Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. No (temporary) - activity-based visa.

Visa typeTemporary

LodgementOnshore or offshore

StayVaries by activity (up to ~2-4 years for some streams)

Work rightsOnly the nominated activity

Study rightsIncidental only

Government charge~$415

Processing time~3-6 weeks

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 408 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Pick the stream
Entertainment, sport, religious work, research, invited programs - each stream has its own evidence set. The wrong stream is the main pitfall.
Sponsor or invitation
Secure the supporting organisation, invitation or sponsorship the stream requires.
Lodge with stream evidence
Event contracts, itineraries, letters of invitation or research agreements as applicable.
Decision and briefing
Work rights are limited to the nominated activity.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 408 is viable.

An invitation or sponsorship for the specific activity streamEvidence relevant to your stream (event, sport, religion, research)Adequate funds and genuine purposeHealth and character requirements

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentStream-specific evidence: event contract, sports agreement, religious appointment or research invitationSponsorship or letter of invitation as the stream requiresItinerary and funding for the activity period

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$415
Skilling Australians Fund levy (paid by the employer, not the client)	482: $1,200-1,800/yr; 186/494: $3,000-5,000 one-off
Nomination fee (employer)	~$330-540
Skills assessment where required	~$500-1,600
English test	~$400-460
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 408 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Mariana from Kenya

Background: Mariana, a medical laboratory scientist from Kenya. People coming for specific activities - entertainment, sport, religious work, research, or invited cultural/social programs.
Why it qualified: (1) An invitation or sponsorship for the specific activity stream. (2) Evidence relevant to your stream (event, sport, religion, research). (3) Adequate funds and genuine purpose.
What made the file strong: Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~3-6 weeks).

Grant: Jorge from Malaysia

Background: Jorge, a chef from Malaysia. People coming for specific activities - entertainment, sport, religious work, research, or invited cultural/social programs.
Why it qualified: (1) An invitation or sponsorship for the specific activity stream. (2) Evidence relevant to your stream (event, sport, religion, research). (3) Adequate funds and genuine purpose.
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~3-6 weeks).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Lena from Nigeria

Background: Lena, an ICT business analyst from Nigeria, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 408.
What went wrong: Choosing the wrong activity stream
Outcome: The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

Refusal: Tunde from Indonesia

Background: Tunde, a diesel motor mechanic from Indonesia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 408.
What went wrong: Sponsor/invitation gaps
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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