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Eligibility and stream assessment
Back to ServicesTemporary Activity
Special-purpose visa — eligibility depends on your activity stream. Many former streams have closed since 2024–2025.
Temporary Activity
Visa (Subclass 408)
The Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) is a special-purpose temporary visa for approved activities in Australia. Eligibility depends on your specific activity stream — not general skilled migration criteria.
Our Australian registered migration agents assist with stream assessment, sponsor coordination, evidence preparation, and compliant lodgement for remaining open streams.
Prefer to talk first? +61 414 996 546·info@realmigration.com.au
Activity
Temporary
Subclass 408
Stream-Based
Temporary Activity Visa
(Subclass 408) Overview
Subclass 408 is a special-purpose temporary visa — not a mainstream skilled migration pathway. It enables eligible applicants to undertake approved short-term activities in Australia where a remaining stream is open and criteria are met.
Since 2024–2025, many streams have closed or are very limited. The former COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream is closed to new applications. Eligibility assessments should focus on currently available streams.
Depending on eligibility, applicants may apply under streams such as:
- - Government-endorsed events
- - Entertainment
- - Sport
- - Research activities
- - Religious work
- - Superyacht crew
- - Invited participant (where applicable)
- - Australian Government endorsed events
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Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 408
Subclass 408 is a special-purpose temporary visa for approved activities in Australia. Eligibility depends on the government-approved activity stream and supporting arrangements — not general skilled migration criteria.
- - Meet requirements for the specific Temporary Activity stream you apply under.
- - Hold a genuine temporary purpose aligned to that activity (not a pathway to circumvent permanent migration rules).
- - Provide invitation, nomination, sponsorship, or endorsement evidence where the stream requires it.
- - Meet identity, health, character, and biometrics requirements when requested.
- - Demonstrate adequate financial support or sponsor support for your stay.
- - Comply with Australian migration law and immigration history disclosure obligations.
Who Can Apply for Subclass 408
Applicants with a genuine temporary activity purpose, a currently open stream profile, compliant sponsor or invitation evidence, and complete health and character records may pursue Subclass 408 where stream criteria are met.
Queensland Temporary Activity Support
Applicants across Queensland and Australia can plan stream eligibility, sponsor coordination, and compliance with structured temporary activity visa support.
Application process
Application Process for Subclass 408
We manage this pathway in a structured way, from stream assessment to visa grant, with compliance checks at every stage.
2
Sponsor or invitation confirmation
3
Document preparation
4
Health and character preparation
5
Visa application lodgement
6
Department assessment
7
Respond to departmental requests
8
Visa grant and compliance briefing
Stream Selection
Sponsor Evidence
Activity Proof
Visa Lodgement
Department Assessment
Planning and compliance
Subclass 408 Planning and Compliance Guidance
Plan stream selection, sponsor evidence, and lodgement timing before submission to reduce avoidable delays and refusal risks.
Indicative Timeline
- Stream and sponsor confirmation
- Document preparation
- Health examination where required
- Visa application assessment and Department processing
Cost Planning
- - Visa application charges
- - English testing where required
- - Health examinations
- - Police clearances
- - Professional migration assistance
Compliance Module
- - Stream and sponsor eligibility review
- - Activity evidence verification
- - Document verification
- - Visa condition guidance
- - Department communication
Trust and delivery
Why Applicants Trust Our Subclass 408 Visa Services
Temporary activity visa specialists
408
Subclass 408 delivery focus
Critical evidence review stages
10+
Structured evidence checkpoints
Stream and sponsor checkpoints
8
Activity and sponsor review
Migration compliance aligned
AU
Gov source aligned strategy
Documents
Temporary Activity Visa Checklist
- Passport
- Activity stream evidence
- Sponsor or organiser invitation letter
- Employment or engagement contract
- Activity itinerary or schedule
- Organisational credentials
- Qualifications where required
- English language test results where required
- Police clearances
- Health examinations
- Identity documents
Risk review
Common Refusal Risks for Subclass 408 Applications
- Wrong stream selection or mismatch between claimed activity and sponsor evidence.
- Weak organiser/sponsor documentation or inconsistent role descriptions.
- Incomplete health, character, or identity records.
- Non-genuine temporary purpose indicators in statements or timelines.
- Late or incomplete responses to requests for further information.
- Applying under a closed or unavailable stream.
- Treating Subclass 408 as a general work or skilled migration substitute.
Our approach
Our Process: How We Manage Your 408 Visa Case
Step 1: Eligibility diagnosis
Stream-fit review with sponsor arrangements, activity evidence checkpoints, and current stream availability analysis.
Step 2: Evidence architecture
We structure sponsor, invitation, activity schedules, and identity documentation for consistent lodgement.
Step 3: Compliance review
Stream availability, genuine temporary purpose, and declaration consistency checks before lodgement.
Step 4: Lodgement and compliance briefing
Decision-ready lodgement support and post-grant condition guidance before visa expiry.
Ready to start your temporary activity visa case?
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Agents and Visa Consultants Now.
Contact UsFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)
Is Subclass 408 a permanent visa?
No. Subclass 408 is a temporary visa for eligible approved activities for a defined stay period.
Do I need a sponsor for Subclass 408?
Many streams require sponsorship, nomination, invitation, or endorsement evidence. Requirements depend on the stream you select.
Can I include family on Subclass 408?
Family inclusion depends on stream rules and eligibility. Identity, health, and relationship evidence applies where members are included.
How long does Subclass 408 processing take?
Processing varies by stream complexity, evidence quality, and departmental workload. We prepare complete files to reduce avoidable delay.
How do I choose the correct Subclass 408 stream?
Stream selection depends on your activity type, sponsor arrangements, and published eligibility settings. Professional review reduces mismatch risk.
Can Subclass 408 support education or training-linked activities?
Some streams relate to invited participation or approved activities that may intersect with education pathways. Final eligibility depends on stream criteria.
What documents are most important for Subclass 408?
Stream-specific sponsor or invitation evidence, activity schedules, contracts, identity documents, and health/character records are typically critical.
Can I work on Subclass 408?
Work rights depend on visa conditions attached to your grant and your approved activity stream.
Is Subclass 408 a mainstream skilled migration visa?
No. Subclass 408 is a special-purpose temporary visa for approved activities. It is not a mainstream skilled migration pathway such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491.
Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream still available?
No. The COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream has ceased and is closed to new applications. Eligibility assessments should focus on remaining open streams.
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Next step
Ready to Apply for Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)?
Get professional guidance from Australian registered migration agents for stream eligibility assessments, sponsor coordination, evidence preparation, and compliant lodgement for remaining open streams.
Questions? Call +61 414 996 546 or email info@realmigration.com.au.