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Temporary Work(Short Stay Specialist) Visa
Designed for skilled professionals needing to perform highly specialised work or support urgent business activities in Australia for a limited period.
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Temporary Work Visa - Subclass 400
Short-term specialist work in Australia
Allows eligible workers to come to Australia to carry out highly specialised, non-ongoing work or work that supports Australia’s interests
Designed for urgent, project-based needs
Urgent, project-based needs are short-term, non-ongoing requirements for highly specialised work that can help an Australian business, where the required specialised skills, knowledge or experience cannot reasonably be found in Australia.
Stay length is limited
This is a temporary visa for short stays, and the Department can grant it for up to 6 months, or for a shorter period depending on the circumstances and the work required.
Work is restricted to the approved activity
You can only do the specific work/activity your application is based on. It’s not intended for ongoing roles or open-ended employment.
Business-ready documentation matters
Applicants typically need clear evidence of the specialist nature of the role, the purpose and duration of the work, and supporting details from the Australian organisation (useful for employers across Australia, including Melbourne and regional areas).
Temporary Work Visa - Subclass 400
Available to applicants from all nationalities.
No age limit; however, applicants should meet all other eligibility criteria.
If including multiple courses, all CoE codes must be included and the course sequence must be logical, with appropriate gaps.
You can apply for this visa only from outside Australia, as applicants must not be in Australia when submitting their application.
Applicants should have the appropriate qualifications for the specialised work they intend to undertake.
Urgent, project-based needs are short-term, non-ongoing work requirements that need highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience which can help an Australian business and can’t reasonably be found in Australia.
Adequate health insurance required for the applicant for the full duration of the visa.
The Department of Home Affairs may ask you to provide police certificates (PCCs) from every country you’ve lived in to meet Australia’s character requirements.
We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts
Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.
Knowbal Migration once again delivered excellent results — assisting with a 482 visa previously and now a successful JRP positive skill assessment. The expertise of Nilesh, Mani Raj, Rishav, and Trushen truly stands out. Finding such dedicated and knowledgeable professionals is rare. Wholeheartedly recommended.
Rishavbhai and the Knowbal Group provided exemplary support throughout the 186 PR visa process. Professional, knowledgeable, and patient, Rishav explained every step clearly, ensured accurate documentation, and made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for dependable and honest migration assistance.
Highly recommend Knowbal Migration for visa services. Nileshbhai and Niravbhai provided excellent guidance and support for my 482 visa. The team was responsive, patient, and helped me through every step successfully.
Kunalbhai and Niravbhai at Knowbal Migration provided exceptional support throughout the 482 visa process. They communicated clearly, handled everything professionally, and were consistently available to help with any concerns. Their guidance made what could have been a stressful experience genuinely smooth and manageable. Highly recommended.
The 482 visa was granted thanks to the outstanding support of Sushanti and Shweta at Knowbal Migration. They were professional, approachable, and consistently available to address queries. Their guidance made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for anyone needing migration assistance.
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subclass 400 is usually for highly specialised, non-ongoing work that is short-term and project-based. It is for short-term, highly specialised work in Australia where the applicant’s specialised skills, knowledge or experience are not generally available in Australia and can help an Australian business.
Your application should clearly show:
- why your skills are unique or highly specialised,
- why the Australian business needs you specifically, and
- Why can’t the task reasonably be done by an available local worker in the timeframe.
Strong supporting evidence includes a detailed task scope, timelines, project documents, and your credentials/experience.
No. This visa is not designed for ongoing employment. If the role looks ongoing, open-ended, or like a standard position in the business, it may be refused. Subclass 400 works best when the job has a clear start and end, and the work is tied to a specific project or urgent activity.
Common issues include:
- the role not being specialised enough,
- weak evidence explaining the urgent need,
- unclear project duration or scope,
- documents that look like standard employment (e.g., generic job descriptions),
- Inconsistencies between the employer letter, itinerary, and your work profile.
You cannot apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa while you are in Australia — you must be outside Australia when you apply, and also outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Eligible members of your family unit may be included to travel with you where the visa permits, but they must comply with their visa conditions (including no work, and any study or training only if permitted and generally limited to up to 3 months) and you should be able to show you have enough funds to support yourself and your family during the stay in Australia.
Extensions aren’t automatic. If the project changes or continues longer than expected, you may need to reassess the best visa pathway, which could include applying again (where appropriate) or switching to a more suitable work visa depending on the role and duration.
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