Published Jul 13 | 2025
Specialist Skills Visa – Subclass 400
The Subclass 400 visa is designed for professionals with specialised skills, experience, or knowledge that aren’t easily found in Australia. It allows you to enter the country for a short time to complete specific, non-ongoing work or activities. This visa helps Australian businesses access critical expertise when they need it most.
What Is Subclass 400?
The Subclass 400 visa allows qualified visitors to stay in Australia briefly, typically for up to three months, to:
- Carry out brief, complex, non-recurring professional tasks.
- Undertake activities that benefit Australia’s interests (e.g., during emergencies or disasters).
Note: In strong business-case scenarios, a stay of up to six months may be approved, though three months is the norm.
The Application Process
Applying for the Subclass 400 visa is done entirely online — and while it doesn’t require formal sponsorship, it does require a strong letter of invitation from the Australian organisation hosting you.
Here’s how we guide you through it:
Visa Details
- Maximum stay: 3 months (up to 6 months in limited business-critical cases)
- Entry: Single or multiple, as stated on the grant
- First entry: Generally within six months of grant
Position Requirements
- Work must require highly specialised skills
- Skills must be short-term and genuinely unavailable in the Australian labour market
- Roles should relate to a specific project or activity
Employee Requirements
| Â Requirement | Â Details |
|---|---|
| Location at Application | Must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is decided |
| Documents Required | Résumé, licences/qualifications, employer letter, and Australian invitation letter |
| Genuine Temporary Entrant | Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) intent |
| Financial Capacity | Enough funds to support yourself (and family) |
| Health & Character | Meet health and character standards |
Family Members
You may include a spouse/partner and dependent children. They generally cannot work or study (aside from short language courses) and must meet financial, health, and character criteria.
Processing Times
The processing duration for visas depends on the visa stream and applicant profile together with government workload requirements. The official government source provides the most accurate and current information about visa processing times.
 Niche skills in short supply, e.g., expert consultants, equipment-installation specialists, technical project leaders, rather than general labour or ongoing roles.
No. You must apply for another suitable visa (often from outside Australia).
Usually not, performing artists typically need the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa.
Need specialised talent right away? We’ll guide you through Subclass 400 requirements and streamline the application process so you can access the expertise your project demands.
Have unique skills an Australian organisation needs for a short-term assignment? Let us help you prepare a strong Subclass 400 application and navigate every requirement. Reach out today to explore your options.
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