements are satisfied.