408 Temporary Activity Visa
408 Sporting Stream
The Sporting stream of the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) is for professional athletes, coaches, sports officials, and support personnel travelling to Australia for a specific sporting engagement, competition, or event.
Who the Sporting stream covers
The stream covers professional athletes competing in a tournament, league, or event, as well as coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, and other support personnel directly attached to a sporting team or competition. The engagement must be specific and defined, not ongoing general employment.
The Australian sporting body, club, or event organiser must hold Temporary Activities Sponsorship approval. The sponsor must demonstrate the genuine nature of the sporting engagement and their capacity to support the visa holder during their stay.
The stay period reflects the duration of the sporting engagement, typically up to two years for longer competition seasons or multi-event arrangements. Visa holders are permitted to participate in the specific sporting activity approved under the visa only.
Athletes and support personnel
Covers athletes, coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, and other support personnel directly attached to a sporting team or competition in Australia.
Professional sporting context
The stream is primarily designed for professional sporting contexts. Amateur athletes may be eligible in some circumstances where a genuine sporting engagement with an Australian organisation exists.
Temporary Activities Sponsorship
The Australian sporting body, club, or event organiser must hold TAS approval and demonstrate the genuine nature of the sporting engagement.
Defined activity only
Visa holders may only participate in the specific sporting activity approved under the visa. Other employment in Australia is not permitted under this stream.
Sporting
Visa stream
2 years
Maximum stay period
TAS
Sponsorship required
No PR
No permanent residence pathway
Why instruct Visa Plan for your 408 Sporting application?
Stream eligibility
We confirm that your sporting engagement qualifies under this stream before any application is prepared, preventing refusals arising from incorrect stream selection.
Sponsorship approval
We assist sporting bodies and event organisers to obtain Temporary Activities Sponsorship approval and advise on the compliance obligations that apply throughout the engagement.
Application preparation
We prepare the visa application with all required evidence, ensuring the nature of the sporting engagement and the sponsor's capacity are clearly established for the Department.
408 Sporting stream information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. Eligibility criteria are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.