The Subclass 400 visa is Australia’s little-known shortcut for professionals and specialists. While most attention goes to long-term visas like the 482 or 186, the Subclass 400 is designed for short, high-impact visits—ideal for workers with niche skills or urgent business needs.
What is the Subclass 400 Visa?
The Subclass 400 visa, officially known as the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, allows skilled workers to enter Australia for a short period (up to 3 months, with some extensions up to 6 months). It’s typically granted to people coming for:
- Highly specialised, short-term work that cannot easily be filled by an Australian.
- Urgent business or contractual obligations like equipment installation, consulting, or emergency repairs.
- Participation in activities related to Australia’s interests, such as government-sponsored events or projects.
Who Should Use It?
This visa is especially useful for companies who need to bring in technical experts or senior consultants quickly—without going through the longer and more complex sponsorship processes required for other work visas. For example, a German engineer might be flown in to troubleshoot a mining machine in Western Australia, or a Japanese robotics expert may help implement AI automation on a factory floor. These tasks are time-sensitive and need deep expertise—perfect use cases for the 400 visa.
Key Features
- No formal sponsorship required: Unlike the 482 visa, the 400 doesn’t need an employer to become an official sponsor.
- Faster processing: Some applications are processed in under 2 weeks, most take less than 1 month to finalise.
- No need to prove labour market testing (in most cases), which simplifies paperwork.
Interesting Fact
The 400 visa is not for long-term employment or ongoing roles. It’s strictly temporary. And while it skips sponsorship, it doesn’t skip scrutiny—you still need to show that your skills are truly specialised and that your presence is essential.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 400 visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Specialised skills: You must possess skills, qualifications, or experience in a highly specialised field. This could include technical expertise, creative skills, or professional services that are not readily available in the Australian workforce.
- Employer nomination: Although the 400 visa does not require formal sponsorship, applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer who demonstrates the need for your expertise. Employer must demonstrate they have a project that needs to be completed in 6 months or less and required a skilled worker from Overseas to complete the project in time.
- Genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement: Applicants must show that they intend to stay in Australia temporarily and will leave once their work is complete.
- Health and character requirements: All applicants must meet health and character standards. This usually includes a medical examination and police checks.
- Evidence of work requirements: Applicants need to show evidence of their specialised qualifications and experience through documents like resumes, references, and certifications.
Thinking of Using Subclass 400?
If your business needs quick, specialised help—or you’re a professional with a unique skill set heading to Australia soon—Subclass 400 could be your fast track. But the application still needs to be sharp and clearly justify your role.
Need help navigating the visa process? Get expert advice and make your application count. Claim a Free Consultation with NB Migration Law expert today!
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