Australia Entertainment Visa Lawyers
Australia Entertainment Visas
Whether you are heading out on tour, joining a theatre or dance company or working in film or television production in Australia, non-citizens/permanent residents of Australia will require a visa or other travel authorization for the duration of their stay.
The most common entertainment work visa for Australia is the Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408). A limited range of activities may also be possible on a Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist – subclass 400) Visa, or on a visitor visa or travel authorisation such as the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651).
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa – Entertainment Stream
Most non-residents wishing to work in the entertainment industry in Australia on a temporary basis will need to apply for and be granted a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa. This is the most commonly-issued visa for foreign workers on television, film and live productions in Australia.
This visa gives holders permission to:
- work in the entertainment industry in Australia for a maximum of two years
- travel freely to and from Australia for the duration of the visa
- bring eligible family members with them to Australia for the duration of the visa (additional fees apply)
In order to be eligible to apply for a Temporary Activity Visa, each individual or group applying must have a sponsor or supporter in Australia who can provide assurances that the reasons for applying for the visa are genuine. Usually, this will be an Australian business, working in conjunction with the relevant Australian creative industries union or guild. Typically, supporters and sponsors will work with either:
- the Musician’s Union of Australia;
- the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA); or
- the Australian Directors Guild (ADG)
Supporters can only assist with stays of less than three months and are not required to submit as much evidence to back up an application. Sponsors must go through a more rigorous process and have extra responsibilities (such as making sure the visa holder does the work they have been approved to do in their application), but can sponsor more people and will retain sponsor status for five years once approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
Temporary Activity (subclass 400) Visa – Short-Stay Specialist
A limited number of individuals intending to work in the entertainment industry in Australia may be able to utilise the Temporary Activity (Short-Stay Specialist – subclass 400) visa. However, prospective applicants should carefully note that most entertainment activity is not permitted on a 400 visa, and a subclass 408 visa will be a more appropriate option for most entertainment industry workers.
The following entertainment activities are permitted on a Subclass 400 visa:
- directing, producing or otherwise working on a production that will not be shown in Australia
- promotional activity e.g. a promo tour not including actual performances; attending a premiere
Subclass 400 visa holders are not permitted to perform or provide support to a performance in Australia, nor to take any part in a production that will be broadcast, performed or shown in Australia.
Applicants for this visa will need to prove that:
- they have an offer of work lasting less than six months
- they have the skills, knowledge or experience to undertake this work
- they do not expect or intend to stay in Australia once the work is completed
- they have adequate finances to support themselves and any family members who will be joining them during their stay
- they meet the Australian government’s health and good character requirements
Applications for a subclass 400 visa must be submitted from outside Australia. It is not possible to extend this visa.
Alternative Australian Visas for Entertainment Workers
In some circumstances, it may be possible to undertake work in the entertainment industry in Australia without a Subclass 400 or Subclass 408 visa.
If you are intending to undertake strictly amateur activity, you may be permitted to do so on the same basis as a tourist visit. Similarly, if your visit could be classified as business travel rather than work (for example, if you are attending a conference or making an exploratory visit), you may be able to do this on a visitor visa.
Which visitor visa you require depends primarily on your nationality and the length of time you wish to spend in Australia. If eligible, you may be able to travel to Australia on a free eVisitor visa (subclass 651) or an Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601). Otherwise, you will have to submit an application for a regular Visitor Visa (subclass 600).
Please ensure that you apply for the right visa for the activity you are intending to carry out in Australia. If you fail to secure the right visa before you arrive, you may be turned away at the border.
Fees and processing times
The fee for the Subclass 408 and Subclass 400 visas starts from AUD $405 per applicant. Most applications for these visas are processed within less than 28 days.
Visitor visas (subclass 600) cost from AUD $190 and are typically processed within 18 days. eVisitor visa applications are free and usually processed in less than one day.
Electronic Travel Authority visas carry a charge of AUD $20 for use of the Australian ETA app, but no other fees. Most applications receive a decision immediately.