Need help? We are available to speak to you 7 days a weekRead More

Australia's largest independent migration law firm. Get a FREE Consultation T&C's apply

Need help? We are available 7 days a week.

Cross symbol icon
5/5 Rating (Thousands of Satisfied Clients!)
About UsAwardsVisa GuidesMediaReviewsResultsNews & UpdatesCareersCalculators
Partner Visas
Family & Parent Visas
Skilled & Work Visas
Protection Visas
Appeals & Cancellations
Other Visas
Locations
Open 7 days
Smartphone icon
1300 150 745

Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) – Sporting Activities Stream

The Sporting Activities Stream sits under the Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) and allows international athletes, coaches, instructors, adjudicators, and high-performance support staff to temporarily enter Australia. Designed to support elite competition and professional athletic development, this pathway enables foreign sports professionals to participate in national or international-level competitions, undertake high-performance sports training, or support Australian sporting organisations.

This stream maintains Australia's competitive standing in international sports while protecting local sporting integrity and workplace standards.

Ranked Best Lawyers
2026 & 2027

Winner of the
Australian Law Awards

Ranked Best Law
Firms Australia 2027

Ranked in Doyle’s
Guide Leading Immigration
Lawyers 2023-26

Chat icon graphic

Book your free 30 minute consultation

Tell us about your situation, and we will get back to you shortly.

‍

Disclaimer copy

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Are you eligible for the Sporting Activities Stream?

This visa stream caters to elite and high-performance individuals across the sporting sector:

Professional & Amateur Sportspeople: Elite athletes competing in Australian sporting leagues, national championships, or high-level tournament circuits.

Coaches & Instructors: Professional sports coaches and technical instructors contracted by Australian sporting clubs, academies, or national teams.

Adjudicators & Officials: Referees, umpires, judges, and sports adjudicators officiating in recognized sporting competitions.

High-Performance Support Staff: Sports physiotherapists, performance analysts, trainers, and specialized technical staff supporting individual athletes or teams.

Sports Trainees: Athletes undertaking full-time, structured sports training programs with high-performance Australian sporting organisations.

Stream-Specific Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Subclass 408 Sporting Activities Stream, applicants and their sponsoring organisations must meet specific criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs:

1

Endorsement by a Peak Sporting Body

Applicants must obtain an official letter of endorsement from the relevant Australian national peak sporting organisation (e.g., Tennis Australia, Rugby Australia) certifying that the applicant competes, coaches, or adjudicates at a national or international level.

2

Formal Contract or Agreement

Unless applying strictly as a high-performance sports trainee, applicants must hold a formal written contract or agreement with an Australian sporting organization detailing their role, duties, remuneration, and duration of engagement.

3

Sponsor vs. Supporter Requirement

The formal backing structure depends on where the application is lodged and the intended length of stay:

Stay Duration Application Location Requirement
3 Months or Less Applied Outside Australia Requires an Australian Supporter (an eligible Australian organisation or citizen/PR)
Over 3 Months Applied Outside Australia Requires an approved Temporary Activity Sponsor
Any Duration Applied Inside Australia Requires an approved Temporary Activity Sponsor

3 Months or Less

Application LocationApplied Outside Australia
RequirementRequires an Australian Supporter (eligible Australian organisation or citizen/PR)

Over 3 Months

Application LocationApplied Outside Australia
RequirementRequires an approved Temporary Activity Sponsor

Any Duration

Application LocationApplied Inside Australia
RequirementRequires an approved Temporary Activity Sponsor
4

Health Insurance & Financial Self-Sufficiency

Applicants must maintain adequate overseas health cover (OVHC) for the full duration of their stay and prove sufficient financial capacity to support themselves and any accompanying dependants.

50+ years

50+ years

years of combined experience

100% success rate

100% success rate

for Partner visas for genuine and continuing spousal relationships

Experienced

Experienced

migration lawyers and migration agents representing clients at tribunal and court level

Award winning

Award winning

law firm, recognised as leading migration lawyers and migration agents

The Australian Migration Lawyers difference

Fixed price

Fixed price

There are no hidden costs for our services. Our fees are clearly set out in a fee agreement.

Deal directly with a lawyer

Deal directly with a lawyer

From the first same-day response to the granting of your Australian visa, you'll have direct access to a lawyer.

Clear communication

Clear communication

Our experienced lawyers will give you regular updates and clear explanations of visa pathways.

Satisfaction guaranteed

Satisfaction guaranteed

We offer a client satisfaction guarantee in relation to our visa application services.

Installments available

Installments available

3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.

What does the application process look like?

1

Establish Sponsorship or Support

Identify whether your stay requires a formal sponsor or supporter based on stay length and location. Confirm whether an Australian sporting organisation will act as your Temporary Activity Sponsor or supporter.

2

Obtain Peak Body Endorsement

Submit your application to the relevant national peak sporting body in Australia to secure an official endorsement letter confirming your high-performance status.

3

Prepare Contracts & Technical Documentation

Gather your formal sporting contract, detailed competition schedule or training curriculum, health insurance policy, identity documents, and character clearances.

4

Lodge Visa Application via ImmiAccount

Submit the Subclass 408 visa application online through ImmiAccount, attach all required supporting evidence, and pay the visa application charge.

Book consultation

What things should you consider if applying through the Sporting Activities Stream?

Peak Body Endorsement Delays

Obtaining endorsement letters from national sporting bodies can take time. Submitting incomplete requests without sufficient proof of elite competition history frequently causes delays.

Distinguishing Competition vs. Training-Only Participation

Applications for training-only purposes require evidence of a structured, full-time high-performance program rather than routine club activities.

Sponsor vs. Supporter Misalignments

Failing to secure a formal Temporary Activity Sponsor when applying onshore or staying longer than 3 months is a common cause of visa refusal.

Claim Your Consultation

Obtaining endorsement from a national peak body, securing sponsorships, and coordinating visa application processes with the start and finish times of various seasons requires significant planning and preparation. Contact us today to speak directly with an experienced immigration lawyer to ensure your visa process is seamless.

Book consultation

Disclaimer: The content contained is informational in nature only. It should not be relied upon as formal legal or migration advice. Migration legislation changes often. If you would like tailored advice about your particular sporting contract, tour or training program, please reach out to us and we can arrange a consultation with one of our migration lawyers.

Award-winning Immigration Lawyers

We bring nationally recognised immigration law expertise directly to the clients. Every award listed below was earned through independent assessment, including peer review, client feedback, and workplace audits. When you work with our immigration lawyers, you are working with a firm whose quality has been verified from the outside.

doyles-image
2026
|
Doyle's Guide

Leading Immigration Law

Perry Q. Wood is ranked as a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Victoria in Doyle's Guide 2026. Four consecutive years of inclusion in Doyle's Guide establishes a verified, long-term record of excellence and peer recognition in Australian immigration law.

best-lawyers-image
2027
|
Best Lawyers

Best Law Firms Australia

Australian Migration Lawyers is ranked in the 2027 Best Law Firms - Australia edition by Best Lawyers. Firm rankings are determined through client feedback, peer nominations, and overall market reputation. Inclusion confirms the firm delivers top-tier legal services in immigration law at a national level.

best-lawyers-image
2027
|
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers in Australia™ Immigration Law

Perry Q. Wood is recognised in the 2027 Best Lawyers in Australia™ edition for Immigration Law. This ranking is awarded exclusively through confidential peer review by senior lawyers in the same practice area. It is the leading global legal directory benchmark.

View all awards

Our Success Stories

Schedule 3 Overcome: Double Partner Visa
Partner Visa (820/801)
Location

Melbourne

Schedule 3 Overcome: Double Partner Visa
Timeline

Timeline: 2 years and 11 months

Cindy Zhao
Cindy Zhao 趙青

3 months ago

Read more
Visitor Visa: Nepal to AU for Christmas
Visitor Visa (600)
Location

Sydney

Visitor Visa: Nepal to AU for Christmas
Timeline

Timeline: 3 months

Benjamin Magill
Benjamin Magill

1 year ago

Read more
Complex Skills in Demand Visa Case
Skills in Demand (482)
Location

Sydney

Complex Skills in Demand Visa Case
Timeline

Timeline: 9 months

Cindy Zhao
Cindy Zhao 趙青

1 year ago

Read more
View all success stories

We have experience working with LGBTIQ+ visas acorss Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases you will be able to be granted a period of time for which you may reside in Australia for up to two years. This would depend upon the duration of your sport's season, contract or training schedule.

Amateur sports people are able to claim access to the stream where they are undertaking a full time, structured high performance training program. In addition, amateur sports people that are identified by their National Peak Body as having the potential to represent their country at a national level may also be deemed eligible. Generally speaking, participation solely in local, grassroots amateur competitions will not qualify.

Yes. Eligible family members (such as your spouse/ de facto partner and dependent children), may be nominated as secondary applicants and are usually entitled to work and/or study whilst residing in Australia.

Claim your free consultation

Tell us a little about your situation, and one of our migration lawyers will contact you as soon as possible.

Need help with your Australian visa?

Speak with our experienced migration lawyers today.

Call 1300 109 771 Book a Consultation

Company

Connect With Us

Awards & Recognition

Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2026 Winner - Managing Partner of the Year Best Law Firms 2027 - Ranked by Best Lawyers
Australian Migration Lawyers - Recognized by Best Lawyers 2027 Perry Q. Wood - Recognized by Best Lawyers 2027
Doyles Leading Immigration 2026 Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Finalist 2026 - Migration Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2025 Finalist - Migration Partner of the Year Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2025 Finalist - Flos Greig Trailblazer Award Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2025 Finalist - Legal Support Professional of the Year

The information on this website is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Please speak with one of our lawyers about your individual circumstances.

Australian Migration Lawyers © 2026 - Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal Practitioner Number 5513032.

Important Information Regarding the Use of the Term ‘Partner’

We are an incorporated legal practice which is a corporation for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001. The use of the title ‘Partner’ by a lawyer in this practice is used to denote seniority and does not and is not intended to signify that the practice is contracting otherwise than as a corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, any such title does not and is not intended to signify that a partnership within the definition of the Partnership Act exists at law.

Visas
Partner and family visasWork and skilled visasProtection visasVisa Appeals
Company
About usNews & UpdatesCareersContactWhite smartphone illustration
1300 150 745
ContactWhite smartphone illustration
1300 150 745
Email Us
Connect With Us
Visas
Partner VisasParent VisasFamily VisasProtection VisasSkilled & Work VisasSkills In Demand VisaEmployer Nomination Scheme VisaVisa Appeals & Cancellations
Locations
Migration Lawyers AdelaideMigration Lawyers BrisbaneMigration Lawyers CanberraMigration Lawyers DarwinMigration Lawyers Gold CoastMigration Lawyers HobartMigration Lawyers MelbourneMigration Lawyers PerthMigration Lawyers Sydney
Resources
Create An IMMI AccountSuccess StoriesNews & UpdatesVisa GuidesPartner Visa Pathway AssessmentSkilled Visa Fee EstimatorEmployer - Sponsored Visa Fee CalculatorPR Points CalculatorCitizenship Practice Test
Company
About usAwardsAreas We ServeCareers
Terms & Conditions

|

Privacy Policy

*Terms only available for selected circumstances and visa types

Australian Migration Lawyers © 2026 - Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal Practitioner Number 5513032.

Important Information Regarding the Use of the Term 'Partner'

We are an incorporated legal practice which is a corporation for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001. The use of the title ‘Partner’ by a lawyer in this practice is used to denote seniority and does not and is not intended to signify that the practice is contracting otherwise than as a corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, any such title does not and is not intended to signify that a partnership within the definition of the Partnership Act exists at law.