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Last Updated 02 November 2026

Australia Subclass 400 Visa – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) for Indian Professionals

The Australia Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa lets highly specialised professionals do short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia. You can usually stay up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in limited cases. No sponsorship is needed, but a support letter from the Australian organisation is key evidence. The fee is AUD 535 for the main applicant.

Do short-term, highly specialised work in Australia
Stay up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in limited cases
No sponsorship or nomination needed, but a support letter from the Australian organisation is key evidence
Fast processing, with about half of applications decided within a week
Include eligible family members in your application (they cannot work or study in Australia)

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400)

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) is a temporary visa for highly specialised professionals who need to do short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia. Your skills, knowledge or experience must not be reasonably available in the Australian workforce. Depending on the grant, the visa allows a single entry or multiple entries.

You can include eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application. Family members included on this visa cannot work or study in Australia, except to attend a language training programme. The visa usually allows a stay of up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in limited circumstances with a strong business case. It cannot be extended in Australia.

You must be outside Australia when you apply and when Home Affairs decides your application.

Benefits of Visa Subclass 400

Lets you do short-term, highly specialised work in Australia without employer sponsorship or nomination
No English test, skills assessment or points test is required
Allows a stay of up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in limited circumstances
Usually processed within weeks, which suits urgent projects
Lets you include eligible family members in your application, though they cannot work or study.

What Your Australian Host Organisation Should Provide

The Subclass 400 visa does not need formal sponsorship or nomination. However, the Australian organisation you will work with plays a key role in your application. Its support letter is usually the strongest evidence that your skills are highly specialised and that the work is short-term. Applications without clear evidence of the work and the need for your skills are at higher risk of refusal.

The support letter, on company letterhead, should usually include:

The work you will do, where you will do it, and how long it will take
Why your skills, knowledge or experience are not reasonably available in Australia
Why the work is short-term and non-ongoing
Your remuneration and who will pay it
Company details, such as its ABN and a contact person

For stays longer than 3 months, the organisation should also give a detailed business case explaining why the extra time is needed.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) are given below:

Presence of Highly Specialized Skill-Sets: The skills offered by the candidate should not be available in the Australian workforce.
Specialised Work: The work must be short-term, highly specialised and non-ongoing..
Sufficient Funds: You must be able to support yourself and any family members included in your application while in Australia.
Medical requirement: The candidate should meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian authorities.
Genuine visitor: The candidates must have valid reasons to arrive and stay in Australia.
Visa History: You must disclose any previous visa refusals or cancellations, and meet the related requirements.
Outside Australia: You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

Australia Subclass 400 Visa Requirements

The requirements for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) are given in the table below:

A valid passport
A support letter or invitation from the Australian host organisation
A business case, if you are requesting a stay of more than 3 months
Evidence of your highly specialised skills, such as qualifications, licences or experience letters
Your CV or résumé
Evidence that you can support yourself and any family members in Australia
Relationship documents for any family members included in your application
Health examination results, if requested
Police certificates, if requested
A signed Australian Values Statement, if applicable
Evidence that you have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or have arranged to repay them.

How to Apply for Australia Temporary Work Visa ?

Step 1: Confirm with the Australian organisation that your skills are highly specialised and the work is short-term and non-ongoing.

Step 2: Ask the host organisation to prepare a support letter, and a business case if you need more than 3 months.

Step 3: Gather your documents, including your passport, skills evidence and proof of funds.

Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount and lodge your application online while you are outside Australia.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee and complete any health checks, police certificates or biometrics requested.

Step 6: Wait for the decision, which usually takes from about a week to 4 weeks. Stay outside Australia until it is decided.

Step 7: Once your visa is granted, travel to Australia and do only the work your visa was granted for.

Subclass 400 Visa Fee

The fee is paid online when you lodge your application and is generally non-refundable. Australian visa charges are reviewed every year, and new charges usually take effect on 1 July. You may also need to pay for health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. INR amounts are approximate and change with exchange rates. Check the official Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.

Applicant	Visa Fee (AUD)	Approx. Fee in INR
Main applicant	AUD 535	₹ 36,200
Additional applicant (18 years and above)	AUD 535	₹ 36,200
Additional applicant (below 18 years)	AUD 135	₹ 9,100

What Is Non-Ongoing Work?

The work you do on a Subclass 400 visa must be non-ongoing. This means it is a one-off, short-term task, usually completed within 3 months. It should not be work that you would normally do in Australia on a recurring or indefinite basis. Examples include installing or repairing specialised equipment, providing expert training on a new system, or completing a short technical project. If your role is likely to be ongoing or longer-term, the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa may be more suitable.

Subclass 400 vs Subclass 482 vs Subclass 407

Feature	Subclass 400	Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)	Subclass 407 (Training)
Purpose	Short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work	Longer-term skilled employment	Workplace training or professional development
Length of Stay	Up to 3 months (6 months in limited cases)	Up to 4 years	Up to 2 years
Sponsorship	Not required	Employer sponsorship and nomination required	Sponsor required in most cases
Family	Can be included; cannot work or study	Can be included; can work and study	Can be included
Best For	One-off projects, installations and expert tasks	Ongoing roles with an Australian employer	Structured training programmes

Can I Bring My Family on the Subclass 400 Visa?

Yes, you can include members of your family unit, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application. Each family member pays a visa charge and must meet health and character requirements. Family members included on this visa cannot work or study in Australia, except to attend a language training programme. If a family member wants to work or study, they must apply for a different visa.

How Y-Axis Can Help You ?

Y-Axis, the No.1 Overseas Immigration Consultant of the country offers assistance in the following ways:

Check your eligibility to Australia through Australia Immigration Points Calculator.
Expert guidance/counseling for Australia Immigration
Coaching services: Expert PTE coaching, IELTS proficiency Coaching
Free career counseling, book your slot today
Complete guidance for Australia PR visa
Resume marketing services to find related jobs in Australia

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Australia Subclass 400 visa?

The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa lets highly specialised professionals do short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia. Your skills, knowledge or experience must not be reasonably available in the Australian workforce. The visa usually allows a stay of up to 3 months, or up to 6 months in limited circumstances. It is a temporary visa and does not lead to permanent residence.

Who can apply for the Subclass 400 visa?

You can apply if you have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience needed for short-term work in Australia. The work must be non-ongoing, and you must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided. You must also show enough funds for your stay, meet health and character requirements, and intend to stay in Australia only temporarily.

Do I need employer sponsorship for the Subclass 400 visa?

No. The Subclass 400 visa does not need formal sponsorship or nomination. However, the Australian organisation you will work with plays a key role. Its support letter is usually the strongest evidence that your skills are highly specialised and that the work is short-term. Applications without clear evidence of the work and the need for your skills are at higher risk of refusal.

What should the Australian host organisation provide?

The host organisation should give a support letter on company letterhead. It should describe the work, its location and duration, and explain why your skills are not reasonably available in Australia. It should also confirm why the work is non-ongoing, your pay arrangements and the company’s details. If you need more than 3 months, a detailed business case is also needed.

What does non-ongoing work mean for the Subclass 400 visa?

Non-ongoing work is a one-off, short-term task, usually completed within 3 months. It should not be work you would normally do in Australia on a recurring or indefinite basis. Examples include installing specialised equipment, giving expert training on a new system or finishing a short technical project. Ongoing or longer-term roles usually need a Subclass 482 visa instead.

How long can I stay in Australia on a Subclass 400 visa?

The Subclass 400 visa usually allows a stay of up to 3 months. A stay of up to 6 months may be granted in limited circumstances, supported by a strong business case from the host organisation. The visa cannot be extended in Australia. If you need to stay longer, you would generally need to apply for a different visa from outside Australia.

What is the Subclass 400 visa fee?

The visa application charge is AUD 535 for the main applicant. Each additional applicant aged 18 or over also pays AUD 535, and each additional applicant under 18 pays AUD 135. You may also need to pay for health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. The fee is generally non-refundable. Check the official Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.

Does the Subclass 400 visa fee change every year?

Yes. Australia reviews visa application charges every year, and new charges usually take effect on 1 July. The charge that applies to you depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. If you plan to apply close to 1 July, check the Visa Pricing Estimator on the Home Affairs website before you lodge your application.

How long does the Subclass 400 visa take to process?

Recent Home Affairs data shows that about half of Subclass 400 applications are decided within a week, and 90% within about 3 to 4 weeks. Complete applications with a clear support letter usually move faster. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned start date. Processing times change monthly, so check the official Visa Processing Times guide.

Can I apply for the Subclass 400 visa from inside Australia?

No. You must be outside Australia when you lodge your Subclass 400 application and when Home Affairs makes its decision. If you are in Australia when the decision is due, the visa cannot be granted. Plan your travel so you remain outside Australia until you receive your visa grant notice. Then travel and do only the approved work.

Can I bring my family on the Subclass 400 visa?

Yes. You can include members of your family unit, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application. Each family member pays a visa charge and must meet health and character requirements. Family members included on this visa cannot work or study in Australia, except to attend a language training programme. They need a different visa to work or study.

What documents do I need for the Subclass 400 visa?

You will need a valid passport, a support letter from the Australian host organisation and evidence of your specialised skills, such as qualifications or experience letters. You should also include your CV, proof of funds and relationship documents for any family members. Health checks and police certificates may be requested. A business case is needed for stays over 3 months.

Do I need an English test or skills assessment for the Subclass 400 visa?

No. The Subclass 400 visa does not require an English language test, a formal skills assessment or a points test. Instead, you must show that your skills, knowledge or experience are highly specialised and not reasonably available in Australia. The support letter from the Australian host organisation and your skills evidence are the most important parts of your application.

Can the Subclass 400 visa be extended?

No. The Subclass 400 visa cannot be extended in Australia. If your work needs more time, you would generally need to leave Australia and apply for a new visa from outside the country. If the role is longer-term or ongoing, the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa may be a better option. Plan the length of your assignment carefully before applying.

Can I work for any employer on a Subclass 400 visa?

No. You can only do the specific work or activity your visa was granted for. Working for other employers or doing different tasks may breach your visa conditions. If your work changes, check whether your visa still covers it. Breaching visa conditions can lead to cancellation and may affect future Australian visa applications.

What is the difference between the Subclass 400 and Subclass 482 visas?

The Subclass 400 is for short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work, usually up to 3 months, with no sponsorship. The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa is for longer-term skilled employment of up to 4 years and needs employer sponsorship and nomination. On a 482 visa, family members can work and study, which is not allowed on a 400 visa.

When should I choose the Subclass 407 visa instead?

The Subclass 407 Training visa is for structured workplace training or professional development, not for doing specialised work. It allows a stay of up to 2 years and usually needs a sponsor. If your main purpose is to learn new skills, the 407 may suit you. If you are bringing specialised skills to complete a short task, the 400 is more suitable.

Is the Subclass 400 visa a pathway to permanent residence?

No. The Subclass 400 is a temporary visa and does not lead directly to permanent residence. It is meant for short-term specialist work only. If you want to live in Australia long-term, you would need to explore other visas, such as employer-sponsored or skilled migration visas, which have their own eligibility requirements.

Can a previous visa refusal stop me from getting a Subclass 400 visa?

Not automatically. You must disclose any previous visa refusals or cancellations in your application, and certain past refusals or cancellations may affect your eligibility. Home Affairs looks at your full immigration history and whether you are a genuine temporary visitor. Always answer these questions honestly, as giving false information can lead to refusal.

How do I check whether a migration agent is registered?

In Australia, only registered migration agents or legal practitioners can give immigration assistance for a fee. Registered agents must follow a Code of Conduct. You can check an agent’s registration on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) register at mara.gov.au, using their name or registration number. Always verify registration before paying any fees.