Reviewed by Paula McGeown, Principal Lawyer · Updated
The short answer.
Coming to Australia for an event is not the same as visiting. If a person is being paid, competing for prize money or working on the event, a visitor visa or ETA is usually the wrong visa. The main options are:
- Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408), Sporting Activities stream: for professional athletes, coaches, trainers and officials, generally supported by an Australian sporting organisation.
- Subclass 408, Australian Government endorsed events stream: for people accredited for a specified major event. Primary applicants can be eligible for a nil visa charge.
- Subclass 408, Entertainment Activities stream: for performers and production crew at entertainment events.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400): for highly specialised, non-ongoing work, such as specialist engineers or technicians brought in for a short period.
Which visa for which role.
| Role | Usual starting point |
|---|---|
| Professional athlete or team member | 408 Sporting Activities, or the endorsed event stream if the event is endorsed |
| Coach, trainer or match official | 408 Sporting Activities |
| Specialist race engineer or technician on a short assignment | 400 Short Stay Specialist, or 408 depending on the arrangements |
| Yacht race crew | Depends on whether crew are paid and their role: assess 408, 400 or a visitor visa |
| Performers and production crew | 408 Entertainment Activities |
Support staff are where groups most often go wrong. Analysts, physiotherapists, nutritionists and media staff may not fit the same stream as the athletes, so check each role separately before lodging as a group.
How long event visas take.
| Visa | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| 408 · Sporting Activities | 16 days | 4 months |
| 408 · Entertainment Activities | 23 days | 47 days |
| 400 · Short Stay Specialist | 8 days | 43 days |
The 90% figure is the one to plan around. For a fixed event date, aim to lodge at least three months before the first person needs to arrive, and earlier for large groups. Setup, testing and training often start well before the public event, so arrival dates should reflect when work actually begins.
What event visas cost.
From 1 July 2026, the main applicant visa application charge is $535 for a subclass 408 and $535 for a subclass 400. Primary applicants accredited for an Australian Government endorsed event can be eligible for a nil charge. The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is endorsed for accredited Games participants. Other major events are endorsed individually and for set periods, so check the current instrument for your event.
Sponsorship and support.
For the 408 Sporting Activities stream, an approved temporary activities sponsor is generally needed. This applies if the person applies in Australia, or applies from overseas and will stay longer than three months. For shorter stays from overseas, a letter of support from the relevant organisation may be enough. For endorsed events, the event organiser’s accreditation and support is central. Organisers bringing in people every year benefit from settling the sponsor arrangements well before the event season.
Our event experience.
We have secured visas for Sydney to Hobart race crews over multiple years, and brought in Formula 1 engineers and talent for modelling and music events. We work to the event timetable, coordinate the whole group, and keep organisers clear on what is outstanding. Sport and event visa advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can an athlete compete in Australia on an ETA or eVisitor?
Visitor visas are not designed for paid competition, prize money or work at an event. Athletes, crew and event staff usually need a 408 or another work-related visa, and each person’s role should be checked before they travel.
Can the whole team lodge together?
Applications can be coordinated and lodged together, but each person needs the visa that fits their role. Players, coaches, technicians and family members may need different visas.
What if the event is only weeks away?
Contact us straight away with the event dates, each person’s role, nationality and current visa. We can tell you quickly what is achievable. Home Affairs controls decision timing, so a grant date cannot be guaranteed.
Do family members need their own visas?
Yes. Accompanying family need their own visa, either included in the application where the stream allows it or as separate visitors.