May 2, 2026

Employer Visa

Training Visa Subclass 407 — Complete Guide 2026 | Abbasi Migration

When most people first hear about the Training Visa Subclass 407, they have one of two reactions. Either they assume it’s just a backdoor work visa dressed up as training, or they completely overlook it because it sounds too niche for their situation. Both assumptions are wrong. And both assumptions have cost people genuinely good opportunities.

In my experience working with skilled professionals from healthcare, engineering, finance, and the trades, the 407 visa is one of the most underutilised pathways in Australia’s migration system. It’s not a work visa in the traditional sense. However, it absolutely allows you to work — as part of a structured, employer-led training program that builds your skills in a real Australian workplace. That distinction matters enormously, both legally and practically.

There’s also something important you need to know right now, before you read another word about this visa elsewhere. From 11 March 2026, the rules changed. All 407 visa applicants now require both an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor and — unless the sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency — an approved nomination. Several competitor websites still show the old rules. This guide reflects the current requirements.

In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly who the 407 visa is for, the three types of training it covers, what your sponsor must do, what you must prove, and how the application process works step by step. By the end, you’ll know whether this visa suits your situation — and what to do next.

What Is the Training Visa Subclass 407?

The Training Visa Subclass 407 is a temporary Australian visa. It allows individuals to come to Australia or stay in Australia to participate in structured, workplace-based occupational training or professional development activities.

Think of it as Australia’s way of allowing overseas professionals to build their skills inside a real Australian workplace, rather than just in a classroom. Consequently, at least 70% of the training must take place on the job, not in a lecture theatre.

The visa is generally valid for up to 2 years, though the actual duration depends on the length of your approved training program. The case officer assessing your application will set the visa period based on how long they determine your training genuinely needs.

Key Facts at a Glance

Feature	Details
Visa Subclass	407
Visa Type	Temporary
Maximum Stay	Up to 2 years
Application Fee	AUD $430 (primary applicant)
Additional applicant 18+	AUD $430
Additional applicant under 18	AUD $110
Subsequent application charge	AUD $700
Leads to PR?	No — not directly
Work allowed?	Yes — but only related to your training program

⚠️ Important Policy Change — 11 March 2026

From 11 March 2026, the application process for the Training Visa Subclass 407 changed in one critical way.

Previously, sponsors could lodge a nomination and a visa application at the same time — concurrently. That is no longer allowed.

From 11 March 2026, the nomination application must be fully approved before you can lodge your visa application. You cannot submit both at the same time. The nomination comes first. The visa application comes second — only after the Department of Home Affairs has approved the nomination.

This means the process now has a strict sequence:

Sponsor applies for and receives Temporary Activities Sponsorship approval
Sponsor lodges nomination — and waits for it to be approved
Only after nomination approval can you lodge your visa application

This change adds time to the overall process. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for the 407 visa, factor in the nomination processing time before your intended start date. Starting the sponsorship and nomination process early is no longer just good practice — it is essential.

Who Is the 407 Visa For?

The 407 visa suits three distinct groups of people. Understanding which group you belong to determines which training type applies to your application.

Group 1 — Professionals seeking occupational registration. You need workplace-based training to obtain a licence, registration, or professional membership in Australia or your home country. Healthcare professionals, engineers, and tradespeople frequently fall into this group.

Group 2 — Skilled workers wanting to enhance their occupation skills. You’re already experienced in your field, and now you want structured on-the-job training in Australia to develop your skills further. Your occupation must appear on the relevant legislative instrument (the 407 occupations list).

Group 3 — Overseas managerial or professional employees. Your overseas employer wants to send you to Australia for formal professional development — primarily classroom-based training in skills relevant to your management or professional role.

What the 407 visa is not for: filling labour shortages. If your employer’s primary goal is to get a worker on-site because they can’t find an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the Subclass 482 is the correct pathway — not the 407. The Department of Home Affairs is clear on this distinction, and applications that look like disguised work arrangements are refused.

The 3 Types of Occupational Training Under the 407 Visa

The training you participate in must fall into one of three formally defined categories. Each type has its own specific requirements. Furthermore, the training plan you submit must be specifically structured and individually tailored to your needs — not a generic program pulled off a shelf.

Type 1 — Occupational Training Required for Registration

This covers training you need to obtain occupational registration, membership, or a licence to legally work in your occupation — either in Australia or in your home country.

Examples include:

A doctor or nurse completing supervised clinical hours required for AHPRA registration
An engineer completing supervised practice hours required by Engineers Australia
A tradesperson completing the practical component required for a licence in their state or territory

For health practitioners who will treat patients as part of their training, you must hold conditional registration from the relevant national or state/territory regulatory body before your nomination is approved. This is non-negotiable.

Type 2 — Occupational Training to Improve Skills in an Eligible Occupation

This is the most commonly used stream. It’s for skilled workers who want to enhance their existing abilities through structured workplace training at an Australian organisation.

To qualify, you must:

Have your occupation listed on the relevant legislative instrument (407 occupations list)
Have at least 12 months of full-time relevant work or study experience in that occupation
That experience must have occurred within the 24 months immediately before the nomination is lodged
The training must be specifically tailored and timed to your individual training needs
At least 70% of training must be on-the-job (not classroom-based)
Training must comprise at least 30 hours per week

One thing I want to emphasise here: the training plan is everything. A vague document saying “the trainee will improve their skills” won’t pass. The Department looks for clearly defined objectives, timeframes, tasks, difficulty progression, and outcome assessments. Moreover, the plan must show a genuine escalation in complexity as the training progresses.

Type 3 — Occupational Training for Capacity Building Overseas

This stream covers three sub-categories:

Overseas qualification training: Students currently enrolled at a foreign educational institution who must complete a period of practical training, research, or observation to complete their qualification. This is capped at 6 months.

Government-supported training: Training backed by an Australian Commonwealth, state or territory government agency, or by the national or provincial government of the applicant’s home country. The training must be specifically tailored to the applicant’s needs.

Professional development: Face-to-face, primarily classroom-based professional development programs for overseas managers or professional employees. Unlike the first two sub-categories, this stream is predominantly classroom-based rather than workplace-based. Your overseas employer must be sending you to Australia specifically for this program.

Eligibility Requirements for the 407 Visa Applicant

Before your sponsor does anything, you need to confirm you personally meet the eligibility criteria. Here’s what the Department requires.

Age

You must be at least 18 years of age at the time the Department decides your application. There is no upper age limit.

English Language

You must demonstrate Functional English. Specifically, you need an average IELTS band score of at least 4.5 across all four components — listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Equivalent scores in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, or OET are also accepted.

Functional English is a lower threshold than Competent English (required for 186 and 187 visas). However, it is still a formal requirement. Do not assume you are exempt without checking.

Genuine Temporary Entrant

You must genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the sole purpose of completing your approved training. The Department considers your personal circumstances, ties to your home country, immigration history, and the nature of your training program when assessing this.

Health and Character

All applicants — including family members included in the application — must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. You must provide police clearances and pass a medical examination as required.

Health Insurance

You must hold adequate health insurance that covers your entire stay in Australia. This is a visa condition, not just a recommendation. Without it, your visa application will not succeed.

Onshore Applicants — Visa Status Requirement

If you are applying from inside Australia, you must currently hold a valid substantive temporary visa. However, you cannot be on any of the following:

A Subclass 403 visa (Domestic Worker Diplomatic or Consular stream)
A Subclass 771 (Transit) visa
A Special Purpose visa

Additionally, if you do not hold a substantive visa when you apply (for example, your visa recently expired), your previous substantive visa must not have been one of the above, and you must apply within 28 days of your last visa ceasing to be in effect.

Sponsor Requirements — Who Can Sponsor You

Your sponsor must be an organisation approved as a Temporary Activities Sponsor by the Department of Home Affairs. Individual people and sole traders cannot sponsor 407 visa applicants — only organisations.

The following types of organisations can apply to be a Temporary Activities Sponsor:

Organisations lawfully operating in Australia
Australian Government agencies (Commonwealth, state or territory)
Foreign government agencies
Religious institutions

Sponsorship approval typically lasts 5 years from the date of approval. Your sponsor directly provides the occupational training, unless they are an Australian Commonwealth Government agency or hold a specific exemption.

Nomination Requirements

Once the organisation is an approved sponsor, they must also submit a nomination (unless they are a Commonwealth Government agency). The nomination provides details about:

You, the intended trainee
The purpose and type of training
How and where the training will be delivered
The structured training plan specific to your needs

It costs AUD $420 for sponsorship and AUD $170 for nomination. Your sponsor pays these fees directly.

Sponsor Obligations

Your sponsor takes on legal obligations when they sponsor you. Consequently, they must:

Ensure you are paid and treated no less favourably than Australian workers doing equivalent work
Pay you at the annual market salary rate
Comply with all Australian immigration and workplace relations laws

Meet their Temporary Activities Sponsor obligations even if they appoint someone else to act on their behalf

Important: If your sponsor ends your training early, you must notify the Department of Home Affairs. You may then seek another organisation to sponsor you. However, you will need to explain why the original training period was not completed.

Visa Conditions — What You Can and Cannot Do

The 407 visa comes with specific conditions attached. Breaching these conditions can result in visa cancellation.

Condition 8102 — Primary Applicant

You must not engage in any work in Australia other than work directly related to your approved training program. You cannot take a second job, work casually on the side, or do any work outside your training plan. This is non-negotiable.

Condition 8104 — Secondary Applicants

Family members (your partner or dependants) included in your application are limited to 40 hours of work per fortnight while you are in Australia.

Condition 8106 and 8107

Your work must be relevant to the business and tasks specified in your visa application, and you must work only in your nominated job, in your nominated field, for your nominated employer.

Can You Extend the 407 Visa?

No. You cannot extend a Subclass 407 visa. If you need more time, you would need to apply for a new visa. However, the total time you can spend in Australia under the 407 visa should not exceed 4 years in total across all applications.

Can You Leave and Re-enter Australia?

Yes. You can leave and re-enter Australia while your 407 visa is valid. The stay period for applicants outside Australia when the visa is granted begins from the day you first enter Australia.

Changing Sponsors During Your Training

Life happens, and sometimes your original training arrangement doesn’t work out. Here’s what to do in each scenario.

If you want to train with a different organisation while still in Australia, that organisation must first become an approved sponsor and submit a new nomination for you. Once the new nomination is approved, you can train with them for the remaining time on your current visa — without applying for a new visa, as long as the training program purpose remains consistent.

If your training program changes significantly, you will need to submit a new visa application.

If your sponsor ends your training early, notify the Department immediately. You can then try to find a new sponsor to continue. Be prepared to explain why the original training was not completed within the planned timeframe.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Confirm Your Training Type and Eligibility

First, identify which of the three training types applies to your situation. Then verify your occupation is on the relevant list (for Type 2 applicants), confirm you have the required work or study experience, and check your English language proficiency level.

Step 2 — Your Sponsor Applies for Temporary Activities Sponsorship

If your sponsoring organisation is not already an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor, they must apply first. This takes time, so start this step early. The sponsor applies through ImmiAccount and pays the AUD $420 sponsorship fee.

Step 3 — Your Sponsor Lodges a Nomination

Once approved as a sponsor, your organisation submits your nomination. The nomination includes the structured training plan tailored specifically to you. It pays the AUD $170 nomination fee at this stage.

Step 4 — Gather Your Documents

While the nomination is being assessed, start gathering your documents. You will typically need:

Valid passport
English language test results (IELTS or equivalent showing 4.5 average)
Evidence of relevant work or study experience (employment records, reference letters, academic transcripts)
Structured training plan (provided by your sponsor)
Health insurance policy documents
Health examination results if requested
Police clearances if required
Australian Values Statement (if 18 or older)
Evidence of genuine temporary entrant status (ties to home country, return ticket, etc.)

Step 5 — Lodge Your Visa Application Online

You lodge your visa application online through ImmiAccount — whether you’re in Australia or overseas. Pay the visa application fee of AUD $430 for the primary applicant at lodgment.

Step 6 — Await Decision

Processing times vary considerably. Based on current Department of Home Affairs data, around 50% of 407 visa applications are processed within 3 months, with 90% processed within 9 months. A complete, accurate, well-documented application processes faster. An incomplete one sits in the queue longer — or gets refused.

If your current visa is about to expire while you wait, speak with a migration agent. In some cases, it may be possible to arrange a bridging visa to cover your lawful stay while your 407 application is assessed.

Does the 407 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

This is one of the most common questions I get about this visa. The direct answer is no — the 407 is a temporary visa and does not itself lead to permanent residency.

However, it can still play an important supporting role in your overall migration journey. While on the 407 visa, you can build Australian work experience in your field, strengthen your skills, improve your English, and accumulate the qualifications and evidence that support a future visa application — whether that’s a Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), a Subclass 482 leading to a 186, or another pathway altogether.

In fact, I’ve seen skilled professionals use the 407 visa strategically. They complete their training, build relationships with Australian employers and professional bodies, and then transition to a more permanent pathway from a much stronger position than they would have been in from overseas.

That said, be cautious of anyone who presents the 407 as a “pathway to PR” without explaining the steps in between. The connection is indirect and depends heavily on your occupation, your skills, and your individual circumstances.

Ready to Apply for the Training Visa? Contact Abbasi Migration

The 407 visa looks straightforward on the surface. However, the structured training plan requirement, the sponsor obligations, the post-March 2026 nomination requirement, and the genuine temporary entrant assessment all require careful attention. Getting any one of these wrong — or submitting a training plan that doesn’t meet the Department’s expectations — leads to delays or refusals.

Touseef Abbasi (MARN: 2518930) at Abbasi Migration has helped professionals across healthcare, engineering, trades, and management navigate Australian temporary and permanent visa applications. We review your eligibility honestly, help your sponsor prepare a compliant training plan, and manage your entire application from lodgment to decision.

📍 Melbourne Office: Office 3669, Ground Floor, 470 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
📍 Wollert Office: 11 Farmley Way, Wollert VIC 3750
📞 Phone/WhatsApp: +61 418 841 225
📧 Email: info@abbasimigration.com

FAQs

Can I work on the 407 visa outside my training program?

No. Condition 8102 strictly limits you to work related to your approved training only. You cannot take a second job, freelance on the side, or do any work unrelated to your training plan. Breaching this condition can lead to visa cancellation.

Do I need to find my own sponsor, or does the Department arrange one?

You need to find your own sponsor. The Department does not match applicants with sponsors. Your sponsor must be an organisation lawfully operating in Australia that is approved — or willing to become approved — as a Temporary Activities Sponsor.

How long does 407 visa processing take

Processing times vary. Approximately 50% of applications are decided within 3 months, and 90% within 9 months. A complete, accurate application with all required documents processes faster than an incomplete one.

Can I apply for a second 407 visa?

Yes, you can apply for another 407 visa if you meet the eligibility criteria and have a new training opportunity. However, your total stay in Australia across all 407 visas should generally not exceed 4 years.

Can I include my family on the 407 visa?

Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in your application. Family members over 18 are limited to 40 hours of work per fortnight while in Australia.

What English level do I need for the 407 visa?

You need Functional English — an average IELTS score of at least 4.5 across all four bands, or the equivalent in PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge English. This is lower than the Competent English requirement for skilled and employer-sponsored permanent visas.

Is the 407 visa the same as a student visa?

No. The 407 is a workplace-based training visa — at least 70% of your training must occur on the job, not in a classroom. A student visa (Subclass 500) is for formal full-time study at an Australian educational institution. They serve very different purposes.

What happens if my sponsor cancels my training early?

You must notify the Department of Home Affairs immediately. You can then try to find another approved sponsor to continue your training. However, you should be prepared to explain why the original training arrangement ended before completion.