Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. No (temporary) - short-stay specialist work only.
Visa typeTemporary (short stay)
LodgementOffshore (usually)
StayUp to 3 months (sometimes 6)
Work rightsThe specialised work specified
Study rightsNo
Government charge~$415
Processing time~days to a few weeks
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 400 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
Test the fit honestly
Highly specialised, short-term, non-ongoing work not readily available in Australia. If the role is ongoing or a local could do it, it is a 482 conversation, not a 400.
Evidence the specialisation
CV, references, and a detailed letter from the Australian host describing why this person, this task, this duration.
Lodge offshore
Usually lodged and granted offshore; short stays (up to 3 months, sometimes 6).
Decision and briefing
Fast decisions are common; brief the client to work only within the specified activity.
3. Eligibility checklist
Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 400 is viable.
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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.
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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)
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 400 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Lena from Malaysia
Background
Lena, a medical laboratory scientist from Malaysia. People coming for short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work, or to participate in an event.
Why it qualified
(1) Highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Australia. (2) Short-term, non-ongoing work. (3) Genuine reason and adequate funds.
What made the file strong
The file opened with a short submission mapping each criterion to its evidence, so the case officer never had to hunt.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~days to a few weeks).
Grant: Tunde from Nigeria
Background
Tunde, a chef from Nigeria. People coming for short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work, or to participate in an event.
Why it qualified
(1) Highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Australia. (2) Short-term, non-ongoing work. (3) Genuine reason and adequate funds.
What made the file strong
The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~days to a few weeks).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Anya from Indonesia
Background
Anya, an ICT business analyst from Indonesia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 400.
What went wrong
Work that is ongoing rather than short-term/specialised
Outcome
The Department refused; the client lost the application charge, months of lead time, and in this subclass a refusal also complicates any onshore follow-up.
Lesson for the agent
Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.
Refusal: Farid from Kenya
Background
Farid, a diesel motor mechanic from Kenya, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 400.
What went wrong
Applying when a 482/employer visa is the right fit
Outcome
The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
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.
9. Self-exam
9 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.