Temporary Work Visa Australia

Different visas for different types of work

"Temporary work visa" is a useful search term, but it is not one visa subclass. Australia has different visas for short specialist assignments, occupational training, temporary activities, employer-sponsored work and regional skilled migration.

The correct pathway depends on what you will do in Australia, how long the activity will last, who will support or sponsor the application and whether you are considering a regional or longer-term option. Some people may have more than one pathway to assess. Each visa still has its own eligibility rules.

Our migration agent can assess the purpose of the proposed work, explain the relevant visa options and assist with the applicable sponsorship, nomination and visa stages.

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What is a Temporary Work Visa in Australia?

The Department of Home Affairs lists several temporary and provisional visas that permit work in Australia. They are not interchangeable. A visa for a short, highly specialised assignment is different from a training visa, an activity visa or an employer-sponsored skilled visa.

This page compares six pathways people commonly encounter when searching for an Australian work visa. Subclass 491 is included as a related regional skilled option, but it is not an employer-sponsored visa.

At a Glance

Short specialist assignment

Subclass 400 may be relevant for short-term, non-ongoing and highly specialised work.

Structured occupational training

Subclass 407 is designed for eligible workplace training or professional development.

Specified temporary activity

Subclass 408 covers different activity streams, each with its own requirements.

Ongoing sponsored skilled role

Subclass 482 may be relevant where an approved business sponsors a worker for an eligible nominated position.

Points-tested regional pathway

Subclass 491 requires state or territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible family member. It is not employer-sponsored.

Regional employer sponsorship

Subclass 494 is for eligible skilled positions with an approved employer in designated regional Australia.

Stay periods, application locations, family-member rules and later visa options depend on the subclass and the applicant's circumstances. Confirm the current rules before lodging.

Temporary and Regional Work Pathways at a Glance

Visa	Generally used for	Support, nomination or sponsorship	Indicative stay	Permanent pathway
Subclass 400 Short Stay Specialist	Short-term, non-ongoing and highly specialised work	Supporting evidence from the Australian business or organisation is generally required	Usually up to 3 months; up to 6 months in limited circumstances	No direct permanent pathway
Subclass 407 Training	Structured occupational training or professional development	Approved temporary activities sponsor and approved nomination	Up to 2 years	No direct permanent pathway
Subclass 408 Temporary Activity	Specified temporary activities such as sport, research, religious work, entertainment or an approved special program	Support or sponsorship requirements depend on the activity stream and circumstances	Depends on the activity stream and grant	No direct permanent pathway
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand	Temporary skilled employment in a nominated position	Approved standard business sponsor and approved nomination	Generally 1 to 4 years; different settings can apply to specified passport holders	A later Subclass 186 pathway may be available if all requirements are met
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)	Points-tested skilled migration to regional Australia	State or territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member	Up to 5 years	A later Subclass 191 application may be available if all requirements are met
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)	Skilled employment with an eligible employer in regional Australia	Approved regional employer sponsor and approved nomination	Up to 5 years	A later Subclass 191 application may be available if all requirements are met

None of these visas guarantees permanent residence. Subclasses 400, 407 and 408 do not provide a direct permanent pathway. Some Subclass 482, 491 and 494 holders may later qualify to apply for another visa, but that later application has separate requirements and is assessed independently.

Current Changes to Know

Subclass 407 sequencing changed from 11 March 2026

For Subclass 407 applications made from 11 March 2026, the temporary activities sponsor and training nomination must both be approved before the visa application is lodged. An application lodged without those approvals may be invalid. Employers and applicants should allow for the sponsorship and nomination stages when planning the overall timeframe.

Subclass 482 operates under the Skills in Demand framework

The Skills in Demand visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage framework for new Subclass 482 applications on 7 December 2024. The current program includes the Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams.

Income thresholds changed on 1 July 2026

For nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold applying to relevant Subclass 494 nominations is AUD 79,423 for the same period.

An income threshold is not the only salary requirement. The proposed earnings and annual market salary rate requirements must also be assessed. Labour agreement settings and available concessions depend on the relevant agreement.

The Visa Options Explained

Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)

Subclass 400 is generally used for short-term, non-ongoing work requiring highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience. It is not designed for an ongoing position. Applications are generally made from outside Australia, and the expected work, duration and need for the applicant should be supported with appropriate evidence.

Subclass 407 – Training visa

Subclass 407 is for eligible occupational training or professional development. It is not a substitute for ordinary employment. The sponsor, nomination, training plan and applicant must meet the requirements for the relevant type of occupational training. Since 11 March 2026, the sponsor and nomination approvals must be in place before the visa application is lodged.

Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity visa

Subclass 408 covers a range of specified temporary activities. These can include sporting, research, religious, entertainment and special-program activities. The supporting organisation, sponsorship requirements, evidence and permitted stay depend on the particular activity stream. The stream should be identified before general 408 guidance is relied upon.

Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand visa

Subclass 482 is the main temporary employer-sponsored skilled visa. The employer, nominated position, occupation, salary and applicant must satisfy the relevant stream requirements. The visa does not grant permanent residence. Some holders may later become eligible for a Subclass 186 pathway after meeting the requirements in force at that time.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

Subclass 491 is a points-tested regional skilled visa, not an employer-sponsored visa. It requires nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member. Eligible holders may later apply separately for Subclass 191 after holding an eligible regional provisional visa for at least three years and meeting the applicable requirements. Permanent residence is not automatic.

Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

Subclass 494 is for eligible skilled workers nominated by an approved employer for a position in designated regional Australia. The employer, position, occupation, salary, skills assessment and applicant requirements must be checked for the relevant stream and any available exemption. Eligible holders may later apply separately for Subclass 191 after meeting the applicable requirements.

Visa Costs and Processing Times

Government charges depend on the visa subclass, stream and number of applicants. Sponsorship and nomination charges may apply, and employers using relevant Subclass 482 or 494 pathways may also have to pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Health examinations, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and professional fees are separate.

Visa charges and processing estimates change. Confirm the current amount through the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator and check the current processing-time guide before lodging. Published processing times are estimates, not guarantees.

How the Process Works

Step 1: Identify the correct pathway

Check the purpose, duration, occupation, proposed work and whether regional or longer-term options are relevant.

Step 2: Confirm the supporting party

Establish whether an employer, temporary activities sponsor, nominating government or eligible family sponsor is required.

Step 3: Check the application sequence

Sponsorship or nomination stages may need to be completed before the visa application.

Step 4: Prepare the evidence

This may include evidence of specialist skills, a training plan, activity documents, occupation and salary evidence, a skills assessment and English evidence.

Step 5: Confirm costs and location requirements

Check current charges and whether the application must be made in or outside Australia.

Step 6: Lodge and monitor the application

Submit the correct application and respond within the stated period if Home Affairs requests further information.

Common Problems to Avoid

Selecting a visa based on its name instead of the proposed work or activity

Using Subclass 400 for a role that is ongoing rather than short-term and non-ongoing

Lodging a Subclass 407 visa application before the sponsor and nomination have been approved

Treating Subclass 491 as an employer-sponsored visa

Relying on an income threshold without also checking the relevant market-salary requirements

Assuming every Subclass 408 activity has the same sponsor, evidence and stay requirements

Describing a possible later permanent visa as automatic or guaranteed

Quoting a fixed government charge or processing time without checking current Home Affairs information

How Kritin Global Can Assist

Our migration agent can assess the relevant visa options, explain the required sequence and assist with sponsorship, nomination and visa preparation where applicable. Support can also include document planning, application lodgement and responses to Home Affairs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the purpose and expected duration of the work, who is supporting or sponsoring you, your occupation and whether regional or longer-term options matter. Subclass 400, 407, 408, 482, 491 and 494 each have different requirements. More than one pathway may be worth assessing, but only a visa whose criteria you meet should be pursued.

No. Subclass 491 is a points-tested regional provisional visa requiring nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member. Subclass 494 is the employer-sponsored regional provisional visa.

Not automatically. Subclasses 400, 407 and 408 do not provide permanent residence by themselves. Some Subclass 482 holders may later qualify for an employer-sponsored permanent visa, while eligible 491 and 494 holders may later qualify to apply for Subclass 191. Every later application has separate requirements and is assessed independently.

Eligible family members may be included for some subclasses, but the rules and their work or study rights vary. Check the requirements and visa conditions for the particular subclass before including family members or making plans based on assumed work rights.

It depends on the subclass, your location, your current visa and any conditions attached to it. Subclass 400 is generally applied for from outside Australia. Some other applications may be made in Australia if all relevant requirements are met. Check this before lodging or arranging travel.

For applications made from 11 March 2026, the temporary activities sponsor and training nomination must both be approved before the Subclass 407 visa application is lodged. An application lodged without those approvals may be invalid.

Current arrangements generally allow affected Subclass 482 and 494 holders up to 180 consecutive days at a time, and no more than 365 days in total during the visa period, to find another sponsor, apply for another visa or arrange to leave Australia. The person should check their visa conditions and obtain advice promptly because individual circumstances can change the available options.

Costs depend on the subclass, stream, family composition and the sponsorship or nomination stages involved. Employer-sponsored pathways can also involve nomination charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator and current sponsor charges before lodging.

There is no single processing time for these visas. Estimates vary by subclass and stream and can change with application volumes, checks and the completeness of the application. Use the Department of Home Affairs processing-time guide for the relevant visa and treat published times as estimates, not guarantees.

Disclaimer

Fees and eligibility criteria are reviewed periodically. Always verify current figures and process requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. This page is general information - contact us for advice specific to your situation.

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