Sports Events and Short Tours in Australia: Which Visa?
Quick answer (October 2026)
Unpaid amateur tours usually fit a visitor visa (eVisitor, ETA or subclass 600). Invited players, teams, coaches and officials for a specific event usually need the 408 Sporting activities stream (supporter letter for stays of 3 months or less from offshore). Major events endorsed by the Australian Government have their own 408 stream. The 400 visa is only for genuinely highly specialised short-term work. The 400 and 408 charges are AUD 535 from 1 July 2026.
Australia hosts a busy calendar of international tournaments, test series, tours, masters games and training camps, and it is building towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. If you are travelling for a single event or a short tour, the right visa depends on three questions: are you paid or engaged by an Australian organisation, how long will you stay, and is the event endorsed by the Australian Government?
This guide compares the short-stay options for athletes, teams, coaches, officials, media and support staff. For contracted seasons with an Australian club, see the 408 Sports visa (Sporting Activities stream) guide instead.
Your options compared
| Visa | Best for | Typical stay | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisitor (651) or ETA (601) | Eligible passport holders on an amateur tour or unpaid competition | Up to 3 months per visit | Must not be paid by an Australian organisation for the activity |
| Visitor (600) | Amateur players and teams from countries not eligible for eVisitor or ETA | Usually up to 3 months (longer possible) | Genuine temporary visit and enough funds; no paid work |
| 408 Sporting activities (invited participant) | Invited players, teams, coaches and adjudicators taking part in a specific competition | Up to 3 months from offshore with a supporter | Supporter letter from the Australian sporting organisation |
| 408 Australian Government endorsed events | Competitors, officials and staff at major events with government endorsement | Length of the event | Endorsement of the event by the Australian Government |
| 400 Short Stay Specialist | Highly specialised, non-ongoing work that cannot reasonably be done by Australians | Generally up to 3 months, up to 6 in limited cases | Invitation or contract; must apply outside Australia |
Each option in more detail
Visitor visas suit amateurs. If you are travelling with a school, university, veterans or social team to play matches, or entering an open competition at your own cost, a visitor visa is often enough.
- eVisitor (651) is free and available to passport holders of many European countries.
- ETA (601) is available to passport holders of countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan and the UK, and is applied for through the official app with a service charge.
- Visitor (600) is for everyone else, or for longer or more complex visits. The offshore charge is AUD 250 from 1 July 2026.
You must not be paid by an Australian organisation, and the visit must be genuinely temporary. If the club is paying you, giving you accommodation in return for playing, or contracting you for a season, a visitor visa is usually not appropriate.
Who needs what: common scenarios
A club cricket team from overseas touring for three weeks, unpaid
A visitor visa (eVisitor, ETA or 600, depending on passports) is usually enough, as long as no one is paid by an Australian organisation.
A professional player invited to an international tournament for prize money
This depends on the event and how you are engaged. If an Australian organisation invites you to compete, the 408 Sporting activities stream with a supporter letter is the usual route for stays of 3 months or less. Get advice before relying on a visitor visa for professional competition.
An overseas coach joining a local club for a six-month season
This is a contracted season, not a short event, so the 408 with a temporary activities sponsor and national body endorsement is required. See 408 Sports visa (Sporting Activities stream).
A referee appointed by an international federation to officiate a tournament
The 408 Sporting activities stream (as an adjudicator) or the endorsed events stream, depending on the event, is usually the right option.
A team physiotherapist or analyst travelling with a national team
If the team is invited to an event, essential support staff can usually be included through the same supporter arrangements. A physio taking a job with an Australian club is different and usually needs an employer sponsored visa. See 482 and 186 visas for sports coaches, athletes and staff.
An athlete arriving early for a training camp before an event
Short training camps are commonly covered as part of the event visa if the dates are included in the supporter letter. Long training blocks may need the 408 sports trainee option.
Planning a team or group application
Event organisers and clubs can find more on their obligations in our Sports club and organisation visa guide. Costs for each visa are set out in our Sports visa costs compared (2026).
Frequently asked questions
Can I compete in Australia on a tourist visa?
You can usually take part in amateur sport on a visitor visa if you are not paid by an Australian organisation. If you are invited and supported by an Australian sporting organisation, or paid, the 408 Sporting activities stream is generally the right visa.
Is prize money treated as being paid?
Prize money and appearance fees can affect which visa is appropriate. Because the answer depends on the event and how you are engaged, get advice before you travel on a visitor visa to a professional competition.
How long does a 408 visa for an event take?
Many complete applications with a clear supporter letter are decided within a few weeks, but group applications and applicants who need health checks can take longer. Apply as early as possible.
Can support staff travel on the same visa as the team?
Each person needs their own visa, but essential staff such as coaches, managers, medical staff and analysts travelling with an invited team are usually included in the same supporter letter and apply through the same stream.
Can I stay on for a holiday after the event?
A short holiday after the event is commonly possible within the visa period, but it should be secondary to the event. Ask the organiser to include realistic dates in the supporter letter.
Can I apply for the 400 visa in Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia when you apply for the 400 visa and when it is decided, and it cannot be extended in Australia.