A Temporary Activity Sponsorship (TAS) is a type of sponsor approval required before a business can bring overseas workers to Australia under certain temporary visa categories – most commonly the Training visa (Subclass 407) and the Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408).
Unlike Standard Business Sponsorship, which is used for employer-sponsored work visas like the 482, a TAS is specifically designed for short-term, non-ongoing arrangements such as structured training programs, intra-corporate staff exchange, or certain government-endorsed activities.
Once approved, a TAS remains valid for five years and allows the sponsoring organisation to nominate multiple individuals during that period, subject to meeting the relevant requirements for each. Approval is not automatic – the Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the organisation is lawfully operating and capable of meeting its ongoing sponsorship obligations.
For businesses that regularly bring overseas trainees or participants to Australia, having an active TAS in place before the need arises is strongly advisable. The application process takes time, and from March 2026, a Training visa application cannot be lodged until both the TAS and the nomination are approved.