Australia Sports Visas

Temporary Activity (Short-Stay Specialist – subclass 400) visa and Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa

The Temporary Activity (Short-Stay Specialist – subclass 400) visa and Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa are two of the most common visas for individuals planning to travel to Australia to participate in sporting activities.

Applying for a Temporary Activity visa usually costs from AUD 405, with processing times ranging from a matter of days to six weeks or more depending on the complexity of the application.

The specific type of sporting activity you intend to undertake once you arrive in Australia will affect which visa subclass and subtype is right for you.

Temporary Activity (subclass 400) Visa – Short-Stay Specialist

The Temporary Activity (Short-Stay Specialist – subclass 400) visa is intended for a broad range of short-term activities lasting between three and six months, and can often be appropriate for individuals taking part in organised sports for remuneration or with the possibility of earning prize money.

In addition to participating sportspersons, support staff, foreign media and event personnel can also be eligible for this visa. Applicants will need to prove:

• they have an offer of work (or similar, like an invitation to a tournament) lasting less than six months
• they have the skills, knowledge or experience to undertake this work
• they do not expect or intend to stay in Australia once the work is completed
• they have adequate finances to support themselves and any family members who will be joining them
• they meet the Australian government’s health and good character requirements

Applications for a subclass 400 visa must be submitted from outside Australia. It is not possible to extend this visa.

Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa – Australian Government-Endorsed Events

This 408 visa subtype is intended for individuals applying to come to Australia to take part in events which have been endorsed by the Australian government. Such events are usually major international tournaments, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

This visa is usually issued for the duration of the applicable event, up to a maximum duration of four years.

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

• have a written endorsement from the competition’s organising body or their local subsidiary
• have enough funds to support yourself in Australia
• meet the Australian government’s health and good character requirements
• have sufficient health insurance

You can apply for this visa from inside or outside of Australia.

Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa – Sporting Activities

This 408 visa subtype is intended for those who have been invited to work for an Australian sports team (as a coach, player, trainer or adjudicator) or to undertake high-level training with a sports organisation in Australia (e.g. Cricket Australia, Australian Football League).

Applicants can be granted this visa for up to two years.

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

• have a written endorsement from either:
  • a supporter i.e. a person or organisation involved in putting on the event; or
  • a sponsor i.e. an Australian organisation established by law, an Australian governmental agency, or a foreign government agency operating in Australia
• as a trainee, prove you compete or adjudicate to at least the equivalent of the Australian national level (or have the potential to do so) and intend to take part in full-time structured sports training
• as an elite player, instructor, coach or adjudicator, have an established reputation and have received both a formal agreement from an Australian club or organisation and an endorsement by an Australian national sporting body
• meet the Australian government’s health and good character requirements
• have sufficient health insurance

You can apply for this visa from inside or outside of Australia, though applicants from inside Australia or who intend to stay for more than 3 months must have a sponsor rather than a supporter.

Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa – Other Social and Cultural Activity (Invited Participant)

This 408 visa subtype is intended for individuals who have been invited to take part in a community-based event in Australia. This includes sporting events, though this visa is not appropriate for individuals who have been offered a contract to coach or play for an Australian sports team.

Applicants can stay in Australia on this visa for up to three months.

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

• have a written endorsement from either:
  • a supporter i.e. a person or organisation involved in putting on the event; or
  • a sponsor i.e. an Australian organisation established by law, an Australian governmental agency, or a foreign government agency operating in Australia
• have enough funds to support yourself in Australia
• meet the Australian government’s health and good character requirements
• have sufficient health insurance

You can apply for this visa from inside or outside of Australia, though applicants from inside Australia must have a sponsor rather than a supporter.

Amateur Visits and Sports Tours

If you are intending to travel to Australia to play sport on a strictly amateur basis, such as on a cricket or rugby tour, you may be able to do so on a regular visitor visa (subclass 600).

Depending on your circumstances, you may instead be able to apply for a free eVisitor visa (subclass 651) or an Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601).

To be eligible for these visitor visas, you will need to meet the Australian government’s minimum health and character requirements, and have enough money to both support yourself during your stay and pay for your departure from Australia at the end of your stay.

For more information on these or any other visas for Australia, don’t hesitate to contact us.