In order to meet the basic eligibility requirements, you must:
- Have the skills to undertake the particular activity to be carried out in Australia
- Be supported or sponsored
- Meet the necessary additional requirements for the additional stream
There are ten streams under the subclass 408 visa:
Special Program
This visa lets you come to Australia to take part in an approved special program. There are four types of special programs:
- Cultural enrichment or community benefit programs
- Youth exchange programs
- School language assistance programs
- School-to-school interchange programs
Duration: up to 12 months
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 47 days
Requirements:
- You must have an invitation to participate in an approved special program
- You must be supported or sponsored depending on your circumstances
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Religious Work
This visa lets you do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 66 days
Requirements:
- You must have an agreement to work full-time for a religious institution in Australia
- You must be supported or sponsored depending on your circumstances
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Research Activities
This visa lets you observe or take part in a research project as part of a research or tertiary institution in Australia. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 60 days
Requirements:
- You must be supported or sponsored depending on your circumstances
- You must be invited to observe or take part in research at an Australian research or tertiary institution
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Invited for other social and cultural activities (Invited Participant)
This visa lets you come to Australia if you are invited to participate in a community based event, including sports events. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 3 months
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 20 days
Requirements:
- You must have been invited to take part in a community-based event in Australia
- You must have a sponsor or supporter
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Sporting Activities
This visa allows you to play, coach, instruct or adjudicate for an Australian sports team or do high-level sports training for a sporting organisation. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 58 days
Requirements:
- You must have a sponsor or supporter
- You must have a contract and a letter of support from a peak sporting body
- Not work outside your specified sporting activities
- You must apply either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Entertainment Activities
This visa lets you come to Australian to work in the entertainment industry on film, television or live productions as a performer, production or support staff. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: approximately 24 days
Requirements:
- You must have a contract or other proof of your engagement
- You must have access to enough money to support yourself and any dependents who travel with you during your stay
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Superyacht Crew
This visa lets you work in Australia as a crewmember of a superyacht.
Duration: up to 12 months
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: unavailable due to low volume of applications
Requirements:
- You must have a contract to work as a superyacht crewmember
- You must have a letter from the owner of the superyacht confirming the person’s employment as a member of the crew of the vessel
- You must have a supporter or a sponsor, depending on your circumstances
- You must apply either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Exchange Arrangements
This visa lets you come to Australia as part of a staff exchange with an Australian organisation. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: unavailable due to low volume of applications
Requirements:
- You must have the skills and experience to change jobs with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You must have a supporter or a sponsor
- You must apply online either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Australian Government Endorsed Events
This visa lets you come to Australia to participate in events that are endorsed by the Australian government. Two endorsed events are currently captured under this steam: Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) and the INAS 2019 Global Games. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia. You may also enter and leave Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Duration: for the duration of the event or up to 4 years if you are the organiser
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: not available for this visa
Requirements:
- You must have a letter of endorsement from the event organiser
- You must apply online
Domestic Work for Executives
This visa lets you come to Australia to do full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives. The visa allows both you and members of your family unit to travel to and stay in Australia.
Duration: up to 2 years
Cost: $310 AUD
Processing time: unavailable due to low volume of applications
Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be invited to work in the household
- You must be experienced in domestic work
- You must be supported or sponsored
You must apply either in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance.
Roam Migration Law advises on sponsorship and all visas under the Activity Visa streams. To better understand the visa streams, sponsorship obligations, and how these visas may suit your business contact us today.