Documentaries, Commercials, Presenters and Reality TV: Which 408 Category?

Overseas production companies regularly film documentaries, travel shows and commercials in Australia. Choosing the right 408 Entertainment category for each person on the shoot saves time and avoids requests for more information. This page explains how the Department of Home Affairs approaches documentaries, commercials, presenters and reality TV.

Documentary or commercial for an overseas market

This category covers people taking part in making a documentary program or a commercial for an overseas market. It does not need union consultation or a net employment benefit.

Under policy, a documentary is a factual presentation of a real event, era or a person’s life in a television, film, online video or radio program. Light entertainment and reality programs can count if they factually portray real events or people, and commercial content is fine if it is incidental. A drama with fictional characters is not a documentary, and a reality show with a competitive element and prizes is generally not a documentary either.

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What counts as an overseas market?

Because most content ends up available worldwide, the Department looks at the initial point of distribution. The category fits if the first release is for an overseas audience and any Australian audience is incidental, for example a foreign language channel that can also be watched in Australia. If a deal has been made for wide Australian distribution, such as English language Australian television, the cast and crew should apply under production roles instead.

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Productions for Australian audiences

Person	Usual category
Director, producer, camera, sound and lighting crew	Production roles other than as a performer
On screen presenter of a documentary or reality show	Production roles other than as a performer
Well known person playing themselves in a commercial shown in Australia	Production roles other than as a performer
Actor in a lead, major supporting or cameo role in film or TV	Performing in a film or television production
Hair, make up, wardrobe and personal staff	Support staff for profit

These categories need union consultation. Production roles and support staff also need an itinerary and a net employment benefit to the Australian entertainment industry, and film and television performers need a performing contract and an Arts certificate. See 408 visas for film and TV productions.

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Reality TV contestants

Under policy, the 408 is generally appropriate for people receiving a salary. Contestants who are not paid a salary to appear may be able to use a visitor visa or ETA. If a contestant is a celebrity engaged under contract because of their celebrity, the 408 Entertainment activity type is the right visa. See also Australian visas for celebrities.

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When a 400 visa may be enough

For a short shoot of a documentary or commercial for an overseas audience, the 400 Short Stay Specialist visa can also be suitable. Journalists working for overseas media can generally use a 400 for stays of up to 6 months. See 400 visas for media, sport and influencers.

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Sponsor or supporter

An Australian production service company, government agency or foreign government agency can sponsor, if it is an approved temporary activities sponsor. For stays of 3 months or less with applications made outside Australia, a supporter letter is enough.