Australia · Skilled Worker Visa

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa

Official name Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology
5.3/10 diff
Challenging

Short-term temporary visa for highly specialised non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be sourced in Australia. Maximu…

Min income
Processing
Path to PR
No
Job offer
Required
Direct answer

Short-term temporary visa for highly specialised non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be sourced in Australia. Maximum 3 months default; up to 6 months with strong business case. Also covers participation in events of national interest. Cannot be extended; cannot lead to PR. Visa cost applies except in limited circumstances (some Working Holiday-Maker conversions).

At a Glance

Visa Duration
6 months
Processing Time
Min Income
Path to PR
No
Difficulty
5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Age Range18+
Job Offer RequiredYes
Sponsorship RequiredNo
Health Insurance RequiredYes

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Family AllowedYes
Spouse Can WorkNo
Path to Permanent ResidencyNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Sydney
Single (monthly)€3,140
Family (monthly)€5,650
Rent 1BR (center)€2,072
Groceries€785
Transport pass€188
Melbourne
Single (monthly)€2,503
Family (monthly)€4,800
Rent 1BR (center)€1,475
Groceries€626
Transport pass€150
Brisbane
Single (monthly)€2,448
Family (monthly)€4,550
Rent 1BR (center)€1,565
Groceries€612
Transport pass€147

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)?

Short-term temporary visa for highly specialised non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be sourced in Australia. Maximum 3 months default; up to 6 months with strong business case. Also covers participation in events of national interest. Cannot be extended; cannot lead to PR. Visa cost applies except in limited circumstances (some Working Holiday-Maker conversions).

Can I bring my family on the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)?

Yes, this pathway allows family members including dependents.

Can the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Australia?

Yes. Australia offers 24 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Australia country page.

What is the cost of living in Australia?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Sydney: €3,140/mo; Melbourne: €2,503/mo; Brisbane: €2,448/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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