400 and Visitor Visas for Performers in Australia
Not every trip to Australia by an artist is a working trip. Promotional tours, premieres, showcases, meetings, writing sessions and amateur performances raise a common question: do you need the 408 Entertainment Activities visa, or will a short stay or visitor visa do?
This page explains what performers, crew and their teams can and cannot do on the Short Stay Specialist (subclass 400) visa and on visitor visas, so you do not arrive on the wrong visa and get refused entry or breach your conditions. The general rule is simple: if you will perform, or work on a production shown in Australia, you need a 408.
Quick guide: which visa for which activity?
| Activity in Australia | Usual visa |
|---|---|
| Paid concert, tour, festival set or theatre season | 408 Entertainment Activities |
| Acting or crewing on a film, series or ad shown in Australia | 408 Entertainment Activities |
| Promotional tour, interviews or attending a premiere, without performing | 400 Short Stay Specialist (promotional activity) |
| Working on a production that will only be shown outside Australia | 400 may be possible; 408 category 7 is the alternative |
| Meetings with promoters, labels or producers; location scouting without production work | Visitor visa or travel authority (business visitor activities) |
| Attending a conference, awards night or industry event as a guest | Visitor visa or travel authority |
| Unpaid amateur performance at a community event | Sometimes a visitor visa; check before you travel |
| Holiday after a tour ends | Visitor visa, or stay on your 408 if it is still valid and permits it |
These are general guides. The details of your engagement decide the right visa, so check your plans against our touring checklist or speak to us before booking flights.
The options in detail
The subclass 400 visa is for short, non-ongoing work. For entertainment it is narrow:
- Allowed: promotional activity such as publicity, interviews and attending a premiere, without performing.
- Allowed: directing, producing or otherwise working on a production that will not be shown in Australia.
- Not allowed: performing in Australia, supporting an entertainer who performs, or taking part in a production that will be shown, broadcast or performed in Australia.
Other key rules: you generally stay up to three months (up to six months with a strong case), you must apply and be outside Australia when the visa is decided, and the visa cannot be extended in Australia. Family members can be included but cannot work.
How to decide: step by step
Common mistakes
- Travelling on an ETA for a “small” paid gig. Any paid performance needs a 408.
- Assuming a promo tour is fine on a visitor visa. Structured promotional work for a label or promoter is usually better on a 400, and performing at the event needs a 408.
- Applying for a 400 while in Australia. The 400 must be applied for and decided while you are outside Australia.
- Forgetting support crew. A sound engineer or tour manager supporting a performance needs a 408 too.
- Planning to extend a 400 in Australia. It cannot be extended, so build buffer time into the original application.
If you are unsure, our entertainment visa FAQ covers more scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
Can I perform one show on a visitor visa or ETA?
No. Paid performances are work and need the right visa, usually the 408 Entertainment Activities stream. Some unpaid amateur activity may be possible as a visitor, but check before you travel.
Can I do a promotional tour on a 400 visa?
Yes, promotional activity such as interviews, publicity and attending a premiere, without performing, is one of the entertainment uses of the 400 visa. If you will also perform, apply for a 408 instead.
How long can I stay on a 400 visa?
Generally up to three months, and up to six months where there is a strong business case. The visa cannot be extended in Australia.
Can I apply for a 400 visa while I am in Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.
Can my manager come on a visitor visa while I perform on a 408?
If your manager will only attend meetings and not support the performance, a visitor visa may be enough. If they will work on the tour, they should be included as support staff on a 408.
What does a visitor visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 a Visitor (subclass 600) visa applied for outside Australia costs from $250. The eVisitor is free and the ETA has a service charge for the app. See Entertainment visa costs compared.
Related entertainment visa guides
Keep reading to plan your visa with the rest of our entertainment visa guides: