The subclass 408 Entertainment Activities stream is the visa performers, production staff and support staff use to work in Australia on film, television or live productions. Maximum stay 2 years, multiple entry, family can be included, apply in or outside Australia, Home Affairs charge from AUD 535. Every application needs an Australian supporter or sponsor behind it.
Who it covers
Home Affairs describes the stream as being for people coming to Australia "to work in the entertainment industry on film, television or live productions as a performer, production or support staff". In practice that is the touring artist and their band, the techs and tour management around them, actors and presenters on a shoot, the camera, lighting and sound crew behind them, and the coaches, stylists and dressers who travel with an act.
It is not the visa for an entertainer attending a promotional event without performing, a visual artist exhibiting work, an author at a writers festival or an unpaid reality contestant. Those sit in the Invited Participant stream of the same visa. Media covering an event for a non-Australian audience are pointed at the subclass 400.
The seven categories
You apply under one of these, and the category decides what the Australian side has to do first:
- Performing in a film or television production subsidised by government
- Performing in a film or television production not subsidised by government
- Performing other than in film or television (live theatre, stage comedy, classical music, online entertainment video)
- Working in a production role other than as a performer (director, camera, lighting, sound)
- Working as support staff for an entertainer or group (backing music or vocals, coaching, hair, dressing, make-up)
- Working as a performer or support staff for a non-profit engagement
- Working on a documentary or commercial for an overseas market that will not be shown in Australia
The first five require the sponsor or supporter to consult the relevant Australian union before engaging the applicant. The two film and television performer categories also need an Arts certificate from the federal arts department. Getting the category right on day one is most of the job.
Stay, entry and family
- Length of stay is set by the activity approved, up to a maximum of 2 years. The visa cannot be extended.
- It is granted with multiple entry; time outside Australia does not extend it.
- Members of the family unit can be included and must meet health and character requirements. They can also join later as subsequent entrants.
- You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when it is decided, but not in immigration clearance. If applying in Australia you need to hold a substantive visa, or have held one that ceased within the last 28 days.
What it costs
The Home Affairs charge is from AUD 535 for the main applicant, plus a charge per family member, plus any health examinations, police certificates and biometrics. A charge concession exists where the sponsor or supporter is a registered charity, a government agency, or an organisation named in a legislative instrument for an event with significant government funding. Government charges usually change on 1 July. 408visa quotes its own coordination fee per project.
What has to be in place
- An Australian supporter or sponsor. Supporter if applying from outside Australia for under 3 months; approved Temporary Activities Sponsor otherwise. See sponsor or supporter.
- A contract or other proof of the engagement, and for overseas-market documentaries and commercials, evidence such as a distribution contract.
- Union consultation for the categories above, with evidence.
- Adequate health insurance for the whole stay, covering medically necessary treatment including transport.
- Enough money to support the applicant and any dependants, shown through a contract, bank statements or an employer's allowances and accommodation.
- Health, character and genuine temporary entrant requirements, an Australian values statement for anyone 18 or over, and consent for any applicant under 18.
The full per-person list is in the document checklist.
After the grant
The visa is linked digitally to the passport; there is no label. The grant letter states the stay period. The times and places of the engagements in the application cannot be changed without asking the Temporary Specialist Entry Centre first, by email or in ImmiAccount. If the sponsor or supporter ends the engagement, the visa holder must apply for another visa if eligible or leave within 28 days.
Facts checked against the Home Affairs subclass 408 Entertainment Activities page on 19 September 2026.
Questions on this page
Can a subclass 408 entertainment visa be extended?
No. The stay is set by the approved activity, up to 2 years, and cannot be extended. A new visa application is the only route to staying longer, and Home Affairs generally does not let temporary residents extend their stay beyond 4 years this way.
Can I apply for a 408 entertainment visa while in Australia?
Yes, if you hold a substantive visa or your last substantive visa ceased within the last 28 days, and you have an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor. Applying in Australia always requires a sponsor rather than a supporter.
Does the 408 entertainment visa allow multiple entry?
Yes. The visa is granted with multiple entry and you can leave and re-enter as many times as you like while it is valid. Time spent outside Australia does not extend it.