Visa file / Employer sponsored visas
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa 400
Highly specialised, short, non-ongoing work, usually up to 6 months.
In force
Who it is for
People with highly specialised skills doing short-term, non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be done by the Australian labour market.
Published eligibility
- Specialised skills shown by CV, licences, qualifications and an employer letter.
- Non-ongoing work; genuine temporary stay; adequate means of support; health and character.
- Family members can be included but cannot work or study.
Where you apply from
Outside Australia only, and outside Australia at decision.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Check the right visa
Compare the 400, a business visitor visa and the 482.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks which visa genuinely fits the work.
- 02
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 03
Evidence and application
Invitation letter describing the work, dates and location.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the specialised skills evidence.
- 04
Grant and travel
Arrive within the time allowed and leave when the work ends.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains the conditions.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$535 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$535 |
| Family member under 18 | A$135 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay Specialist | 8 days | 43 days |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Work not highly specialised or could be done locally.
- Work looks ongoing.
- Not a genuine temporary stay.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Application
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.