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What Activities Can You Do On A Subclass 400 Visa?

Many skilled professionals miss out on short-term opportunities in Australia because they don’t know what type of visa suits their situation. If you're an expert with a unique skill set, waiting for the right chance to contribute, the Subclass 400 visa could be exactly what you need. It's designed for people who want to work on projects where their expertise makes an immediate impact, but without the long wait or complex pathways of other visa types. But what activities can you do on a subclass 400 visa? The Subclass 400 visa lets you enter Australia for short-term, highly skilled and non-ongoing work that cannot be easily filled by local workers. It supports roles in specialist industries, emergency response, research, sports and the arts. You can also train local staff, attend strategic business meetings or install and maintain equipment. Each activity must serve a clear business or public interest purpose. This visa usually covers up to three months but can stretch to six in exceptional cases. What Activities Can You Do On A Subclass 400 Visa? A Short Answer The Subclass 400 visa is designed for highly skilled professionals coming to Australia for short-term, specialised work. It’s not meant for ongoing or casual jobs. Here’s what you can typically do under this visa: Specialist work – Short-term, highly skilled roles that require expertise not easily found in Australia. Project-based consulting – Advising or contributing to major business or government projects. Installations or technical support – Assisting with the setup of specialised equipment or technology. Academic or research participation – Taking part in collaborative research or academic activities. Sporting roles – Coaching, officiating or participating in specific sports events. Arts and cultural events – Performing, exhibiting or contributing to invited cultural showcases. The key is that your work must be: Short-term Skill-based Of benefit to an Australian business organisation or the public Get Trusted Advice from Lewis & Bollard in Sydney If you're in Sydney and unsure about what you can legally do on a Subclass 400 visa, our team at Lewis & Bollard is here to guide you with clarity and confidence. We take the guesswork out of visa conditions and help you understand exactly how your skills fit the purpose of this short-term visa. Whether you're planning to train a team, consult on a project or perform in a cultural event, our experts will ensure you stay compliant and maximise your visit. We support clients across Australia, including NSW, VIC and QLD, offering professional migration advice tailored to your needs. Call us today at +612 9283 0888 or visit our Contact Us page to get started. Who Can Apply for a Subclass 400 Visa? The Subclass 400 visa is designed for highly skilled professionals who want to take on short-term, non-ongoing work in Australia. This visa is ideal for people looking to support specific business needs or projects that demand expertise not easily found in the local workforce. Here’s a list of individuals and groups who are eligible to apply: Skilled professionals with niche expertise are needed for short-term roles Technicians and engineers involved in urgent repair, installation or maintenance Contractors coming for specific projects, such as infrastructure or industrial work Executives or specialists conducting high-level consultations or negotiations Artists or entertainers invited to perform or showcase their work Individuals involved in emergency relief or disaster recovery efforts Sportspersons or coaches engaged in short competitions or training Academics or researchers collaborating on brief university-led research projects Professionals sent by overseas companies to train Australian staff Activities You Can Do on a Subclass 400 Visa The Subclass 400 visa offers exciting opportunities to contribute to high-level business, industry and cultural initiatives. It allows for meaningful, short-term engagements that support the country’s workforce and knowledge base without long-term commitment. Below are the main activities you can do on a Subclass 400 visa: Specialist Short-Term Work You can carry out specialist short-term work that requires skills not available in Australia. This could be a technical project, software installation, engineering review or medical device commissioning. It’s perfect for professionals offering unique value. For example, a foreign systems engineer may assist with rolling out a large digital transformation project for an Australian company. These roles are project-based, time-sensitive and critical to operational success. Participate in High-Level Consultations The visa allows you to take part in high-level meetings, strategy sessions or consultation tasks. If your presence helps shape major decisions or direction for a business, this visa suits your situation. Say you’re a global strategy expert called in to advise a board during an expansion phase. This type of contribution, even over a short stay, brings measurable value to the company and aligns with the visa’s intent. Train or Transfer Knowledge You can be sent by your employer to train local staff or transfer specialist knowledge. These assignments often happen when multinational firms need to keep their Australian teams aligned with overseas practices. A senior technician may train Australian workers on advanced machinery shipped from overseas. This cross-border sharing of expertise supports development and builds workforce capacity. Install or Maintain Equipment You’re allowed to install, set up, test or maintain specialist machinery, hardware or software. These roles often come with urgent timelines where local talent may not have the needed experience or credentials. Picture an offshore medical device company that sends engineers to install cutting-edge radiology equipment in a Sydney hospital. This kind of work fits squarely within the visa’s purpose. Support Emergency or Crisis Response In events like natural disasters or large-scale system failures, overseas personnel may enter under this visa to support emergency services or critical infrastructure. Their presence often speeds up recovery efforts. A logistics expert might fly in to streamline emergency supply chains during a flood crisis. The visa allows such skilled entry where time is vital and local expertise is stretched thin. Perform or Exhibit Work in Arts or Culture The Subclass 400 visa covers short-term artistic or cultural performances, such as a stage play, film production or international exhibition. Artists or musicians often use this visa when invited to showcase their craft. For example, a classical pianist invited to perform in a cultural festival in Sydney would be an eligible candidate. Their participation supports cross-cultural exchange and enriches Australia’s arts scene. Coach or Compete in Sports Events Athletes, coaches or sports officials can visit on this visa to compete in sporting events or conduct training sessions. These are typically one-off or time-bound activities tied to a specific competition. If you’re part of an international sports team competing in a Sydney tournament, this visa offers a clear, lawful path to participate without needing a long-term contract. Short-Term Academic Research Researchers and scholars may enter to collaborate on brief academic projects, present findings or support university-led studies. These visits usually add immediate value to a specific piece of work or publication. For instance, a scientist may co-author a medical paper and be invited to a workshop in Sydney to complete the final phase. This kind of work is short, productive and benefits the academic community. What Activities to Avoid on a Subclass 400 Visa Although the visa supports several productive activities, it comes with clear restrictions to ensure compliance with Australian immigration law. Misuse can lead to cancellation or future application issues. Avoid these activities while on a Subclass 400 visa: Engaging in ongoing employment or regular jobs Working in roles that could be filled by local Australians Taking part in long-term research or university degree programs Running or managing a business in Australia Enrolling in a formal study that lasts more than three months Providing routine labour or trade services without specialist input Switching to another visa type without leaving Australia Extending stay without strong justification and evidence Staying within these boundaries keeps your visa status clear and supports the purpose behind the 400 visa framework. Tips for a Smooth Subclass 400 Visa Experience To make the most of your time in Australia under the Subclass 400 visa, it’s important to prepare well and follow all rules. A smooth experience starts with clear planning and proactive choices. Here are practical tips that help: Apply early to allow enough time for approval and travel. Provide detailed evidence of your specialist skills or role. Make sure your host organisation explains why your work is vital. Keep a clear record of all correspondence and visa documents. Understand the exact duration and limitations of your stay. Avoid overstaying by booking your return travel in advance. Respect Australian workplace and safety laws during your project. Seek advice from a registered migration agent for complex cases. Stick only to approved activities and avoid casual work offers. Maintain open contact with your sponsor or host for any updates. By staying organised and within your visa conditions, you can enjoy a professional, impactful and lawful visit to Australia. The Subclass 400 visa opens doors to great opportunities, as long as you use it correctly. Summing Up The Subclass 400 visa is more than a permission slip; it’s a smart, focused solution for skilled professionals and businesses alike. Whether you're flying in to train a team, perform in a world-class event or support a high-level consultation, this visa gives you the legal and practical means to contribute without delay. But it's essential to follow the rules. Stick to approved work, avoid long-term commitments and make sure your skills align with what’s truly needed in Australia. Done right, your stay can bring lasting value, not just to your host but to your career as well.

Many skilled professionals miss out on short-term opportunities in Australia because they don’t know what type of visa suits their situation. If you’re an expert with a unique skill set, waiting for the right chance to contribute, the Subclass 400 visa could be exactly what you need. It’s designed for people who want to work […]

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