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Subclass 400 Visa Lawyers Australia | Short Stay Specialist
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Emigrate Lawyers | Immigration & Family Lawyers Emigrate Lawyers | Immigration & Family Lawyers

Subclass 400 Visa Lawyers Australia | Short Stay Specialist

A person happily working on a laptop, symbolizing the opportunities provided by the Subclass 400 visa in Australia.
Your Gateway to Temporary Residency

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

The Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa is for short-term, highly specialised work or certain limited activities in Australia. It is not a general ongoing employment visa, and the work or activity must fit the specific Subclass 400 criteria.

Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer — 23 September 2026. Current requirements cross-checked against the Department of Home Affairs Subclass 400 guidance.

Key Features

Short-term Stay - The visa typically allows for stays of up to three months, but in certain circumstances, a stay of up to six months may be granted.
Specialised Work - Designed for highly specialized work that cannot be done by Australian workers.
Quick Processing - Streamlined processing times to facilitate urgent business needs.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Subclass 400 visa, applicants must:

Have specialised skills - You must have skills, knowledge, or experience that is highly specialised and not generally available in Australia.
Be invited or have a contract - You must have an invitation or a contract to do work or participate in an activity in Australia.
Genuine Temporary Stay - Demonstrate that your intention is to stay temporarily and that you will comply with the conditions of the visa.
Meet health and character requirements - You must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Application Process

Check Eligibility - Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Subclass 400 visa.
Gather Documents - Prepare your documents, including proof of specialised skills, invitation/contract, and other required personal documents.
Apply Online - Submit your application through the Department of Home Affairs website. You must be outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when DHA makes a decision on your application.
Await Decision - Wait for the decision on your visa application. Processing times can vary.

Document Checklist

  • Valid passport
  • Evidence of highly specialized skills (e.g., qualifications, references, work experience)
  • Invitation or contract from an Australian organization
  • Evidence of intention to return to your home country (e.g., ties to your home country)
  • Health and character documents

Conditions & Obligations

No Work Limitation – You can only work in the specific job or role you were granted the visa for.

Healthcare – You must not incur any public health debts during your stay.

Health Insurance – It is advisable to have health insurance for the duration of your stay. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.

Comply with Australian Laws – Abide by Australian laws and visa conditions during your stay.

Travel – This is a temporary visa. You will have 6 months from the date the visa is granted to first enter Australia (or a lesser period specified). The period of stay you were granted starts on the date you first enter Australia.

The visa is granted with either:

  • single entry – you will only be allowed to enter Australia once. You can’t re-enter Australia on the visa. To return to Australia after you leave, you will need to apply for a new visa, or
  • multiple entry – you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want during the visa stay period.

Re-entering Australia on a multiple entry visa does not restart the period of stay you were granted.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.

Benefits

Efficient Processing - Quick turnaround times for urgent business needs.
Specialised Roles - Access to specialised work opportunities in Australia.
Professional Development - Gain international work experience and build professional networks.

Why Choose Emigrate Lawyers?

At Emigrate Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law. Our expert team will guide you through every step of the Subclass 400 visa application process, helping ensure the application addresses the applicable criteria and supporting evidence. We offer:

Personalised Services - Tailored advice to meet your specific needs.
Fixed Fees - No hidden costs, providing you with financial certainty.
Client Satisfaction - Committed to achieving 100% client satisfaction.

Let us help you make your short-term specialist work dreams a reality in Australia. Contact us today!