407 Training Visa Australia: What Employers and Applicants Need to Know
The Subclass 407 Training Visa is often misunderstood. It is not a standard work visa. It is a temporary visa designed for people who need structured workplace-based training to improve their skills in their occupation, area of study or professional field. The Department of Home Affairs states that this visa allows a person to take part in workplace-based occupational training activities, and it may be granted for a stay of up to 2 years.
Types of Subclass 407 Visas
The 407 Training Visa Australia pathway allows an eligible applicant to participate in occupational training in Australia. The training must be structured and appropriate for the applicant’s background.
The Department of Home Affairs outlines three broad types of occupational training for the 407 visa:
| Type of 407 Training | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Occupational training required for registration | Training needed to obtain registration, membership or licensing in Australia or overseas. |
| Occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation | Structured workplace-based training to improve skills in an eligible occupation. This is commonly used where the applicant already has relevant experience and needs further training. |
| Occupational training for capacity building overseas | Training connected to overseas qualification requirements, government-supported training or professional development that benefits the applicant’s career overseas. |
407 Visa vs 482 Visa: What is the difference?
A common mistake is assuming that the 407 visa works like a 482 visa. It does not.
The 482 visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers, while the 407 visa is for occupational training. The Department also notes that employers may use the Skills in Demand visa where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
| Feature | 407 Training Visa | 482 Skills in Demand Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Structured workplace-based training | Skilled work for an approved employer |
| Focus | Skills development and occupational training | Filling a skilled position in the business |
| Type of role | Must be training-focused, not an ongoing employment role | Must be a genuine skilled position |
| Employer involvement | Employer sponsors and nominates the applicant for a training program | Employer sponsors and nominates the applicant for a skilled role |
| Training plan required? | Yes, a detailed training plan is required | No, but the position and nomination must meet visa requirements |
| Salary requirement | No minimum salary requirement under the 407 visa because it is a training visa | Salary and market salary requirements apply |
| Visa length | Up to 2 years | Usually up to 4 years, depending on the stream and circumstances |
| Can it lead directly to PR? | No direct PR pathway | May lead to PR through the 186 TRT pathway if requirements are met |
| Best suited for | Applicants needing structured training to improve skills | Skilled workers filling an employer’s workforce need |
Main 407 Visa Requirements (For Applicants)
For the 407 visa, the applicant and sponsor must meet specific requirements.
The applicant generally needs to:
| Requirement | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Age | You must usually be at least 18 years old, unless exceptional circumstances apply. |
| Sponsorship | You must have an approved sponsor who has agreed to sponsor you for the training visa. |
| Nomination | You generally need to be nominated for an approved occupational training program. |
| Relevant experience | For some training types, you may need at least 12 months of relevant experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field. |
| English | You must meet the required English language requirement. |
| Health insurance | You must hold adequate health insurance for your stay in Australia. |
| Temporary stay | You must show that you intend to stay temporarily for the purpose of the visa. |
| Health and character | You must meet the relevant health and character requirements. |
Main 407 Visa Requirements (For Employers)
The employer must be able to show that the arrangement is a genuine occupational training opportunity.
| Main 407 Visa Requirement for Employers | What this means |
|---|---|
| Approved Temporary Activities Sponsor | The employer generally needs to be approved as a Temporary Activities Sponsor before sponsoring someone for a Subclass 407 Training Visa. |
| Lawfully operating organisation | The sponsor must meet the relevant approval criteria, including being an organisation that is lawfully operating, or another eligible sponsor type recognised under the Migration Regulations. |
| Approved nomination | The employer must have an approved nomination for the applicant’s occupational training program before the visa applicant can apply. |
| Genuine occupational training program | The nominated program must be for occupational training, not simply ordinary employment. The applicant must be participating in a training program connected to the purpose of the 407 visa. |
| Training must fit an approved training type | The training must fall within one of the recognised occupational training categories, such as training required for registration, training to improve skills in an eligible occupation, or training for capacity building overseas. |
| Training details must be provided | The nomination should clearly identify details such as the employer, training location, training arrangements, and how the training will be delivered. |
| Appropriate supervision and structure | The training should be structured and appropriate to the applicant’s background, skills and training needs. |
| No adverse information | The Department must be satisfied there is no relevant adverse information about the sponsor or associated persons, unless it is reasonable to disregard that information. |
| Comply with sponsor obligations | Approved sponsors must comply with sponsorship obligations, including record keeping, providing information when requested, cooperating with inspectors, and ensuring the sponsored person participates in the nominated program. |
| Nomination approval must remain valid | A nomination approval can cease in certain circumstances, including withdrawal, sponsor approval ending, cancellation, visa grant, or after the relevant validity period. |
The 3 Step Subclass 407 Process
The 407 Training Visa usually involves three main steps.
Step 1: Sponsorship
Before anything else, the business usually needs to become an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor. The Department confirms that an approved temporary activities sponsor is needed to sponsor someone for certain activities or streams of subclass 403, 408 or 407 visas.
At this stage, the Department will consider matters such as whether the business is lawfully operating and whether it can meet its sponsorship obligations.
Step 2: Nomination
After sponsorship, the employer submits a nomination for the applicant’s occupational training program.
This is where the employer explains:
- what skills will be taught
- how the training will be delivered
- who will supervise the training
- where the training will occur
- why the training is appropriate for the applicant’s background
- how the role is training-focused, not simply an ongoing job
The regulations require the sponsor to provide information identifying the employer, the training location and relevant family members included in the visa process. The Department must also be satisfied that the nominee will participate in the nominated program.
Step 3: Visa application
Once the nomination is lodged, the applicant can submit the 407 visa application. The visa cannot be granted unless the required sponsorship and nomination requirements are satisfied.
The applicant must also meet the relevant English, health insurance, temporary stay, health and character requirements.
Can family members be included in a 407 visa?
Yes, eligible family members may be able to be included as secondary applicants.
However, their work rights are limited. Under the Migration Regulations, secondary 407 visa applicants are subject to visa condition 8104. Condition 8104 states that the holder must not work for more than 40 hours a fortnight while in Australia.
This is an important point because the 40-hour limit applies to secondary 407 visa holders. It should not be confused with student visa work arrangements.
Does the 407 Training Visa lead to PR?
OIn its own, the 407 Training Visa does not lead directly to permanent residency.
However, it may form part of a longer-term strategy in the right circumstances. For example, depending on the applicant’s occupation, experience, employer support and future eligibility, a person may later move into a 482 Skills in Demand visa and then potentially a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. The Department describes the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream as a permanent visa pathway for skilled workers nominated by their employer.
If employer sponsorship is not available, other skilled visa options may also be considered, such as the 189 Skilled Independent visa, 190 Skilled Nominated visa or 491 Skilled Work Regional visa. These are points-tested pathways, and SkillSelect is used to submit an Expression of Interest for these visas.
Need Help with the 407 Training Visa Australia?
The 407 Training Visa Australia pathway can be valuable for both employers and applicants when the purpose is genuine workplace-based training. It can help applicants gain skills, experience and exposure in their occupation, while allowing employers to provide structured training.
However, because the visa is highly regulated, it is important to get the structure right from the beginning. The training plan, sponsorship, nomination and applicant eligibility all need to align.
If you are not sure whether the 407 Training Visa is the right option for you or your employee, it is worth getting advice before lodging.