How long can I usually stay on a subclass 400 visa?

In general terms this is a short-stay visa, with the period granted typically measured in months rather than years. The exact length granted depends on the nature of the work and the decision-maker's assessment. Check the official page for the current maximum stay, and a registered practitioner can advise on what may apply to your circumstances.

Can I apply for this visa from inside Australia?

Typically this visa is designed to be applied for from outside Australia, though arrangements can vary. Because onshore versus offshore lodgement rules can affect eligibility and what happens to any existing visa, confirm the current position on the official Home Affairs page and seek advice from a registered practitioner before assuming either path.

Does this visa let me do any kind of work?

No. In general it is limited to the specific highly specialised, non-ongoing work or activity it was granted for, and it is not intended for ongoing employment. Work conditions and limits change, so review the current conditions on the official page. A registered practitioner can advise on whether a particular role fits.

Can my family come with me?

In general terms, eligible family members may be able to be included or apply separately, and additional charges typically apply for each person. The rules around who can be included and on what basis vary, so check the official page and consider advice from a registered practitioner for your situation.

Employer-sponsored

Subclass 400 — Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa

General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. For advice about your circumstances, book a verified practitioner.

Compiled from official Department of Home Affairs sources — practitioner verification pending.

For short-term, highly specialised work that an Australian worker cannot reasonably do — installations, commissioning, specialist repairs and similar. Not for ongoing roles.

Government charge

$430.00

This is the government Visa Application Charge (VAC), payable directly to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge. It is not a fee charged by this platform, and it is separate from any platform or practitioner fee. Always check the official source for the current amount.

Estimate for a family application

Additional adultsChildren (under 18)

Total VAC: $430.00

Arithmetic on the published government fee schedule — an estimate only, not platform fees and not advice. Always check the official estimator ↗

Toolkit — $49.00 incl. GST

Step-by-step application walkthrough for this visa
Stage-by-stage document checklist
Document vault and reminders as they roll out

This is a YourVisaSite software fee for organisational tools. It is not the government Visa Application Charge shown above, and it does not include immigration assistance or advice — for advice, book a verified practitioner.

Eligibility snapshot

The subclass 400 — Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa is, in general terms, a temporary visa for people coming to Australia to do highly specialised, non-ongoing work for a short period, or in limited cases to take part in an activity or event of benefit to Australia. Typically it suits work that draws on skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in the Australian labour market and that is not intended to be ongoing employment. Broadly, applicants are generally expected to have a genuine reason to be in Australia for short-term specialised work, to show they hold the relevant skills or expertise the work calls for, and to satisfy standard health and character requirements. The stay granted is usually short — commonly up to a few months — and the visa is normally meant for one-off or limited engagements rather than recurring or long-term work. This is a general overview only and is not immigration assistance or legal advice. Eligibility rules, work limits, and the maximum stay period change from time to time, so always confirm the current criteria on the official Home Affairs page for the subclass 400 visa. Because whether a particular role or situation fits this visa depends heavily on individual circumstances, a registered migration practitioner can advise on your specific case.

Costs and charges

There is a government Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the subclass 400 visa. As a guide, the base charge for the main applicant has been published at around $430 AUD, but this figure changes periodically and can differ depending on circumstances. Always confirm the current amount using the official Home Affairs visa pricing estimator before you rely on any number. Where the application includes additional applicants (for example accompanying family members), extra charges typically apply per person, so the total can be higher than the base figure. You may also encounter ancillary costs that are separate from the VAC — these can include things like health examinations, police or character checks, document certification, translations, and any professional fees if you choose to engage a registered practitioner. Important: the government VAC is a charge payable to the Australian Government and is entirely separate from any platform fees or practitioner consultation fees you might pay through this site. Government charges and our platform/practitioner fees are always distinct. For the current, authoritative cost of your specific application, use the official estimator on the Home Affairs website, and consider asking a registered practitioner to confirm what applies to your situation.

Common questions

Official information and lodgement

Applications are lodged through your own ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website — never through this platform.

Visit the official Home Affairs page ↗