Subclass 400 Visa
(Temporary Work)

Subclass 400 Visa Australia

The Australian visa subclass 400, or the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, is a temporary visa for interested migrant workers whose highly specialised skills are wanted in Australia.

This visa enables eligible applicants to perform short-term specialised work and even bring family members in the application and have them enrol in a language training program while in the country.

You can stay in Australia for up to six (6) months to render the work an Australian employer sponsored you for. You must arrive in Australia within six (6) months (or earlier, which will be specified in the letter that will be sent to you) since your visa was granted.

Highly Specialised Skills, Experience, or Knowledge

The top qualification for the 400 visa subclass is proving you have a highly specialised knowledge or skill that would benefit an Australian business. For this specific visa, a highly specialised skill is something that:

• Can be of great help to an Australian business
• Cannot be found or is not available in the local labour market
• Can be completed within a few months or is non-ongoing

Having said these, your future employer must also prove that they first tried to look for a potential candidate in Australia. If a local worker with a highly specialised skill is available here, there’s no need to seek a worker to sponsor overseas.

Subclass 400 Visa Requirements

To determine if you qualify for the subclass 400 Australian visa, create a checklist of the following key eligibility requirements:

• You must have a highly specialised skill that will benefit Australia
• You must have enough money to support yourself and other dependants you will bring with you throughout your stay in Australia
• You must be a genuine temporary entrant who only intends to stay for the purposes of your short-term work
• You must be perfectly healthy and do not have a criminal record of any kind
• You must not have had any history of denied visa application(s)
• You must be offshore (outside Australia) when you apply and when the visa is granted
• You must apply and pay the fees online using your ImmiAccount

Subclass 400 Visa Document Checklist

After learning about the key requirements and you’re confident that you are eligible for an Australia subclass 400 visa, prepare and gather the following documents for your application.

Identification Documents

especially your current passport showing your photograph, key personal details with passport issuance and expiry dates, a national ID card if any, and name change proof, if applicable.

Proof of Highly Specialised Skills

such as your updated resume, acquired licences attesting to your qualifications, as well as a letter from your overseas employer detailing your actual position, duties, and responsibilities.

Evidence of Sufficient Finances

such as bank statements, payslips, tax returns, your employment contract, and/or a letter from a financial institution detailing your current financial status.

Character and Health Documents

namely police certificates or character certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police, together with a medical certificate showing you’ve been examined and have no serious health issues.

Partner and Other Dependent Documents

if applicable, including their IDs, relationship proof with a de facto partner or spouse such as a marriage certificate or supporting documents proving you’re in a continuing relationship for at least 12 months.

400 Subclass Visa Processing Time and Fees

Unlike long-term visas with pathways to permanent residency, Australia visa subclass 400 processing time takes a lot shorter to process, usually within 36 days. In fact, processing times could take as fast as 13 days, provided you have been fully compliant with the requirements and have no missing documents.

For the main applicant, this visa costs A$405. You will need to pay more for dependents included in your application. You must be able to pay all the required fees when you apply, otherwise it will not be processed. It’s also advisable to prepare more money for other fees such as police and health checks.