International musicians performing in Australia, and the band, technicians and support staff travelling with them, use the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408), Entertainment Activities stream. Performers fall under "performing other than in film or television", technicians under "production staff" and coaches, stylists and dressers under "support staff". For a run under 3 months applied for from outside Australia the promoter can act as supporter; longer runs or in-country applications need an approved sponsor.
The visa
Home Affairs lists "international musician or support staff", "singer" and "classical musician" among the examples of eligible work for the subclass 408 Entertainment Activities stream. The visa allows up to 2 years, is granted with multiple entry, and can be applied for in or outside Australia. The Home Affairs charge is from AUD 535 per main applicant. Family can be included.
Mapping the party
A touring party is not one visa application, it is a set of applications under several categories, all supported by the same Australian side:
- Artist, band, backing vocalists, DJs, guest musicians: performing other than in film or television
- Front of house and monitor engineers, lighting, backline techs, stage and production managers, riggers: working in a production role other than as a performer
- Tour manager, personal assistant, hair, make-up, wardrobe, vocal coach, physio: working as support staff for an entertainer or group
- Partners and children: members of the family unit on the relevant applicant's application
All three working categories require the supporter or sponsor to consult the relevant Australian union before engaging the person, with evidence in the application. A single specialist who is not part of the entertainment activity, for example a manufacturer's engineer commissioning a staging system, may fit a subclass 400 instead.
The promoter as supporter or sponsor
An Australian promoter is usually the natural Australian side. For a run of under 3 months, applied for from outside Australia, the promoter can be the supporter: it issues the letter of invitation with every date and venue, states its support for any dependants, and shows it is lawfully established. For a longer run, or for anyone already in Australia when they apply, the promoter needs to be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.
No Australian promoter
Self-promoted runs, showcase trips and festival slots booked directly often have no Australian entity behind them. TourHub Australia Pty Ltd, which operates 408visa, can act as the supporting or sponsoring entity for the party, take on the union consultation and issue the itinerary letters. Say so on the assessment form and it is confirmed in the first reply.
A working timeline
- Contracts signed: send the manifest (name, role, passport country, where they will be when they apply, stay length) to 408visa.
- Within days: route confirmed per person, invitation letter and itinerary issued, union consultation started.
- Document packs assembled per person, checked, then lodged in each applicant's ImmiAccount.
- Grants tracked; flights bought against grant letters, not before.
- Any added show or venue change requested from the Temporary Specialist Entry Centre before it happens.
Checked against the Home Affairs subclass 408 Entertainment Activities page on 19 September 2026.
Questions on this page
Do backing musicians need the same visa as the headline artist?
Yes. Backing musicians and vocalists performing on stage fall under the 408 "performing other than in film or television" category, the same as the headline artist. Backing music or vocals provided as a personal service to the artist can instead fall under support staff. Either way it is a 408.
Can a band tour Australia on a Visitor visa?
No. Performing for payment is work, and Home Affairs lists international musicians under the 408 Entertainment Activities stream. A Visitor visa is for attendees, amateur performers and volunteers who are not paid beyond reasonable expenses.
Can family travel with a touring musician on a 408 visa?
Yes. Members of the family unit can be included in the application at lodgement, must meet health and character requirements, and carry an additional charge. They cannot be added after lodgement; they would need to apply separately as subsequent entrants.