EMC Australia / Subclass 403 / 408
Special programs and activities — not ordinary skilled work.
403 covers programs such as PALM and MATES. 408 covers activities such as sport, research, religious work and some events. The stream on the form is what matters. If the job is a normal skilled role, this is usually the wrong visa. Directions 121 and 122 do not apply.
This is for you if
Who this page is for
- You have been told to apply for PALM, MATES or another 403 program
- You are coming for sport, research, a religious position or a listed event on a 408
- Someone suggested 408 instead of 482 for a normal job
How it works
What this visa asks of you
These are the parts of this visa, in the order they usually matter.
403 or 408
Depends on the program
Name the stream
Each stream has its own sponsor, duration and work rules.
A 408 event stream is not a PALM 403. Do not copy another person’s form.
Grant
In or from outside Australia, depending on the stream
The visa
The sponsor and the activity have to match the stream you ticked.
Working outside the activity is how these visas fail.
How EMC works
How we help
01
The stream, not the number
403 and 408 are umbrellas. We write the stream you are actually on.
First conversation
What to bring
- What program or activity you were offered
- Who is sponsoring it
- Passport and any previous Australian visa
Before you apply
Things that go wrong
- A normal chef, nurse or engineer role is usually 482, not 408.
- Program caps and employer rules sit with the stream, not with EMC’s preference.
Questions
People ask this first
Not by itself. Some people later qualify for another visa. The 408 is for the activity named on it.
Start with your situation.
You do not need to memorise the subclass. Book a consultation, or send a short note.MARN 1800335 · Level 14, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Other work
This page is general information, not advice about your circumstances. Australian migration law changes. You should consult a Registered Migration Agent before you apply. EMC Australia is OMARA-registered (MARN 1800335).