The Australian Government is updating the Training (subclass 407) visa application rules. This is to ensure the program delivers real occupational training and skills development.
Starting from 11 March 2026, new applicants will need to meet specific conditions. They must do this before they can lodge a valid Training visa application:
– Their sponsor must already be approved as a temporary activities sponsor. This means the sponsor’s approval must be granted before the visa application is made.
– Their sponsor must have an approved Training visa nomination for them. Unless the sponsor is an Australian Commonwealth agency, they are exempt from the nomination requirement.
In simple terms: you cannot lodge a visa application and wait for approvals later. Previously, applicants could submit the visa application at the same time as sponsorship and nomination applications. They only needed approvals before the visa was granted. From 11 March 2026, the approvals must exist before the visa application is considered valid.
What this looks like in practice:
– Example: If an employer plans to start a structured workplace-based placement on July 1, the employer should lodge the sponsorship and nomination well in advance. For example, two months before. This way, the sponsor approval and nomination are in place before the applicant applies for the 407 visa.
Why this matters:
– It reduces the chance of invalid visa applications being lodged. It stops applicants from being left without an appropriate visa while waiting for sponsor/nomination processing. It also helps ensure the 407 visa is used for genuine occupational training and professional development rather than as a way to extend temporary stay without real training.
Practical tip: before you submit any visa application, check the sponsor’s approval and the status of the Training visa nomination. If you’re unsure whether approvals are in place, contact your sponsor or check the Department of Home Affairs systems for the latest information. If you need help interpreting the rules or timing your application, consider getting migration advice so you don’t submit an invalid 407 visa application. Sponsors should lodge the sponsorship and nomination applications well before the proposed training start date to allow time for processing.
• Sponsors need to obtain approval and lodge an approved nomination ahead of the applicant’s visa lodgement. Plan timelines so approvals are in place before the applicant applies for the Training visa.
What applicants in Australia should do while waiting
• Hold a valid visa: If you’re in Australia while the sponsor and nomination are being processed, make sure you remain on a valid visa. Common options that may cover you while you wait include visitor visas, student visas, or other temporary visas you already hold — but check conditions carefully.
• Bridging visas: A Bridging visa in support of a 407 visa application is only available once a valid Training visa application has been lodged. That means you won’t automatically get bridging visa status simply by having a sponsorship or nomination application in progress.
Important: From 11 March 2026, Training visa applications submitted through departmental systems will be invalid if the sponsor and the Training visa nomination have not already been approved. The Department will notify applicants when an application is not valid and will refund the visa application charge in those cases.
Practical steps and tips:
• Check sponsor status early — ask your prospective sponsor to confirm their approval and the nomination outcome before you apply.
• Keep documentation of approvals and correspondence.
• If your current visa is about to expire, consider your options well before the expiry date — seek migration advice if you’re unsure which temporary visa to apply for.
Example timeline:
• Sponsor lodges sponsorship and nomination: April 1
• Sponsor approval and nomination granted: May 15 (example) — only after this point should the applicant lodge the 407 visa application to be valid.
These steps reduce the risk of lodging an invalid visa application. They help ensure applicants remain lawful while waiting for approvals. Applicants may need to leave Australia or apply for a different visa while they wait for the sponsorship and/or Training visa nomination to be approved. If your current visa will expire before the sponsor and nomination are finalised, you should plan now — overstaying can cause serious immigration consequences and may affect future visa applications.
Options to consider while you wait:
• Apply for another temporary visa: You might need a visitor visa, student visa, or other temporary visa to stay in Australia. Each visa has its own rules, like work rights and health checks. Make sure you understand these before you apply.
• Leave and re-enter: Some people leave Australia and then come back to apply for a visa. This is good if you can’t get another visa. But, remember the travel rules and quarantine.
• Seek migration advice: Changing your visa or leaving can affect your job and future in Australia. If you’re unsure, talk to a migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs.
When the sponsor is a Commonwealth agency, there are special rules. Agencies must be approved before you apply for a Training visa. But, they don’t need to nominate you. Check with your agency if they are approved before you apply for your 407 visa.
Practical tips for applicants and family members
• Check timelines: Ask your sponsor how long it takes to process. Plan ahead, at least several months.
• Consider family members: If family members are applying too, plan their needs and timing.
• Keep records: Save all sponsorship and nomination documents. They might be needed later.
Example scenario
• Sponsor lodges sponsorship: March 1
• Sponsor approval granted: April 20 — apply for your 407 visa after approval. Otherwise, your application will be invalid.
These steps help ensure your 407 training goes smoothly. Why the change is happening:
The Training visa helps people learn real skills in Australia. It’s for professional development, not just to stay longer.
These new rules make sure training is real. They check if positions are genuine and if applicants are learning on the job.
How this helps applicants and employers:
• Protects training integrity: Sponsorship and nomination checks make sure training is real.
• Reduces exploitation risk: Clear checks help avoid bad working conditions or false promises.
• Supports professional development pathways: The change helps real training that improves skills and job prospects.
Example to illustrate the difference:
• Genuine placement: An employer sponsors you for real training with a plan and supervisor. They get approval before you apply.
• Problematic use: An arrangement with no clear training or approval is what the policy change stops.
In short, the change keeps the 407 visa for real training and development. It also stops misuse. For more info, check the Department of Home Affairs or get migration advice.
What you should do next
These changes start on 11 March 2026. If you’re applying, sponsoring, or planning to sponsor, follow these easy steps. This will help you avoid delays or an invalid 407 visa application:
- Check sponsor approval first — do not lodge your Training visa application until the sponsor has temporary activities sponsor approval.
- Confirm the Training visa nomination is approved (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth agency) before you apply.
- Maintain a valid visa while you wait — explore temporary visa options or seek migration advice if your current visa will expire.
- Keep records of sponsorship and nomination confirmation, communications, and timelines.
- If unsure, contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent for guidance on the application process and how this affects family members and possible pathways to permanent residency.
Quick checklist (for applicants and sponsors): sponsor approved — nomination approved — applicant lodges valid 407 visa application. Following these steps protects applicants, supports genuine occupational training and professional development, and reduces the risk of lodging an invalid visa application.
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