Why Choose the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)
- Shorter processing times, so better for meeting employer's needs quickly
- Must be a specialist position that employers cannot fill from within Australia
- No Skilling Australia Fund payment is required
- No English language requirements
- Not affected by Ministerial Direction 121 or 122, the processing priority order that currently slows down the 482 and 186 visas
What does the Temporary Work visa (subclass 400) allow you to do?
This visa lets you:
- Stay in Australia while your visa is valid (generally up to three months, but up to six months may be allowed in limited circumstances)
- Do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work for which you were granted the visa
- In limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests
- Bring members of your family with you to Australia (if they meet the requirements for including family members in your application)
Note: Your family members will not be allowed to work in Australia on this visa.
Who is this visa for?
You can apply for this visa if you want to enter Australia to:
- do short-term, highly specialized, non-ongoing work
- in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.
What are the initial criteria to be eligible for this visa?
To qualify for the Temporary Work visa (subclass 400) you must be invited, or supported, by the organisation you will be working for. The candidate must have specialist skills, knowledge or experience that is needed but cannot be found in Australia
Further requirements if eligible
- Must be able to financially support yourself and your family members who come with you to Australia
- You must meet certain health requirements
- You will be responsible for all health requirements as you will not be covered by Australia's national health scheme
- You must meet certain character requirements.
- You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted.
What is the application process?
- You must apply online using your ImmiAccount
- Upload all relevant documents with your online application
- pay the visa application charge when you apply
- Wait for the decision
Please note that your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete. Also, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa.
Can the 400 visa lead to a 482 or 186 visa?
Often, yes. The 400 visa is a short-term visa on its own, but many employers use it as the first step before sponsoring the same specialist for a 482 Skills in Demand visa, and later nominating them for a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa for permanent residency. This isn't automatic — each visa has its own separate criteria, so it's worth planning the full pathway with your migration lawyer before you apply for the 400 visa.
Processing Times
You can find the Processing Times at this link: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times.
The 482 visa is covered by Ministerial Direction 121, and the 186 visa by Ministerial Direction 122, which set the order the Department currently uses to decide which of those applications it processes first. Both Directions replaced Ministerial Direction 119 from 19 September 2026. The 400 visa is not covered by either — which is one reason 400 visa applications are generally processed faster. Processing times are updated monthly, so always check the link above for the current figures rather than relying on a fixed number.
Sources
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/400-?modal=pricing-estimator
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/400-
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-121.pdf
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-122.pdf
