Every term on this page is used on the Department of Home Affairs subclass 408 pages or on a 408visa assessment. Each definition is one paragraph, in the order you are likely to meet them.
Subclass 408 to supporter
Subclass 408
The Temporary Activity visa. It has several streams; entertainment work uses the Entertainment Activities stream. Maximum stay 2 years, multiple entry, family can be included.
Entertainment Activities stream
The stream of the 408 for people working in the entertainment industry on film, television or live productions as a performer, production staff or support staff. It has seven categories and you apply under one of them.
Subclass 400
The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa, for highly specialised non-ongoing work not available in Australia. Up to 6 months, applied for outside Australia, no sponsor. Not for performers or production staff.
Category
The specific entertainment activity you apply under, for example "performing other than in film or television" or "working in a production role other than as a performer". The category decides whether union consultation and an Arts certificate are needed.
Supporter
The Australian organisation, government agency, or Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen behind an applicant who applies from outside Australia and stays less than 3 months. Provides the letter of invitation and itinerary.
Sponsor to union consultation
Temporary Activities Sponsor
An Australian organisation or government agency approved by Home Affairs to sponsor 408 applicants. Required when the applicant applies in Australia or stays more than 3 months. Carries obligations for the life of the engagement.
Sponsorship obligations
The duties an approved sponsor takes on for each applicant and their dependants, confirmed in a written statement attached to the visa application.
Letter of invitation and itinerary
The supporter's document setting out every performance with dates and venues. The engagements it lists cannot be changed after grant without permission.
ImmiAccount
Home Affairs' online portal. Every 408 application is lodged, paid for and tracked there, by the applicant or their appointed representative.
Visa application charge
The government fee paid at lodgement, from AUD 535 for a 408 main applicant plus a charge per family member. Not refundable on refusal in most cases.
Union consultation
The requirement that the sponsor or supporter consult the relevant Australian union or unions before engaging the applicant, for the performer, production staff and support staff categories. Evidence goes in the application.
Arts certificate to TSEC
Arts certificate
A certificate the sponsor or supporter must obtain from the federal arts department when the applicant is performing in a film or television production. Not needed for live performance or production staff.
Genuine temporary entrant
The requirement that the applicant genuinely intends to stay temporarily. Home Affairs looks at circumstances, immigration history and compliance, and generally will not let temporary residents extend beyond 4 years via this visa.
Members of the family unit
The partner and dependent children who can be included in the application at lodgement. They must meet health and character requirements and cannot be added afterwards; they would apply separately as subsequent entrants.
Subsequent entrant
A family member who applies to join a 408 holder after the main visa is granted, using the subsequent entrant form in ImmiAccount.
Substantive visa
Any visa other than a bridging visa or a criminal justice or enforcement visa. To apply for a 408 in Australia you must hold one, or have held one that ceased within the last 28 days.
Bridging visa A or C
The visa that keeps an in-Australia applicant lawful while the 408 is decided. It ceases on departure and has no right of return.
Temporary Specialist Entry Centre (TSEC)
The Home Affairs team that handles changes to a 408 holder's engagements. Any change of dates, venues or new events must be requested there before it happens, by email or through ImmiAccount.
Registered migration agent
A person registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority who, along with legal practitioners and exempt persons, is permitted to give immigration assistance in Australia. 408visa is not one and refers to one where advice is needed.
Definitions drawn from the Home Affairs subclass 408 Entertainment Activities page on 19 September 2026.
Questions on this page
What does "supporter" mean on a 408 visa?
The Australian organisation, agency or individual behind an applicant who applies from outside Australia and will stay less than 3 months. The supporter provides a letter of invitation with a full itinerary and a statement supporting any dependants.
What is the Temporary Specialist Entry Centre?
The Home Affairs team that must approve any change to a 408 visa holder’s engagements, such as new dates or venues, before the change happens. Requests go by email or through ImmiAccount.
What is a substantive visa?
Any visa other than a bridging visa or a criminal justice or enforcement visa. Applying for a 408 from inside Australia requires holding one, or having held one that ceased within the last 28 days.