Subclass 400 visa document checklist (Short Stay Specialist)

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) lets a person do short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia that needs highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can't reasonably be found in Australia. The applicant must be outside Australia when they apply. This checklist is a starting point as at November 2026; confirm each item on the Home Affairs subclass 400 page before lodging.

Key numbers (as at November 2026)

• Stay: up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances. For a stay longer than 3 months, a strong business case is generally needed with the application.
• Non-ongoing work: likely to be finished within 6 months, with no expectation or arrangement to stay longer for reasons related to the work.
• Arrival: within 6 months of the grant, or a shorter period set at grant. The stay starts on first arrival and does not restart on later trips.

What it does not cover

Performing as an entertainer, supporting entertainers, or taking part in a production that will be shown, broadcast or performed in Australia. Those activities belong under the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408). A subclass 400 can cover a production that will not be shown in Australia, with a distribution contract or other evidence, and promotional activities without performances.

Documents from the Australian organisation

• A letter of invitation, job offer, employment contract or other document confirming the work. It shows the position, duties or project, how long the work will take, why the applicant needs to work in Australia, support for the visa application, the employment conditions and wages, and the workplace standards or award that applies
• A strong business case, if the stay will be longer than 3 months
• Evidence of efforts to find Australian workers first, if Home Affairs asks for it

Documents from the applicant

• Identity: passport bio page and national identity card, if any; evidence of any change of name
• Skills: resume; licences or qualifications; a letter from the overseas employer explaining the current position and duties
• Freelance work: the itinerary and details of the assignment, for freelance work such as a media assignment
• Funds: an employment contract, bank statements or a letter from the bank showing the applicant can support themselves and any family. Allowances and accommodation from the employer can count.
• Health insurance: recommended for the stay
• Character: Police certificates, when Home Affairs asks for them
• Health: Health examinations, when Home Affairs asks for them
• Partner: identity and character documents, and a marriage certificate or evidence of a de facto relationship of at least 12 months
• Children: identity documents and a birth certificate; Form 1229 or a statutory declaration from anyone with parental responsibility who is not coming

Collect it with Immiluma

Short stay work matters move fast, so set the checklist up once as a visa template in Immiluma, or ask the assistant to draft it from this page. Each matter sends it to the client's portal, the client uploads against each item from their phone, and you review each document beside it. See all visa checklists.