The Ultimate Guide to Australia’s 400 Visa: Your Key to Short-Term Specialist Work

So, you’ve got unique skills, and an Australian organisation needs your expertise, like, yesterday? The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, often just called the 400 visa, might be your express ticket. But hold your horses! While it can be a fantastic option for short-term, highly specialised gigs, it’s not a walk in the park. This guide will break down everything you need to know – the good, the tricky, and the “you absolutely must know this” bits, especially with some recent game-changing updates. Let’s dive in, shall we? The allure of the 400 visa often lies in its perceived speed and less cumbersome process compared to other work visas. However, this perception needs to be balanced with the increasing scrutiny it now faces.

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What is the Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s establish what this visa is all about. Understanding its fundamental purpose is key to figuring out if it’s the right path for you or your business.

Decoding the 400 Visa: Its Core Purpose and Who It’s For

Think of the 400 visa as Australia’s way of saying, “We need your very specific, top-tier skills for a short, sharp project, and we can’t find them locally right now.” It’s designed for individuals to undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work at the invitation of an Australian organisation. This isn’t for ongoing jobs or if you’re looking to migrate permanently; it’s for those “fly-in, fly-out” expert missions. The “invitation” part is crucial – you can’t just decide you fancy doing some specialist work in Australia and apply for this visa off your own bat. An Australian entity needs to be backing your visit.

The core idea is to facilitate access to skills that are genuinely in short supply for a limited period, benefiting Australian businesses without impacting the local workforce negatively. It’s a temporary solution for a temporary, specific need.

Is This Visa Your Golden Ticket? Ideal Candidates and Scenarios

Who’s the ideal candidate for a 400 visa? Imagine a German engineer needed to commission unique mining equipment in Western Australia, a public lecturer delivering a series of masterclasses, or a specialist contractor called in for an urgent, time-sensitive repair of critical machinery. It’s for those whose skills are so niche they can’t be readily sourced from the Australian workforce for a temporary need.

Other examples could include:

A specialist giving master classes.
A ‘nanny’ employed by an overseas family accompanying underage children, though this is a very specific use case.
High-level business visitors involved in key negotiations or meetings, if their involvement is highly specialised and short-term.
Academic contributors involved in short-term collaborative projects at Australian institutions, provided their skills are highly specialised for that project.

If your work is ongoing, or if your skills are more general and could be found within Australia, you’ll likely need to explore other visa avenues. The 400 visa is truly for the specialists on a mission.

Cracking the Code: Are You Eligible for the 400 Visa?

Okay, so you think the 400 visa might be for you. But are you eligible? This is where things get detailed. Meeting these criteria is non-negotiable.

The “Highly Specialised Skills” Hurdle: What Does It Really Mean?

This is a big one, and perhaps the most crucial eligibility point for the 400 visa. “Highly specialised skills” aren’t just about being good at your job, or even excellent. It means possessing knowledge, experience, or expertise that is genuinely uncommon and not reasonably available in the Australian labour market. Think niche technical abilities, unique artistic talents (though there are specific rules for entertainers, which we’ll cover), or high-level consultancy on proprietary systems or processes. It’s about skills that Australian businesses can’t just find by putting up a local job ad.

You’ll need to back this up with solid proof. This isn’t a time for modesty! Your evidence should include:

A comprehensive CV or resume detailing your expertise.
Copies of your qualifications, certifications, and any relevant licenses.
References from previous employers or clients attesting to your specialised skills.
Possibly a letter from your current overseas employer detailing your role, responsibilities, and the specialised nature of your work.

The Department of Home Affairs will assess this, and it’s a subjective judgment. It’s not just about having the skills, but convincingly proving their rarity and necessity for the specific short-term project in Australia. The inviting Australian organisation also plays a key role here, as their justification for needing your specific overseas skills will be closely examined.

“Non-Ongoing Work”: Understanding the Temporary Nature of Your Australian Stint

The 400 visa is for gigs with a clear finish line. “Non-ongoing work” means the job or activity is likely to be completed within 6 months (and often, the expectation is 3 months or less), and you’re not planning to stick around in Australia for reasons connected to that specific work once it’s done.1 This means no sneaky extensions of the same project or rolling into another role with the same visa. The project itself should be finite, with a defined start and end.

If the work looks like it could become a permanent position, or if it’s part of a business’s regular, ongoing operations that could be filled by a local, the 400 visa is not the appropriate pathway. The Department is looking for genuine temporariness in both the role and your intention.

The All-Important Invitation: Securing Support from an Australian Organisation

As mentioned earlier, you can’t just decide to pop over to Australia for some specialist work on a 400 visa. You must be invited or supported by an Australian organisation. This organisation needs to provide a formal letter of invitation, a job offer, or an employment contract. This document is critical and must detail:

The nature of the work you’ll be undertaking.
The duration of the work.
A clear explanation of why your specific, highly specialised skills are required.
Confirmation of your employment conditions, including remuneration and compliance with Australian workplace standards.

The Australian organisation is essentially vouching for the genuineness of the short-term need for your expertise. While this isn’t “sponsorship” in the same formal, complex way as required for some other work visas (like the Subclass 482), the inviting organisation’s credibility and the strength of their business case are implicitly assessed. A weak or poorly justified invitation can seriously undermine your application.

Beyond Skills: Financial Capacity, Health, and Character Requirements

It’s not all about your amazing skills. Like most Australian visas, the 400 visa comes with some standard, but very important, personal requirements.

Financial Capacity: You (and any accompanying family members) must prove you have enough money to support yourselves during your stay in Australia. You can’t become reliant on public funds. Evidence can include bank statements or an employment contract that clearly states your remuneration.
Health Requirements: You’ll also need to meet Australia’s health requirements. This is to protect public health in Australia. Depending on your country of origin, the length of your intended stay, and your proposed activities, you might be asked to undergo a medical examination with an approved panel doctor. It’s generally advised not to undertake medicals until requested.
Character Requirements: Australia takes character seriously. You must meet certain character requirements, which usually involves police checks from countries you’ve lived in for a significant period. Any criminal convictions, especially serious ones, could make you ineligible.

Honesty is absolutely key throughout your application. Any false or misleading information, or fraudulent documents, can lead to visa refusal and potentially a ban from entering Australia for several years.

Proving You’re a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

Australia wants to be sure you’re coming for the stated temporary purpose and genuinely intend to leave when your work is done or your visa expires. This is known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. You’ll need to demonstrate your intention to stay temporarily and comply with all visa conditions.

Things that can help support your GTE claim include:

Evidence of significant ties to your home country, such as an ongoing job to return to, family commitments, property, or other assets.
A credible reason for your visit to Australia that aligns with the short-term, specialist nature of the 400 visa.
Your immigration history will also be considered. Previous visa compliance (or non-compliance) can play a role in the assessment.

Navigating the 400 Visa Streams: Which One Suits You?

The 400 visa has a couple of different streams, though one is far more common than the other. Let’s take a look.

The Highly Specialised Work Stream: For Niche Expertise

This is the main pathway for most 400 visa applicants. It’s specifically for those individuals bringing highly specialised skills, knowledge, or experience that aren’t reasonably available in Australia, to assist an Australian business with a short-term, non-ongoing task.7 A key consideration is that your work shouldn’t negatively impact employment or training opportunities for Australian citizens or permanent residents.7

Think of specialist technicians installing or repairing unique equipment, high-level consultants advising on a specific, time-bound project, or individuals delivering unique training programs that local providers can’t offer.1 This stream is the workhorse of the 400 visa program.

The Australia’s Interest Stream: When Your Work is of National Significance

This stream is a bit different and is used in “limited” or “compelling” circumstances where your entry and work directly affect Australia’s interests. What does that mean in practice? It’s not for everyday specialist work. It could involve:

Assisting in a disaster or emergency response, where your specialist skills are urgently needed.
Situations where your presence offers a significant benefit to Australia’s business, economy, or cultural development that would otherwise be missed. This might involve a special skill that is highly sought after for a critical, short-term need.
A specialist technician on stand-by to travel at short notice for urgent repairs on critical national infrastructure, like an oil rig or power facility.

This stream often requires a very strong, possibly high-level, justification. The circumstances need to be genuinely compelling and of clear benefit to Australia as a whole, rather than just a single business. It’s less about individual employment and more about a broader national benefit, implying a higher threshold of importance and urgency.

Your Step-by-Step Roadmap to Applying for the 400 Visa

Ready to take the plunge? Applying for any visa can feel daunting, but breaking it down into steps makes it much more manageable. Here’s your roadmap for the 400 visa.

Assembling Your Arsenal: The Essential Document Checklist for the 400 Visa

Getting your paperwork right is half the battle – scratch that, it’s probably more than half the battle! For the 400 visa, a complete and well-organized application is vital, especially with the increased scrutiny we’ve talked about. You’ll typically need to gather the following:

Identity Documents:

A certified copy of your current passport bio-data page (showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue/expiry dates). Do NOT send your original passport unless specifically asked.
A national identity card, if you have one.
Proof of any name changes (e.g., marriage certificate, official name change document).

Evidence of Highly Specialised Skills:

Your detailed CV or resume.
Copies of your academic qualifications, trade certificates, and professional licenses.
Reference letters from current or former employers detailing your specialised skills and experience.
A letter from your current overseas employer confirming your position and duties, if applicable.

Work Documents from the Australian Organisation (The Invitation): This is absolutely crucial.

A formal letter of invitation, job offer, or employment contract from the Australian organisation. (More on this powerhouse document in the next section!)

Financial Capacity:

Evidence that you can support yourself (and any dependents) during your stay, such as bank statements or an employment contract detailing your salary and conditions.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Evidence:

Documents showing your intention to return to your home country after your temporary stay (e.g., letter from employer confirming leave and return date, evidence of assets or family ties in your home country).

Health and Character Documents:

You may be asked to provide police certificates for countries you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
You may need to undergo health examinations if requested by the Department.

For Accompanying Family Members:

Their passport bio-data pages.
Birth certificates, marriage certificate (to prove relationships).
For dependent children over 18, you might need Form 47a (details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over) and other proof of dependency.
Parental consent forms (like Form 1229) if only one parent is accompanying a minor child.

Always check the latest document checklists on the Department of Home Affairs website or your ImmiAccount, as requirements can sometimes be updated.

The Invitation Letter: A Critical Piece from Your Australian Inviter

This isn’t just any letter; it’s a cornerstone of your 400 visa application. The invitation letter (or contract) from the Australian organisation needs to be comprehensive, compelling, and hit all the right notes. It should clearly state:

Inviting Organisation’s Details: Full name, address, contact information, and an overview of their business and activities, particularly those relevant to your proposed work.
Your Details: Your full name as per your passport, your passport number, and your nationality.
Purpose of Your Visit: A clear and detailed statement of the intended purpose of your visit – the specific, highly specialised work or activity you will be undertaking.
The “Why You?” Justification: This is critical. The letter must explain why your specific skills and expertise are essential for this short-term project and why these skills cannot reasonably be found in the Australian labour market. This is where the organisation makes its case.
Details of the Work or Project:

A description of the project or business activity.
The timeline, including planned start and end dates for your involvement.
The location(s) where the work will be performed.
Expected outcomes of your work.
How your specific skills, qualifications, and experience directly relate to the tasks you’ll be performing.

Duration of Stay: Confirmation of the planned duration of your stay, aligning with the project timeline (usually 3 months, or up to 6 months with a very strong justification).
Support and Employment Conditions:

Confirmation of your employment (even if short-term).
Details of your remuneration, wages, and any other benefits or allowances.8
Confirmation that your employment conditions will comply with Australian workplace laws and relevant industry awards.
Details of any support the Australian organisation will provide (e.g., accommodation, transport, if applicable).

The inviting organisation might also need to provide supporting documents, such as their company registration certificate, business license, project plans, or contracts related to the work you’ll be doing, to substantiate the claims made in the invitation letter.11 The letter essentially serves as the primary evidence for several key visa criteria: the “invitation” itself, the “highly specialised” nature of the work, its “non-ongoing” status, and the crucial justification of why local talent isn’t available. A weak or vague letter can seriously undermine an otherwise strong application.

Lodging Your Application: The Online Journey via ImmiAccount

Gone are the days of paper stacks and snail mail for this visa! Your 400 visa application, along with all your supporting documents, must be lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create an ImmiAccount.

Crucially, you must be outside Australia when you lodge your application, and you must also be outside Australia when the Department makes a decision on your application. This is a strict rule, so don’t make any travel plans to Australia until your visa is granted in writing. Make sure all your documents are scanned clearly and are ready for upload in the required format before you start the online application.

Counting the Cost: 400 Visa Fees and Other Potential Expenses

Let’s talk money, because visas aren’t free! The base application charge for the main applicant for a 400 visa is currently AUD 415. (Note: some older or third-party sources might mention AUD 315, but official government sites confirm AUD 415).

There are some limited circumstances where this fee might be waived, for example, if you are coming to Australia to act as a representative of a foreign government, or if you are listed in a specific legislative instrument (your inviting organisation should tell you if this applies).

If you’re including eligible family members in your application, there will be an additional visa application charge for each family member. You can use the Visa Pricing Estimator tool on the Department’s website to get an idea of the total government fees.

But wait, there’s more! The visa application charge isn’t the only potential expense. You might also need to budget for:

Health Checks: If required, you’ll pay for these yourself with an approved panel physician.
Police Certificates: Obtaining these from various countries can have associated costs.
Biometrics: If you’re required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), there might be a service fee at the collection centre.
Health Insurance: This is a big one. It’s highly recommended, and in some cases (like applicants aged 75 or over), it might be mandatory to have health insurance for your entire stay. You are generally personally liable for all your healthcare costs while in Australia, and these can be very high. Insurance can help limit your financial liability. Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries, which might cover some emergency medical treatment, but it’s not a substitute for comprehensive travel or health insurance.

How Long Will It Take? Understanding 400 Visa Processing Times

“How long will I have to wait?” – the million-dollar question every visa applicant asks! Historically, processing times for the 400 visa have been one of its attractive features, often being relatively quick. Many sources cite processing times ranging from a few days to a few weeks, with some indicating that 90% of applications are processed within 20 days, or an average of about one month.

However, it’s super important to remember that these are guides, not guarantees. Actual processing times can vary significantly based on a range of factors, including:

Whether you’ve lodged a complete application with all necessary supporting documents. Incomplete applications are a major cause of delays.
How quickly you respond if the Department requests additional information.
The complexity of your case.
The Department’s current workload and processing priorities.
Time taken for necessary checks (health, character, national security).

It’s generally wise to apply at least four weeks before your intended travel date. However, you also shouldn’t apply too far in advance. As a general rule, don’t lodge your application more than six months before your intended travel, because you must make your first entry into Australia within six months of the visa grant date (or a shorter period if specified on your grant letter).

You can check the current global visa processing time guide tool on the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest estimates. Be aware that the recent policy changes leading to increased scrutiny could potentially lead to longer processing times, especially for applications requesting longer stays or those that are not straightforward. So, plan accordingly!

Life in Australia on a 400 Visa: Conditions, Obligations, and What to Expect

So, your 400 visa is granted – congratulations! But it doesn’t end there. Holding a visa comes with conditions and obligations you must adhere to.

Your Stay in Australia: Visa Duration, Entry Rules, and Can You Extend?

The 400 visa is strictly a temporary guest pass. Typically, it allows a stay of up to three months. In limited circumstances, if a very strong business case is provided with the application demonstrating an exceptional need, a stay of up to six months may be granted.

However, be warned: getting that six-month stay has become significantly tougher, especially following the August 2024 policy changes. Such requests will face heavy scrutiny, and the Department is now clearly indicating that shorter stays are the norm, with six months being truly exceptional.

You must make your first entry into Australia within six months of the visa grant date, or a lesser period if specified in your visa grant letter. Your allowed period of stay (e.g., 3 months) starts from the date of your first entry into Australia. If you are granted a multiple-entry visa and you leave and re-enter Australia during your visa’s validity, your stay period does not restart or get paused. Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa.

And the big question: can you extend the 400 visa? The answer is a firm no. This visa cannot be extended while you are in Australia. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a completely different visa (and meet its eligibility criteria), and in most cases, you would need to do so from outside Australia, as the 400 visa often comes with a “no further stay” condition or implies you must be offshore for the next visa.

Bringing Loved Ones: Including Family Members on Your 400 Visa

Yes, you can often include eligible family members in your 400 visa application. This typically means your spouse or de facto partner, and your dependent children (or your partner’s dependent children). They will also need to meet health and character requirements, just like you.

However, and this is a very important point: your family members who come with you on a 400 visa generally CANNOT work in Australia. This is a significant restriction. Their ability to study is also very limited; they usually cannot enroll in a formal qualification leading to a degree or diploma. Short-term language programs might be permissible, but that’s generally it.

You, as the main applicant, must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support all accompanying family members during your entire stay in Australia. The “no work” rights for family members make this visa less practical if your family relies on dual incomes or if your partner would also be seeking employment. It really underscores the visa’s design for a very short, focused work assignment by the primary specialist.

Working in Australia: Rights, Restrictions, and Industry-Specific Rules (e.g., Entertainment)

Your 400 visa comes with a very clear and strict primary condition: you can only do the specific work or activities that were detailed in your visa application and for which your visa was granted. You also can only work for the Australian organisation(s) that invited you and were named in your application. No switching jobs, taking on extra unrelated projects, or doing a bit of freelancing on the side – that would be a breach of your visa conditions!

The good news is that while you’re working in Australia, you are protected by Australian workplace laws. This means you have rights regarding pay, working conditions, and safety, just like any Australian worker.8

Now, for the entertainment industry: this is a notoriously tricky area for the 400 visa. Generally, you cannot use this visa if your main purpose is to:

Perform as an entertainer (e.g., actor, musician, dancer, comedian) in Australia, whether paid or unpaid.
Direct, produce, or take any other part in a film, television, or radio production that will be shown or broadcast in Australia.
Direct, produce, or take part in a theatre production, concert, or recording that is to be performed in Australia.

For these kinds of activities, the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) in the Entertainment Activities stream is usually the correct pathway.

However, there are a few very specific, limited scenarios where the 400 visa might be appropriate for someone connected to the entertainment world:

If you are directing, producing, or taking part in a production (e.g., film, TV show) that will not be shown, broadcast, or performed in Australia. You’d need to provide evidence of this, like a distribution contract for overseas markets only.
For certain promotional activities, such as attending a red-carpet premiere for a film (that might later be shown in Australia, but your activity is the premiere attendance), or a singer visiting for a promotional tour where they are not performing concerts but are doing interviews or appearances.
Journalists or other media personnel covering an event in Australia where the coverage is not intended for an Australian audience (e.g., reporting for an overseas news outlet) might also use the 400 visa.

It’s a fine line, and if you’re in the entertainment sector, getting expert advice on the right visa is absolutely crucial to avoid problems.

Heads Up! Critical August 2024 Policy Changes to the 400 Visa

Alright, this is super important, so listen up! In August 2024, the Australian government rolled out some significant policy changes for the 400 visa. Why the shake-up, you ask? The main goals are to ensure this visa isn’t being misused as an “easier” or “quicker” alternative to more rigorous visas (like the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa), to better protect job opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents, and to prevent any potential exploitation of migrant workers. These changes have real teeth, so let’s break down what they mean for anyone considering or using the 400 visa.

Why the Tighter Rules? Increased Scrutiny and Shorter Stays Explained

Expect your 400 visa application to be looked at with a much finer-toothed comb than perhaps it was in the past. The Department of Home Affairs is significantly increasing its scrutiny of applications to ensure that the work is genuinely short-term, truly highly specialised, and that employers aren’t just using the 400 visa as a way to bypass the more comprehensive requirements (like Labour Market Testing) of the Subclass 482 visa.

This directly impacts the allowed duration of stay. While a six-month stay is still technically possible under the regulations, it’s now officially being treated as ‘exceptional’. If an Australian business wants to bring you in for more than three months, they will need to present an incredibly strong and compelling business case justifying why such a duration is absolutely necessary due to exceptional circumstances. Even then, approval for a six-month stay is less likely than it used to be. The clear message is that shorter stays – specifically three months or less – are now the strong preference and expectation of the Department. This shift aims to reinforce the visa’s original intent for very short, focused assignments.

The New Stance on Multiple Applications and Return Visits: What You MUST Know

This is a big shift and one that will particularly affect businesses or specialists who might have previously used the 400 visa for intermittent work over a year. The previous flexibility that might have allowed for multiple 400 visa applications over a 12-month period? That’s effectively gone. You will generally only be permitted to stay for the duration that was initially granted on your visa. The idea of “topping up” your stay with another quick 400 visa is no longer a viable strategy.

Furthermore, your rights to return and revisit Australia on the same 400 visa are now much more limited. The new policy indicates that visa holders are generally permitted to stay in Australian territory for a maximum of three months within any 12-month period, and this period starts as soon as you first arrive in Australia on that visa. What this means is, if you are granted a three-month visa, you use it, and then you leave, you generally cannot expect to get another 400 visa or re-enter on the same one (if it was multiple entry but your purpose was completed) to do more short stints of work until that 12-month period has seen you spend no more than three months in Australia. Some interpretations suggest that even if you leave Australia during your initial three-month visa period (e.g., after only one month), you may not be permitted to re-enter to use the “remaining” time on that visa if the purpose was deemed complete or if it’s seen as trying to circumvent the new stricter approach.

These restrictions fundamentally change how the 400 visa can be used. It can no longer be seen as a flexible, repeatable option for short bursts of specialist work throughout a year. Businesses that need ongoing, albeit intermittent, specialist input will almost certainly have to explore other, more suitable visa pathways, like the Subclass 482 visa, which is designed for longer-term engagement.

400 Visa vs. The Alternatives: Is It the Best Fit for You?

With these changes, it’s more important than ever to understand if the 400 visa is truly the best fit, or if another visa might be more appropriate.

A Quick Look: 400 Visa Compared to the Subclass 482 (TSS) Visa

The 400 visa is often compared to the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, as both allow skilled individuals to work in Australia temporarily. However, they are designed for very different situations. Think of it as a short sprint (400 visa) versus a longer race (482 visa). The recent policy changes for the 400 visa are specifically aimed at making this distinction even clearer and pushing longer-term or less “highly specialised” work towards the 482 pathway.

Here’s a quick comparison of the key differences:

Feature	Subclass 400 Visa	Subclass 482 (TSS) Visa
Primary Purpose	Short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work	To address temporary skill shortages for ongoing positions
Duration of Stay	Typically up to 3 months; up to 6 months in exceptional cases (now harder to get)	1 to 4 years, depending on the occupation stream (Short-Term or Medium-Term)
Sponsorship	Invitation/support from an Australian organisation; no formal employer sponsorship	Formal employer sponsorship and nomination required
Labour Market Testing	Generally not required, but inviting org must justify need over local skills	Often required to demonstrate efforts to hire Australians first
Processing Time	Generally faster (e.g., days to weeks)	Longer (e.g., weeks to months)
Work Type	Highly specialised, non-ongoing projects	Ongoing skilled roles listed on relevant skilled occupation lists
Family Member Work Rights	Generally NO work rights for accompanying family members	Often YES, spouse/partner may have work rights
Cost (Main Applicant)	AUD 415 (plus other potential costs)	Significantly higher (e.g., AUD 1,455 to AUD 3,035 for visa, plus employer costs for sponsorship/nomination)
Pathway to PR?	No direct pathway	Possible for some streams (Medium-Term stream) after a certain period

The choice between the 400 visa and the 482 visa really hinges on the nature and duration of the work, the urgency, whether formal sponsorship is feasible, and the needs of any accompanying family members. If it’s a truly short, sharp, specialist engagement, the 400 might still be an option, but if there’s any hint of it being ongoing or longer-term, the 482 is likely the more appropriate (and compliant) route.

Making the Most of Your 400 Visa: Pro Tips for a Smooth Experience

Want to boost your chances of a smooth 400 visa journey and make sure everything goes as planned? Here are a few pro tips:

Be Incredibly Thorough with Your Application: This cannot be stressed enough, especially now. Ensure your application is 100% complete, and all documents are accurate, high-quality, and clearly demonstrate how you meet every criterion. Don’t skimp on evidence for your specialised skills or the business case from the inviting organisation. A well-prepared, decision-ready application is your best friend.
Plan Ahead, But Be Mindful of Timing: While processing can be quick, don’t leave your application to the absolute last minute. Factor in potential delays or requests for more information. However, also remember you can’t apply too far in advance (generally not more than 6 months before travel).
Honesty is Always the Best Policy: Be completely truthful in all your declarations and documents. Any attempt to mislead the Department or provide false information can have severe consequences, including visa refusal and a ban on future applications.
Understand and Adhere to Your Obligations: Once your visa is granted, read your visa grant letter carefully and understand all the conditions. Strictly adhere to them – especially the condition about only doing the specified work for the specified employer. Breaching visa conditions can lead to visa cancellation.
Get Comprehensive Health Insurance: Seriously consider this. Unless you’re covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (and even then, it’s limited), you’ll be responsible for your healthcare costs in Australia, which can be exorbitant.
Keep the Department Informed of Changes: If your circumstances change after you’ve lodged your application or after your visa is granted (e.g., new passport, change of address, birth of a child), you need to notify the Department of Home Affairs.
For Inviting Australian Organisations: Your role is pivotal. Provide a robust, detailed, and compelling invitation letter. Clearly articulate the critical need for the overseas specialist, why their skills are not reasonably available in the Australian labour market, and why the work is genuinely short-term and non-ongoing. Be prepared for increased scrutiny from the Department, especially if you are requesting a stay longer than three months for the specialist.8 Your justification needs to be watertight.

Wrapping It Up: Is the 400 Visa Your Gateway to a Specialist Role in Australia?

So, there you have it – a deep dive into the Subclass 400 visa. It can certainly be an excellent and efficient pathway for highly specialised professionals to undertake short-term, critical work in Australia. For Australian businesses, it offers a way to access unique global talent for urgent, non-ongoing projects relatively quickly.

However, it’s absolutely crucial to understand its specific, limited scope. The 400 visa is not a solution for ongoing roles, general skilled work, or a backdoor to longer stays in Australia. And with the significant August 2024 policy changes, the requirements are stricter, the scrutiny from the Department is higher, and securing stays beyond three months or making repeat visits has become much more challenging.

Is the 400 visa right for you or your organisation? If your situation perfectly aligns with its niche purpose – short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work that genuinely cannot be done by anyone in Australia – and you can provide a compelling, thoroughly documented case, then yes, it could still be your ideal solution. But weigh your options carefully, understand the new landscape, and if in doubt, seek professional advice. Good luck!

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements and policies are subject to change; applicants should refer to the Department of Home Affairs website or a registered migration agent for up-to-date information relevant to their specific circumstances.

Your Questions Answered: 5 Unique FAQs on the Subclass 400 Visa

Here are answers to a few more specific questions you might have:

My project in Australia might just go over 6 months due to unforeseen delays. Can I get a slight extension on the 400 visa, or what’s my best immediate option?

Unfortunately, the Subclass 400 visa explicitly cannot be extended. If your work is going to exceed the maximum six-month period (which is already hard to get), you would need to apply for a new, different type of visa. This would almost certainly require you to apply from outside Australia, as the 400 visa often has a “no further stay” condition. Your best bet is to discuss options with a registered migration agent well before your current visa expires. Trying to stretch the 400 visa beyond its intended “non-ongoing” nature is risky.

The ‘Australia’s Interest’ stream sounds broad. What kind of evidence would make a compelling case for, say, ‘significant economic benefit’ if it’s not a disaster relief situation?

This is indeed a high bar. For “significant economic benefit” outside of emergencies, you’d need to show that your specific, short-term involvement will lead to a substantial, tangible, and timely positive impact on the Australian economy or a key industry. This might involve, for example, facilitating a major international trade deal, commissioning critical infrastructure that underpins significant economic activity, or transferring unique technology that creates immediate high-value jobs or export opportunities. The evidence would need to be robust, likely involving support from significant industry bodies or government agencies, detailed economic modelling, and clear proof that the opportunity would be lost to Australia without your specific, temporary presence. It’s not just about general business improvement; it has to be compelling at a national interest level.

If my 400 visa application is refused, how soon can I reapply, and what should I focus on changing in my new application?

There’s no specific mandatory waiting period before you can reapply for a 400 visa after a refusal, unless the refusal came with a ban (e.g., due to fraud). However, reapplying immediately without addressing the reasons for refusal is unlikely to be successful. You need to carefully review the refusal notification from the Department, which will outline why your application was not successful. Focus on addressing those specific points comprehensively in any new application. This might involve providing stronger evidence of your specialised skills, a more compelling business case from the inviting organisation, clearer proof of your GTE, or addressing any character/health concerns. Your immigration history, including previous refusals, will be considered.

My Australian inviting company is a small startup. Does their size affect their ability to ‘support’ my 400 visa application, or is it more about the role itself?

The size of the inviting Australian company isn’t the primary factor, though it can play a role in how they demonstrate their capacity and the genuineness of the need. What’s more critical is the nature of the role, the highly specialised skills required, the non-ongoing nature of the work, and the company’s ability to articulate a strong business case for needing your specific expertise from overseas for that short period.10 A startup could very well have a genuine need for highly specialised skills (e.g., to set up unique technology). They would need to provide clear evidence of their business, the project, why your skills are essential and not available locally, and that they can meet any employment obligations. The scrutiny will be on the justification, regardless of company size.

I’ve been granted a multiple-entry 400 visa for 3 months. If I leave Australia for 2 weeks (e.g., for a family emergency) and then come back, does my 3-month clock restart or pause?

No, your 3-month stay period does not restart or pause if you leave and re-enter Australia on a multiple-entry 400 visa. The stay period granted (e.g., 3 months) starts from the date of your first entry into Australia after the visa was granted. Any time you spend outside Australia during the visa’s validity period does not extend the visa’s overall expiry date or “pause” the consumption of your allowed stay period. So, if you enter, stay for a month, leave for two weeks, and return, you would still need to depart Australia before the original 3-month period (calculated from your first entry) is up. The recent policy changes further emphasize that revisits are limited, and the focus is on a continuous period of stay for the approved purpose.

The Ultimate Guide to 400 Visa