Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)

Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

Bring specialist expertise to Australia — quickly, compliantly and correctly.

The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa lets Australian businesses bring overseas professionals to Australia for short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be sourced from the local labour market. It is ideal for professionals with unique skills, technical expertise or specialist knowledge — and for the businesses that urgently need them.

At Tolic Lawyers, we prepare decision-ready Subclass 400 visa applications for both overseas specialists and the Australian businesses that invite them — a process that has become more closely scrutinised since the Department tightened the visa in 2024.

Key features of the Subclass 400 visa

• Short-term stay — generally granted for up to 3 months, with up to 6 months only in limited or exceptional circumstances where a longer stay is justified.
• No skills assessment and no age limit.
• Specialised skills — suitable for work requiring genuine technical or niche expertise not readily available in Australia.
• Non-ongoing work — the engagement must be a discrete assignment, likely to be completed within six months or less.
• You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

Who is the Subclass 400 visa for?

This visa is commonly used for consultants, engineers, technicians, project specialists and business professionals on short-term contracts or assignments — for example, installing or commissioning imported equipment, carrying out urgent or emergency repairs, providing after-sales service, delivering specialised training, or supplying niche technical consulting. The defining feature is that the work is highly specialised and time-limited, with a clear scope, start date and end date.

Eligibility for a Subclass 400 visa

To be eligible for a Subclass 400 Temporary Work visa, applicants must:

• Have a genuine, short-term purpose for travelling to Australia.
• Possess skills, knowledge or experience not commonly found in the Australian workforce.
• Provide evidence of sufficient financial means for their stay.
• Meet the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, and hold adequate health insurance.
• Have an invitation or letter of support from the inviting Australian business, setting out the work and why overseas expertise is required.

What counts as “highly specialised, non-ongoing” work?

These two concepts decide most Subclass 400 applications. Highly specialised work needs skills, knowledge or experience that cannot reasonably be sourced in the Australian labour market — often tied to proprietary systems or an international company’s own equipment. Non-ongoing work is a discrete assignment likely to be completed within a continuous period of six months or less, where you have neither been promised nor arranged ongoing work in Australia afterwards. The work must not displace Australian workers, and the visa cannot be used for entertainment performances or formal study.

Important limits to know

• Offshore only — you must be outside Australia at the time of application and grant.
• The 6-month rule — a Subclass 400 cannot be granted where you would be in Australia on a 400 visa for more than 6 months in any 12-month period.
• Not a permanent pathway — the 400 is strictly temporary and does not lead to permanent residency. Longer-term roles are better suited to the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa.
• Family members can be included, but generally cannot work in Australia on this visa.
• Greater scrutiny since 2024 — the Department now examines 400 applications closely to ensure the visa is not used as a substitute for the 482, so a clearly evidenced application matters more than ever.

Subclass 400 visa at a glance

How Tolic Lawyers can assist

Our team of migration lawyers manages your Subclass 400 application from start to finish:

1. Eligibility assessment — a personalised consultation to evaluate your situation and the scope of the proposed work, and confirm the 400 is the right visa.
2. Strategic advice — tailored guidance on documentation, travel dates and stream selection, with particular care given the increased scrutiny on these applications.
3. Document preparation — compiling a compelling application, including the statement of purpose and supporting business documentation that proves the work is highly specialised and non-ongoing.
4. Application lodgement — lodging accurately and completely through ImmiAccount, aligned to your travel dates.
5. Priority support — we track your application and respond promptly to any request for further information.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Subclass 400 visa?

It is a temporary work visa that allows overseas professionals to undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia for an inviting Australian business, where the required expertise cannot reasonably be sourced locally.

How long can I stay on a Subclass 400 visa?

Generally up to 3 months. A stay of up to 6 months may be granted in limited or exceptional circumstances where the longer period is justified, at the discretion of the assessing officer.

Do I need a skills assessment or to meet an age limit?

No. The Subclass 400 visa does not require a skills assessment and has no age limit. You do, however, need to demonstrate genuinely specialised skills and a genuine short-term purpose.

Do I need to be outside Australia to apply?

Yes. You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is decided.

Can the Subclass 400 lead to permanent residency?

No. The 400 is strictly temporary. If you need an ongoing role or a pathway to permanent residency, the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa is the more appropriate pathway.

Can I bring my family?

Eligible family members can be included in your application, but they generally cannot work in Australia on this visa, and must meet health, character and financial support requirements.

Tolic Lawyers — Immigration & Employment Law

Suite 19/103 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

P: (02) 8077 2562   ·   E:    ·   toliclawyers.com.au

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is current as at June 2026. It is not legal or migration advice. Subclass 400 eligibility, duration, conditions and policy settings change and applications are assessed on their individual merits. Please obtain advice tailored to your situation from a qualified legal practitioner before acting. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.