Reviewed by Paula McGeown, Principal Lawyer · Updated
For the wider picture on athletes, coaches and event staff, see our guide to visas for athletes, race crews and event staff.
The routes we usually consider
Short Stay Specialist visa (subclass 400) for short-term, highly specialised work that is not ongoing.
Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) for some sporting and event-related activities, depending on the role and the organisation involved.
Employer sponsorship (subclass 482) for longer engagements with an Australian team or business. 482 sponsorship ↗
Plan around the whole event
Set-up, testing and pack-down often start well before race day and finish after it. We look at each person's actual dates and duties so the visa covers the whole stay, not just the race weekend.
Our experience
We have brought Formula 1 engineers and other specialist talent to Australia for events, and we coordinate applications for whole teams around the event schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Can motorsport engineers work in Australia on a visitor visa?
Generally no. Visitor visas allow business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences. Hands-on engineering or technical work for a team usually needs a work-related visa such as a subclass 400 or 408, depending on the role.
How early should a team apply?
As soon as the travelling team list and dates are known. Home Affairs controls processing times, and peak event periods can be busy, so early applications reduce the risk of key staff missing the event.
Do drivers need a different visa from the engineers?
Possibly. Drivers, engineers, mechanics, hospitality and media staff can have different activities and visa needs. We check each role so the whole team is covered.