Subclass 408- Temporary Activity (Research Activity) Visa

For academics who have been invited to observe or participate in an Australian research project, or to undertake research at an Australian tertiary or research institution.

Sponsorship / Support

You must be sponsored by an Australian tertiary or research institution IF:

• you are in Australia when you lodge your application OR
• you are outside Australia, and you intend to stay in Australia for more than 3 months

The institution sponsoring your application must meet the sponsorship test, which requires it to be formally approved as a sponsor (see ‘Sponsorship Application’ on the following page), and to agree in writing to sponsor your visa application.

If you are outside Australia, and you intend to stay in Australia for 3 months or LESS, then you do not need to be sponsored for this visa. Instead, the institution must meet the ‘support test’, which requires it to supply a letter inviting you to take part in the relevant research activity.

The institution seeking to sponsor or support your application must:

• be an Australian tertiary or research institution
• be lawfully operating in Australia

NOTE: In addition, there must not be any adverse information known that is relevant to its suitability as an approved sponsor or supporter. Adverse information includes (but is not limited to) contraventions of Commonwealth, State or Territory Laws relating to matters such as immigration, industrial relations or taxation; pending investigations or disciplinary actions; being the subject of administrative action for possible contravention of the law; insolvency; or having provided bogus documents or false/misleading information to the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA).