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Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408)

Entertainment Activities Stream

Visa Application Guidelines

If you wish to apply for your visa directly with the Department of Home Affairs, we have created a Visa Application Guideline to provide assistance when you complete your online visa application.

Click on the participant category below to download your guide:

Media-Print

Journalist, Photographer, Radio Commentator, Editor

Click if you are:

Australian Audience

Media-Broadcast-Crew

TV Commentator, Camera Operator, Production manager, Technical Manager

Click if you are:

Australian Audience

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TV Commentator, Camera Operator, TV Journalist, Production Manager, Technical Manager

Click if you are:

Australian Audience

You cannot participate in the Australian Open 2025 or any Australian Open Lead-in Events until you have been granted a relevant SC408 visa with working rights.

What you need to know to apply for your visa

Apply

Now

Visa Fee

from AUD $415

Processing Time

2 weeks

Validity of Visa

up to 2 years


Biometrics

waiver applies only to selected participants*

People who are taking part in a production that will be shown, broadcasted or performed in Australia:

  • Media – Print/Website/Radio: Journalist, Photographer, Radio commentator
  • Host Broadcast Crew: TV Commentator, Camera operator, Production manager, Technical manager
  • Broadcast: TV Commentator, Camera operator, TV journalist, Production manager, Technical manager
  •  

Participants who are eligible for the Biometrics waiver

The Department of Home Affairs has waived the need for biometrics for the following participants of the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open:

  • Professional Players
  • Junior Players
  • Player Support Team
  • Player’s Direct Family members (partner/spouse, children, parents, and siblings)
  • Tour Staff
  • Officials
  • Tennis Australia Staff
  • Contractors and Suppliers


After you submit your visa application online, the Department of Home Affairs may request your biometrics via an automated email. If you receive this request, please ignore it.

Participants who are not eligible for the Biometrics waiver

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the following participants of the 2025 Australian Summer of Tennis and Australian Open are not eligible for the biometrics waiver:

  • Media
  • Broadcast
  • Partners and Sponsors
  • VIP Guests
  • Other Guests (friends and extended family members)


After you submit your visa application online, the Department of Home Affairs may request your biometrics via an automated email – depending on your passport country OR where you have lodged your visa application form. If you receive this request, you must arrange an appointment at your nearest biometric office so they can be collected.

The nominated biometrics collection agency will capture a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner. To check, click here.

  • The maximum stay for this temporary visa is 2 years.
  • The visa is granted with multiple entry. This means you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like while the visa is valid however the stay period will not reset each time you arrive in Australia.
  • If you are overseas when the visa is granted, the visa stay period starts on the day that you enter Australia. If you are in Australia, the visa starts on the day it is granted.

When you apply for your visa, you must attach:

  • Letter of Invitation from Tennis Australia  – click here to request your letter.

  • Passport: a clear colour copy of the photo page of your passport.

    If your current passport is close to expiry, you can still use it; however, you must upload your new passport later through your ImmiAccount before travelling, as visas are digitally linked to the passport used when applying for the visa. If you do not notify the Department of Home Affairs of your new passport, it will not be linked to your visa, and you may experience issues or delays at the border or when boarding an aircraft.

There are additional documents that you will need to include to support your application. See ‘Gather your documents’ at: Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Entertainment Activities stream (homeaffairs.gov.au)

You can pay for your visa via debit/credit card. Other options such as PayPal, UnionPay and BPAY are also available although not recommended as these can cause delays. Full payment must be made at the time of your application.

  • Travel dates: provide your travel dates to and from Australia.  You cannot enter Australia after your indicated departure date: e.g.if you apply to enter 1 December 2024 and depart 30 December 2024, you will not be allowed to enter Australia after 30 December.

  • Apply as an individual: during the online application, you will be asked if family members are to be included in your application. Please DO NOT include anyone on your visa application, as this may cause delays. Each traveller will need to apply for their own visa. * Please note: guests and family members may be eligible for a Visitor visa unless they have a working role e.g. your father is also your coach.

  • Application location: apply for your visa OUTSIDE of Australia (applying within Australia requires further documentation and creates delays).

  • Eligibility requirements: as part of the visa application, you may be required to provide further information to ensure you meet the health, character or health insurance requirements. For full details of the eligibility requirements, click here.

If you currently hold a visa to enter Australia, you should check with the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to ensure that it covers your intended period of stay and is appropriate for your role in the Australian Summer of Tennis or Australian Open (for example, permits multiple entries and has work rights if required). Being granted a 408 visa will cancel any ‘substantive visa’ that you currently hold, so please check before applying: click here

  • Australian visas can be applied for via an ImmiAccount
  • An ImmiAccount can be opened here

New Zealand passport holders are generally eligible for a Special Category visa (subclass 444). More information about this visa can be found here. We recommend that you check the requirements for a visa Subclass 444 in advance and before you travel. No letter of invitation from Tennis Australia is required to obtain this visa.

Ready to apply for your visa?

Contact our team

If you have a question regarding your visa application to enter Australia or if you would you like to engage our services for a fixed fee, we look forward to hearing from you.

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Please read all the important information on this page and:

  • Ensure this visa is correct for your personal circumstances
  • Review the information & documents required to support your visa application
  • Apply as soon as possible – and allow for your biometric requirement / appointment if applicable
  • If you are unsure of your participant category, review the options again, click here
  • Click here for frequently asked questions
  • Should you require our services to prepare and lodge the visa application, click here
  • Please note – participants are responsible for the payment of the visa fee application

Important: please do not include anyone on your visa application. Each traveller will need to apply for their own visa.

Thank you – your request for a Letter of Invitation has been submitted.  Please check your email for a confirmation that we have received your request.

You will receive your Letter of Invitation or a request for further details within 24 hours  . 

Click here to find out about the visa you require  –  click to Visa Info landing page