400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) – Highly Specialised Work stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
Subclass	400
Purpose	Short-term highly specialised work
Stay	Up to 6 months
Cost	From AUD535
Apply/decision location	Outside Australia
Eligibility timing	Work completed within six months
Work rights	Granted specialised work only
Study	Not stated for primary applicant
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Single or multiple entry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family may be included
Family work/study	No work or study
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Extension	Not available
Processing	Use processing time guide

---

Purpose

The Highly Specialised Work stream allows temporary, short-term work in Australia where the applicant has specialised skills, knowledge or experience that:

• Can assist Australian business.
• Cannot reasonably be found in the Australian labour market.
• Is for non-ongoing work.

Non-ongoing work must likely be completed within six months or less. You must not expect or arrange to remain in Australia for work-related reasons after that period.

Stay and travel

The visa may be granted for up to six months, depending on the circumstances.

• A stay longer than three months generally requires a strong business case.
• Arrive within six months after grant, unless the grant letter specifies a shorter period.
• The stay period begins on first arrival in Australia.
• Leaving and re-entering does not restart or extend the stay period.
• The visa may allow either:
  • Single entry: one entry only; apply for a new visa to return.
  • Multiple entry: travel in and out during the granted stay period.

You cannot extend this visa or apply for another subclass 400 visa while in Australia.

Eligibility

You must:

• Have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience.
• Have work that is non-ongoing and supports Australian business.
• Show your skills cannot reasonably be found in Australia.
• Only intend to stay temporarily and do permitted activities.
• Have enough money to support yourself and accompanying family.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements; this applies to accompanying family members aged 16 or over.
• Repay Australian Government debts, or have a formal repayment arrangement.
• Be outside Australia when applying and when a decision is made.

The Department considers your circumstances, immigration history and previous visa compliance when assessing whether you are a genuine temporary entrant. A past visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.

The Australian business or overseas employer may need to show it tried to find Australian workers first. The visa cannot be granted if it affects employment or training opportunities for Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Work restrictions

You may work only in the temporary, short-term, highly specialised job or activities for which the visa was granted.

You cannot use this visa to:

• Perform as an entertainer in Australia.
• Support entertainers performing in Australia.
• Direct, produce or participate in a production shown, broadcast or performed in Australia.

You may use the visa for a production not shown in Australia, supported by a distribution contract or other evidence. Promotional activities without performances may also be permitted.

Family members

You may include members of your family unit when applying, including:

• Your partner.
• Your dependent child or stepchild.
• Your partner’s dependent child or stepchild.

All included family members must meet health and character requirements. You must show sufficient funds for the family’s stay.

Family members granted this visa cannot work or study in Australia, except for a language training program.

You can add eligible family members before a decision is made.

Cost

The main applicant charge is AUD535. There is an additional charge for each family member included in the application.

You may also need to pay for:

• Health examinations.
• Police certificates.
• Biometrics.

No visa application charge applies if you are:

• A representative of a foreign government; or
• Listed in a legislative instrument.

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste receive a lower visa cost. The primary applicant must hold a valid passport from:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Eligible accompanying family members receive the lower charge based on the primary applicant’s passport.

Required documents

Prepare clear colour scans or photographs of all documents. Documents not in English must be translated into English; include both original and translated versions.

Identity

Provide:

• Current passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates.
• National identity card, if available.
• Evidence of name changes, if applicable.

Skills and work

Provide evidence of your specialised skills, such as:

• Resume.
• Licences or qualifications.
• Letter from your overseas employer describing your current role and duties.

Provide a letter of invitation, job offer, employment contract or similar document from the Australian organisation confirming:

• Position, duties or project.
• Work duration.
• Why you are needed in Australia.
• Support for the visa application.
• Employment conditions and wages.
• Applicable Australian workplace standard or Industry Award.

For eligible freelance media work, provide your itinerary and assignment details.

Financial support

Provide evidence that you can support yourself and accompanying family, such as:

• Employment contract.
• Bank statements.
• Letter from a bank or financial institution.

Employer-provided allowances, accommodation and other support may be considered.

Family evidence

For a partner, provide identity and character documents, plus either:

• A current marriage certificate; or
• Evidence of a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before applying.

For each child under 18, provide identity documents and proof of relationship.

If a child under 18 travels without a person with legal authority over where they live, provide:

• Form 1229; or
• A statutory declaration consenting to the child’s visit,

plus photo identification of the person giving consent.

How to apply

Apply online through ImmiAccount.

1. Gather supporting documents.
2. Create or log in to ImmiAccount.
3. Complete and submit the online application.
4. Attach documents for yourself and each family member.
5. Pay all application charges.
6. Record the transaction reference number (TRN).

The Department will not process the application until the correct charge is paid.

You and all included family members must remain outside Australia until a decision is made.

After applying

Use ImmiAccount to check messages, attach further documents and manage your application.

The Department may request:

• Further information.
• Health examinations.
• Biometrics, including fingerprints and photograph.
• Police certificates.

Do not make travel arrangements until you receive written notice that the visa has been granted.

If information in your application is incorrect, submit Form 1023 through ImmiAccount as soon as possible.

Tell the Department about changes to your contact details, passport, relationship status, a child’s birth, or withdrawal of the application.

Conditions and obligations

You and accompanying family members must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

You must:

• Do only the approved work or activities.
• Remain in Australia only for the permitted stay period.
• Notify the Department of relevant changes.
• Check visa conditions and stay details through VEVO.

Workers, including visa holders with work permission, are protected by Australian workplace law.

Health insurance

The Department recommends adequate health insurance. You are personally responsible for healthcare costs in Australia.

Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.

Visa grant and records

The Department will notify you by email of its decision.

If granted, the email will state:

• Visa grant number.
• Visa start date.
• Visa conditions.

Keep a copy of the grant email while in Australia.

The visa is digitally linked to your passport; you will not receive a passport label. Use VEVO to prove visa status and conditions.