Entertainment visas for Australia — fast, clear and compliant.

Timelines vary with case complexity and seasonality, but ideally we ask for 4 weeks processing time. It gives us time to work through your application, chase missing items and build a strong application. MEAA require 5-14 working days for consultation and IMMI return process usually 7-21 days. We advise realistic ranges and manage expectations case by case.

Usually yes; we’ll guide you on host letters and sponsorship where applicable. Where your project is longer than 3 months you will need us to consider your for Sponsorship.

Yes — talk to us about your needs so we can come up with the best way to coordinate to keep everything on track.

If you wish to arrive in Australia in less than a month, please get in touch to get the ball rolling. We can do a rush review and readiness check and prioritise critical path tasks first. We can assist with getting your paperwork and application together quickly, however as the application is lodged with government departments, we cannot guarantee their timeframes after we have lodged.

As there are NO EXTENSIONS on a 408 Visa, we advise submitting a realistic schedule to include some contingency dates for weather, illness and misadventure so that you have a valid visa for all crew should any of these events affect your production. Alternatively, you would need to do a full application again, including paying all costs to MEAA, IMMI and Entertainment Visas Australia for a new application.

If you know at the time of application that your shooting schedule will include multiple visits to Australia, you should submit a Schedule outlining this. In that case, we can apply for a visa to cover the full duration. The 408 visa allows multiple entries into Australia. However, if this is not included in your original application, you would need to reapply. See FAQ on Extensions for more details.

Yes. If you’re doing any kind of paid or professional work in Australia, you’ll need the appropriate visa. For film, TV, stage, or related production work, the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408 – Entertainment stream) is the Visa you will need to apply for. Tourist visas do not allow you to work, even if it’s short-term or unpaid. Using the wrong visa can cause problems at the border and affect future entry to Australia (it can also affect applications to visit or work in other countries). This involves anyone, any role - crew, talent, an Executive from the Production Company - who will step foot on location, set, studio.

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is the union representing performers and crew in Australia.

• For most screen and stage productions, the Department of Home Affairs requires a consultation with MEAA as part of the visa application process.
• This consultation ensures the work meets industry standards and that opportunities for Australian workers are being considered.
• Without MEAA consultation, your Temporary Activity (subclass 408 – Entertainment stream) visa application will not be approved.

In short: MEAA consultation is a mandatory step in the visa process for entertainment work in Australia.

Yes. The mandatory MEAA consultation process considers whether Australian talent and crew are being given fair opportunities. Productions are expected to prove that the employment of overseas workers is justified, and whilst hiring a local Australian into every role is not required, the visa process requires a production to demonstrate a Net Employment Benefit (NEB) to the Australian film/entertainment industry.

No. You do not need to consult or pay a lawyer to assist with your application for a Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Entertainment Activities stream. Engaging a lawyer will cost significantly more, but it will not make the process faster or change the outcome.

That said, we do recommend working with a professional Australian company that has relevant experience, insurances, and workers’ compensation coverage.