400 Short Stay Specialist visa: requirements and cost

Key facts

How long the visa lasts: Up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances
Base charge, main applicant: AUD 535
Where to apply: Outside Australia, at application and at decision
Sponsor: None; a letter or contract from the Australian organisation is needed
Work rights: Only the short-term, highly specialised work the visa was granted for
Extending the visa: Not possible; it can't be applied for or extended in Australia

Streams

400 Highly Specialised Work

Home Affairs' 400 page describes one stream, Highly Specialised Work, for short-term, highly specialised work in Australia by people with skills, knowledge or experience not generally available in Australia.

400 visa requirements

Home Affairs lists these on the Eligibility tab of its 400 page:

Highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can assist Australian business, can't reasonably be found in the Australian labour market, and will be non-ongoing. Non-ongoing means work likely to be completed within 6 months or less, with no plan to stay on for reasons related to that work.
Proof of work. Evidence of the work offered. The employer might need to show it tried to find Australian workers first, because the visa can't be granted if it affects jobs or training for Australians.
Not entertainment in Australia. The 400 can be used for promotional activity or for productions not shown in Australia. It can't be used to perform, or to work on a production shown, broadcast or performed in Australia.
Financial support. Adequate means for the applicant and family members.
Health. The applicant and family members must meet the health requirement.
Character. The applicant and family members 16 and over must meet the character requirement.
Genuine visitor. Intend only to stay temporarily and do what the visa allows.
Debts. Any debt to the Australian Government paid back or under a formal arrangement.
Immigration history. A past visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.

Health insurance is not a listed criterion, but Home Affairs says holders are personally liable for their healthcare costs in Australia and recommends insurance.

What the visa lets you do

According to Home Affairs' 400 page, the visa lets holders:

do short-term work in a highly specialised job (the work must be non-ongoing)
bring family members granted the visa with them.

Holders must arrive within 6 months of grant, or a shorter period set by Home Affairs. The stay starts on first arrival and does not restart on later trips. The visa is granted as either single entry or multiple entry. It can't be extended.

Family members and cost

The main applicant can include members of the family unit: a partner, dependent children and stepchildren, and the partner's dependent children and stepchildren. They can be added at any time before a decision. Home Affairs says family members included can't work or study in Australia, except to do a language training program.

Home Affairs' Visa Pricing table lists these charges for the 400:

Applicant	Charge
Main applicant	AUD 535
Additional applicant 18 and over	AUD 535
Additional applicant under 18	AUD 135

The charge might be nil for people acting as representatives of a foreign government, or people in a class specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra.

Step by step

This follows the Step by step tab of Home Affairs' 400 page.

Before you apply

Organise health examinations if wanted (or wait until Home Affairs asks).
Get a letter of invitation, job offer or contract from the Australian organisation showing the role, duration, reason for the work, pay and conditions, and the workplace standards or award that applies.

Apply

Gather identity, work, financial and family documents.
Apply online in ImmiAccount from outside Australia and pay the charge.

After you apply

Do not travel to Australia until the visa is granted.
Home Affairs may ask for health examinations, biometrics, police certificates or more information.
Home Affairs tells the applicant its decision by email. It does not refund the charge if the visa is refused.

Applying in or outside Australia

Home Affairs says applicants, and anyone included in the application, must be outside Australia when they apply and when it decides the application. Someone who travels to Australia on another visa can't get a bridging visa for the 400 application (400 page).

400 visa processing time

Home Affairs publishes current processing times in its visa processing times guide.

Compare: 400, 407 and 408

	400 Short Stay Specialist	407 Training	408 Temporary Activity
Purpose	Short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work	Occupational training or professional development	Set activities by stream
Longest stay	Up to 6 months	Up to 2 years	Depends on stream; up to 4 years for endorsed events
Sponsor	No sponsor; proof of the work offered	Approved sponsor and nomination	Supporter or sponsor, depending on stream
Apply from	Outside Australia only	In or outside Australia	In or outside Australia (most streams)
Main applicant charge	AUD 535	AUD 535	AUD 535 (most streams)

Common questions

What is the 400 visa in Australia?

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) lets people do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia. Home Affairs describes it as suitable for specialised skills, knowledge or experience not generally available in Australia.

How long can I stay on a 400 visa?

Up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances. Home Affairs says a stay longer than 3 months generally needs a strong business case, and the stay period starts on first arrival and does not restart with each trip.

How much does the 400 visa cost?

Home Affairs' Visa Pricing table lists AUD 535 for the main applicant, AUD 535 for each additional applicant 18 and over and AUD 135 for each under 18. The charge may be nil for foreign government representatives or people listed in a legislative instrument.

Can I apply for the 400 visa in Australia?

No. Home Affairs says applicants and anyone included in the application must be outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is decided. The visa also can't be extended.

Does the 400 visa need a sponsor?

No sponsor is listed. Applicants provide a letter of invitation, job offer, contract or similar document from the Australian organisation, showing the role, duration, reason for the work and the pay and conditions.

Can performers use the 400 visa?

No. Home Affairs says the 400 does not allow performing in Australia, or working on a production shown in Australia. It points those activities to the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Entertainment Activities stream.

Can family come on the 400 visa?

Yes. Members of the family unit can be included in the application. Home Affairs says family members on the 400 can't work or study in Australia, except to do a language training program.

Subclass 400 visa: Short Stay Specialist