What is a Temporary Activity Visa?
The Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) allows applicants to visit Australia on a temporary basis to perform specific tasks or work for a short period. The visa has 10 different streams for various purposes and the duration of stay in Australia varies depending on the stream, ranging from 3 months to 4 years. Applicants can bring eligible family members with them as well.
The visa allows academic researchers to participate in research projects in Australia and allows the applicant to bring a dependent family member with them. This visa falls under the Employer-Sponsored Visas category and requires a sponsoring employer to apply for the visa.
Subclass 408 Visa Streams
The Subclass 408 Visa has 10 streams for the applicant to choose from.
Australian Govt. Endorsed Events: The 408 visa is a type of Australian visa that allows individuals to travel to or stay in Australia to participate in government-endorsed events. The duration of the visa can be for the length of the event or up to 4 years. The cost of the application is 310 AUD$, and the processing time is not specified. There is no visa fee for events related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Special Program Stream: The Special Program stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to stay in Australia for up to 12 months to participate in special events such as cultural enrichment, community programs, youth exchange or school language assistant. The cost of the visa application is 310 AUD$, and the processing time is 67 days for 75% of applications and 3 months for 90% of the applications.
Religious Work Stream: The Religious Work stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to stay in Australia for up to 2 years to perform full-time religious work for religious institutions. The applicant can bring their family to Australia and the cost of the application is 310 AUD$. The processing time for the visa is 6 months for 75% of applicants and 8 months for 90% of applicants.
Research Activity Stream: The Research Activity stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to stay in Australia for up to 2 years to participate in a research project for a research institute in Australia. The applicant can bring their family to Australia and the cost of the application is 310 AUD$. The processing time for the visa is 6 months for 75% of applicants and 20 months for 90% of applicants.
Invite for Social & Cultural Activity: The Invite for Social & Cultural Activity stream of the 408 visa is for invited participants only, and it allows individuals to live in Australia for 3 months to participate in community-based events, including sports events. The applicant can bring their family to Australia for up to 3 months. The cost of the application is 310 AUD$, and the processing time for the visa is 9 days for 75% of applicants and 19 days for 90% of applicants.
Sporting Activities Stream: The Sporting Activities stream of the 408 visa is for individuals who want to visit Australia to coach a sports team, adjudicate, or instruct the Australian National team, or perform high-level sports training with a reputable sports organization. The visa allows the applicant to bring their family and stay for up to 2 years. The processing time for the visa is 9 days for 75% of applicants and 19 days for 90% of applicants.
Entertainment Activity Stream: The Entertainment Activity stream of the 408 visa allows entertainment industry workers to visit and stay in Australia to work on film, television, or live productions as a performer, production, or support staff. The visa allows the applicant to bring their family with them. The cost of the application is 310 AUD$, and the processing time for the visa is 46 days for 75% of applicants and 60 days for 90% of applicants.
Super Yacht Crew Stream: The Superyacht Crew stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to work as crew member on a superyacht in Australia. The visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months. The cost of the application is 310 AUD$, and the processing time for the visa is 25 days for 75% of applicants and 28 days for 90% of applicants.
Exchange Arrangement Stream: The Exchange Arrangement stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to visit and stay in Australia as part of a staff exchange with an Australian organization. The duration of stay on this visa is 2 years and the applicant is allowed to bring their family with them.
Domestic Work for Executive Stream: The Domestic Worker (Executive) stream of the 408 visa allows individuals to work as full-time domestic worker in the household of a senior foreign executive in Australia. The visa allows the applicant to bring their family with them for up to 2 years.