Stand-up comedians, theatre companies, classical musicians, ensembles and online entertainment video performers use the 408 Entertainment Activities stream under the category of performing other than in film or television. Their coaches, dressers and technical staff use the support staff and production staff categories. The Australian presenter or venue is the supporter or sponsor and must consult the relevant union. Non-profit engagements have a separate category with evidence of non-profit status.
The category
Home Affairs lists live theatre performance, stage comedy, classical music performance and online marketing or entertainment video under "performing other than in film or television". It is the category for a comedian on a festival run, a West End transfer, a visiting orchestra or a chamber group. Union consultation by the sponsor or supporter applies; the Arts certificate does not, that is a film and television requirement.
The whole party
An orchestra is a manifest, not a person. Players are performers; the librarian, stage manager and instrument technicians are production staff; a conductor's assistant or a wardrobe dresser is support staff. Each person lodges their own application against one itinerary and one Australian supporter or sponsor. For a large party the sequencing of those applications is most of the work.
Non-profit engagements
Performing in, or supporting, a non-profit production is its own category. The engagement cannot serve a commercial interest and any profit must go to a non-commercial organisation, charity or patron. The application carries evidence that the sponsor's or supporter's non-profit status is accepted by the Australian Taxation Office or a state agency, and that tax obligations are met. Union consultation is not listed for this category.
Festival runs and short stays
A three-week comedy festival run, applied for from outside Australia, is supporter territory: the festival or presenter provides the invitation letter and itinerary. A performer already in Australia on another visa who picks up a run needs an approved sponsor, whatever the length. And a stay that crosses 3 months, for example a run in two cities with a gap, tips into sponsor territory even from outside Australia.
Workshops and competitions
- A choreographer giving a dance workshop that ends in a ticketed public performance: 408 Entertainment stream. The same workshop with an unticketed closing performance: Invited Participant stream.
- A competitor in a non-sporting competition such as a dance, music or online gaming competition: Invited Participant stream, or possibly a Visitor visa.
Facts checked against the Home Affairs subclass 408 Entertainment, Invited Participant pages on 19 September 2026.
Questions on this page
Does a comedian need a sponsor for a festival run?
Applying from outside Australia for under 3 months, a supporter is enough: the festival or presenter provides a letter of invitation with the dates and venues. A comedian already in Australia, or staying 3 months or more, needs an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.
Do orchestra players each need a visa?
Yes. Every player, technician and support staff member lodges a separate subclass 408 application, all against the same itinerary and the same Australian supporter or sponsor.
Is a charity concert a different category?
If the engagement serves no commercial interest and any profit goes to a non-commercial organisation, charity or patron, it falls under the non-profit engagement category, with evidence of the sponsor's or supporter's non-profit status.