Last updated:  1 November 2026

Australia’s Training visa (subclass 407) is for genuine occupational training and professional development—not a general work visa or away to extend a temporary stay. Two major reforms in 2026 have changed how applications must be prepared. The first took effect on 11 March 2026. The second has been made into law but does not commence until 12 November 2026.[1–3]

For trainees already in Australia, the distinction between the rules operating today and those taking effect on 12 November is particularly important. An approved sponsor and, in most cases, an approved training nomination are now required before a valid visa application can be made. From 12 November, applicants will generally also need to apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted. [1–3]

What is the subclass 407 Training visa?

The subclass 407 visa allows eligible people to undertake structured workplace-based occupational training linked to their occupation,studies or expertise, or an eligible professional development program. It maybe granted for up to two years. It is not a permanent residence visa and is not intended to fill ordinary labour shortages or provide unrestricted ongoing employment. Work performed in Australia must comply with applicable minimum pay requirements. [1]

How have the Training visa rules changed over time?

2016: A dedicated Training visa replaced the former subclass 402 arrangements

On 19 November 2016, the former Training and Research visa (subclass 402) closed to new applications. Subclass 407 became the dedicated route for eligible occupational training and classroom-based professional development, while other temporary activities moved to subclass 408. [4]

7 August 2025: Accepted English tests and scores were updated

Home Affairs changed the English-language tests and score framework on 7 August 2025. Subclass 407 applicants generally need to demonstrate functional English, although certain passport, education, or other recognized evidence can satisfy the requirement. Test scores and the applicable validity period depend on when the test was taken. The change did not turn subclass 407 into a skilled-work visa. [1, 5]

11 March 2026: Sponsorship and nomination must be approved before the visa application

Under the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026, a new subclass 407 application can be validly lodged only after the sponsoring organisation has been approved as a temporary activities sponsor and, unless the sponsor is an Australian Commonwealth agency, the individual training nomination has been approved. Before 11 March,the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications could be lodged concurrently,provided the approvals were in place before visa grant. The March reform changed the order of the process. [2]

This matters for people whose current visa is nearing expiry. Lodging a sponsorship or nomination application is not the same as lodging a valid Training visa application, and it does not itself give the trainee a bridging visa. Employers should allow adequate time for the separate assessment stages. [2, 3]

12 November 2026: A new offshore application and grant rule begins

The Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Application Requirements) Regulations 2026 were registered on 30 October 2026 and commence on 12 November 2026. For applications made from that date, the general rule is that the applicant must be outside Australia both when applying and when the visa is granted. Home Affairs says an onshore application made when offshore lodgement is required will be invalid—even if ImmiAccount permits submission. [3, 6]

The legislation allows the Minister to specify classes of people who may apply and be granted the visa onshore through a separate legislative instrument. Applicants must not assume an exception exists without checking an instrument actually in force and applicable to their circumstances.Home Affairs’ published general guidance is to plan for offshore lodgement and grant. [3, 6]

What happens to applications lodged before 12 November 2026?

A valid subclass 407 application submitted before 12 November 2026 will continue to be assessed under the location rules applying when it was lodged. This does not remove the sponsorship and nomination approval requirements that have applied since 11 March 2026. Filing an invalidor incomplete application before the deadline will not secure transitional treatment. [2, 3]

Who may qualify for a Training visa?

Home Affairs recognises three main occupational training purposes, and the nomination criteria depend on the category: [1, 7]

·        Training required for occupational registration,membership or licensing where this is mandatory to work in the occupation in Australia or the applicant’s home country.

·        Training to improve skills in an eligible occupation. This stream of training generally requires relevant prior study or employment equivalent to at least 12 months full-time experience during the 24 months immediately before the nomination is lodged.

·        Capacity building overseas, including overseas qualification requirements, supported training and eligible professional development programs for overseas managerial or professional employees.

A credible training plan should identify the trainee's existing skills, the specific gaps to be addressed, the learning activities,supervision, time frame and how the proposed training differs from ordinary employment. The sponsor must meet its obligations and the intended training must satisfy the relevant nomination requirements. [1, 2, 7]

Can a Student visa or Temporary Graduate visa holder move to subclass 407?

Potentially, but only if the person meets all subclass 407 requirements and any limitations attached to their current immigration status.A qualification, job offer or employer willingness to sponsor is not enough by itself. From 11 March 2026, sponsorship and nomination approval have been essential before the visa application; from 12 November 2026, most applicants in Australia must leave to apply and be outside Australia for grant. Students must also separately consider any restrictions on applying for another student visa; the rules are not interchangeable. [1–3]

Anyone whose current visa may expire before a sponsorship or nomination decision should obtain advice on lawful-status and travel options before taking action. An offshore 407 application does not generate a linked Australian bridging visa. [3]

Can partners and children be included?

Eligible members of the family unit can be included in the subclass 407 application. After a 407 visa has been granted, family members may also be eligible to apply as subsequent entrants, subject to the nomination,sponsor support, health, character and other relevant requirements. This differs from the recent Student visa subsequent-entrant restrictions. The new 12 November location requirements must also be considered for family applications. [1, 3]

Family members granted subclass 407 visas are generally limited to 40 hours of work per fortnight; individual visa conditions should bechecked in VEVO. [1]

What other eligibility requirements apply?

In addition to a genuine, approved training arrangement,applicants generally need to demonstrate functional English, financial capacity, adequate health insurance, health and character compliance, and a genuine intention to undertake the approved temporary training. The applicant is usually at least 18 years old. The current Department page lists the visa application charge from AUD 535 for a primary applicant, with additional family charges and limited concessions; charges should be checked before lodgement. [1, 5]

What does the 12 November offshore change mean in practice?

A person currently in Australia should check their visa expiry date before deciding whether or when to travel. Home Affairs advises applicants to have sponsorship and nomination approvals, the relevant documents, and any appropriate health examination arrangements in place before leaving.Someone may enter Australia on another valid visa while the offshore application is being processed, but must comply with that visa’s conditions and return offshore for grant where the location requirement applies. Processing times cannot be guaranteed. [3]

Importantly, an invalid onshore application may create serious consequences for visa status. Home Affairs says a decision that a visa application is invalid cannot be merits reviewed; this should not be confused with the separate review position for a refusal of a valid application. [3, 6]

What should sponsors and applicants do now?

1.       Confirm that the activity is genuine occupational training rather than an ordinary jobor labour-hire arrangement.

2.      Identify the correct training category and prepare an individualised, evidence-based training plan.

3.      Check that Temporary Activities Sponsorship and the training nomination are approved before lodging the visa application.

4.      Check current visa conditions, expiry dates, any application bars, and the upcoming 12 November offshore requirements before travel or lodgement.

5.      Budget for processing delays, travel, health insurance, living costs and family arrangements; do not assume a bridging visa will arise from an offshore application.

6.      Review official guidance and any exemption instruments in force on the actual application date.

Our assessment: genuine training is still possible, but early planning is essential.

The Training visa remains available for eligible skill-building programs, but the 2026 reforms have narrowed its usefulness as a last-minute onshore option. Requiring prior sponsorship and nomination approval may support closer scrutiny of training arrangements, while offshore application and grant requirements can increase cost and disruption for legitimate trainees. These are practical implications of the rules—not evidence that the reforms have already achieved their stated integrity objectives. [2, 3,6]

For employers, the strongest applications will be builtaround a real training need and a properly documented program, rather than aposition that simply needs an additional worker. For applicants, timing andlawful visa status are as important as eligibility for the training itself.

References

1. Department of Home Affairs,Training visa (subclass 407). Official source

2. Migration Amendment (TrainingVisas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026, F2026L00221, explanatory statement. Official source

3. Department of Home Affairs,Changes to Training visa application rules (subclass 407). Official source

4. Department of Home Affairs,Repealed Training and Research visa (subclass 402). Official source

5. Department of Home Affairs,Functional English. Official source

6. Migration Amendment (TrainingVisas—Application Requirements) Regulations 2026, F2026L01449. Official source

7. Department of Home Affairs,Occupational training types for Training visa (subclass 407). Official source

RMA Disclaimer

This article is provided by Vista Migration and Education Services for general information only and does not constitute personalised migration or legal advice. The information has been reviewed against Australian Government sources as at 1 November 2026. The offshore application and grantchanges described above are scheduled to commence on 12 November 2026 and must not be treated as already operating on the date of this article. Eligibility,application validity and any exemptions depend on the legislation and instruments in force at the relevant time and on individual circumstances.Obtain advice from a Registered Migration Agent before making decisions about sponsorship, nomination, visa applications or travel.

Md Obaydul Huq | Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1804551) |Vista Migration and Education Services

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