408 Sports Trainee Visa: Elite Training Programs in Australia

Australia is a popular base for athletes training towards national and international competition. The 408 sports visa has a separate option for sports trainees, which is different from the option for players and coaches contracted to a club. This page explains who qualifies and what the training organisation needs to show.

Who can apply as a sports trainee

You must be a sportsperson or adjudicator who is either:

• currently competing or adjudicating at Australian national level, or the equivalent; or
• endorsed by the relevant peak sporting body, in Australia or overseas, as having the demonstrated potential to compete or adjudicate at that level.

Under policy, an endorsement from a peak body confirming your elite or emerging elite status can often be accepted without further checks. If the Department doubts that the endorsement comes from the true peak body, it can make its own enquiries.

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Requirements for the training organisation

• it must be a sporting organisation lawfully operating in Australia;
• it must have an international reputation for training elite sportspeople or adjudicators, for example a track record of training national level athletes with suitably credentialed coaches;
• it cannot be a sporting club whose primary activity is competing below Australian national level;
• it must be the sponsor or supporter for the application.

Newer academies without a long record may need to show capacity, such as national or international level coaches and programs designed for athletes aiming at national level. The Department can check with the peak sporting body.

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The training program

Under policy, the organisation should give a written copy of the training program. Training must be your main activity, and the program should be structured to achieve a high performance outcome that fully engages you during your stay. Working while training is not generally part of this option.

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Why local clubs cannot use this option

The restriction on clubs competing below national level is deliberate. A local club that wants an overseas athlete to train and play with it must use the option for players, coaches, instructors and adjudicators, which needs national body endorsement and a contract. See overseas players for local clubs.

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Sponsor or supporter, stay and conditions

If you apply outside Australia for 3 months or less, the training organisation can be your supporter. Longer stays, or applications made in Australia, need the organisation to be an approved temporary activities sponsor. The visa can be granted for up to 2 years, aligned with the program. You need adequate health insurance and enough money to support yourself. Training at the same level may also fit the 407 Training visa in some cases.

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Costs

From 1 July 2026, the 408 visa application charge is $535 for each applicant aged 18 or over, and the temporary activities sponsorship fee is $420. See sports visa costs compared.