Overview
The Subclass 400 lets specialists come to Australia for highly specialised, short-term, non-ongoing work that an Australian worker cannot readily perform, or to take part in an activity at the invitation of an Australian organisation. No business sponsorship is needed. Since the Department's August 2024 policy change the standard stay is 3 months; up to 6 months is granted only in exceptional circumstances with a strong business case, and total 400 time is generally limited to 3 months in any 12-month period. Applications must be lodged from outside Australia and the visa cannot be extended onshore.
The 400 is the right visa for one-off specialised work — installing a specialised machine, leading a niche workshop, auditing a plant, providing rare technical expertise — not for ongoing employment. The visa turns on demonstrating genuinely specialised skills and a clearly non-ongoing engagement that fits within 3 months.
What counts as “highly specialised, non-ongoing” work?
The Highly Specialised Work stream requires skills, knowledge or experience that cannot reasonably be found in Australia and work that is non-ongoing — a defined task with a start and end. Routine roles, filling a vacancy, or work an Australian could do with training do not qualify, and the Department treats attempts to use the 400 as a cheaper alternative to the sponsored 482 as a reason for refusal.
How long can you stay — and how often?
In August 2024 the Department tightened its 400 policy. The standard stay is 3 months; up to 6 months is granted only in exceptional circumstances with a strong business case; and your total time on 400 visas is generally capped at 3 months in any 12-month period from first arrival, so multiple short visits in the same year are scrutinised. The visa is usually single or multiple entry within a 6-month window, and it cannot be extended onshore.
What evidence does the application need?
An invitation or engagement letter from the Australian host explaining the work, why it is specialised, why no Australian can readily do it, the dates and who is paying; your CV, qualifications and references proving the specialisation; and evidence that you are a genuine temporary entrant with funds and a return plan. No sponsorship or labour market testing is required, and the application charge is the current fee shown above.
When is the 400 the wrong visa?
If the work is ongoing, will exceed 3 months, or you will be employed in Australia in the normal sense, the employer should sponsor you for a 482 Skills in Demand visa. Entertainers, sportspeople, researchers and religious workers use the 408; people attending meetings or conferences without working use a Visitor visa (600) Business Visitor stream.
Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 400 visa?
- Have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can help an Australian business and cannot reasonably be found in Australia
- The work must be non-ongoing — a defined task with an end date, not a role that could be filled by a permanent hire
- An Australian worker cannot readily perform the role, or you are invited to take part in an activity by an Australian organisation
- Apply from outside Australia, be a genuine temporary entrant with adequate funds, and meet health and character requirements
How much does the Subclass 400 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$535. An additional A$535 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 400 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 400 visa take to process?
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 20 days, and 90% within 43 days.
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 400 visa?
- Confirm the work is specialised and non-ongoing. The 400 is for genuinely short-term specialised work of up to 3 months. Ongoing roles, or repeat visits adding up to more than 3 months in a year, need a different visa such as the 482.
- Prepare your evidence. Document your specialised skills, the task, why an Australian cannot do it, the timeline and who pays you. Stays beyond 3 months need a detailed business case.
- Lodge the visa from outside Australia. Apply online with the Australian host's invitation or engagement letter and your travel plans. You must be offshore when you apply and when it is granted.
How it compares
| Visa | Stay | Sponsor needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Short Stay Specialist | 3 months (6 in exceptional cases); max 3 months in any 12 | No — invitation or engagement letter | One-off installations, audits, specialist repairs, short consultancies |
| 408 Temporary Activity | Up to 2 years (4 for government-endorsed events) | Usually yes (temporary activities sponsor) | Entertainment, sport, research, religious work, exchange programs |
| 482 Skills in Demand | Up to 4–5 years | Yes — approved business sponsor | Ongoing skilled employment with an Australian employer |
Frequently asked questions
Does the 400 visa need an employer sponsor?
No business sponsorship or nomination is required. You do need a clear invitation or engagement letter from the Australian host organisation explaining the specialised work, why an Australian cannot readily do it, the dates and the non-ongoing nature of the task.
How long can I stay on a 400 visa?
Since the Department tightened its policy in August 2024, the standard stay is up to 3 months. Stays of up to 6 months are granted only in exceptional circumstances supported by a strong business case, and your total time on 400 visas is generally limited to 3 months in any 12-month period — so repeat short visits within the same year are closely scrutinised.
Can I extend or apply for another 400 from inside Australia?
No. The 400 must be applied for from outside Australia and cannot be extended onshore. If the work turns out to be longer or ongoing, the correct pathway is usually a sponsored visa such as the 482, which the employer must arrange.
Can my family come with me?
Yes, family members can be included in the application, but they cannot work in Australia on the 400.
Related visas
- Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482)
- Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408)
- Visitor visa (Subclass 600)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186)
- MATES scheme — Temporary Work visa (Subclass 403, MATES stream)
- Training visa (Subclass 407)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
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