For overseas workers, students and professionals undertaking workplace-based occupational training, professional development or workplace-based research in Australia.
The Subclass 407 Training visa allows overseas workers, students and professionals to come to Australia for workplace-based occupational training, professional development, or research. Unlike the Subclass 482 (which fills labour shortages), the 407 visa is specifically focused on training and skills development.
The 407 visa is commonly used by employers who want to train overseas staff in Australian workplace practices, by overseas professionals seeking to enhance their skills through Australian workplace experience, and by organisations providing structured training to overseas participants as part of international exchange or development programs.
The 407 visa is temporary and is granted for the duration of the approved training program, up to a maximum period (currently up to two years): {{VERIFY: current maximum stay}}. The primary purpose must be training; productive work must be incidental to or part of the training, not its central activity.
The Department of Home Affairs changed the 407 application process in March 2026. The nomination and visa application stages are no longer lodged concurrently — the nomination must be lodged (and, generally, approved) first, with the visa application lodged after. Exact sequencing, transition arrangements and any exceptions: {{VERIFY: detail of the March 2026 sequential-lodgement changes — effective date, any transitional arrangements, any exemptions, and impact on family-member applications}}. See the DHA news article on the changes.
The 407 visa is for genuine training purposes. While participants may perform productive work as part of their training, the primary purpose of their time in Australia must be to acquire or improve skills. If the primary need is for a worker to fill a position, the 482 or 494 visa is the appropriate pathway.
The 407 visa has three distinct streams, each catering to different training situations:
This stream is for overseas professionals who need to complete a period of supervised workplace training in Australia as a mandatory requirement for registration, membership, or licensing in their home country or in Australia. Common examples include medical graduates completing internships, engineers needing supervised practice, and accountants requiring practical experience for professional registration.
The training must be directly required by a professional licensing or registration body, and the applicant must provide evidence that the training is a prerequisite for their registration.
This is the most common stream and is used when an employer wants to provide structured workplace training to an overseas worker to improve their skills in a specific occupation. This stream is appropriate when the training is not required for registration but will enhance the participant's professional capabilities.
The nominating organisation must be an approved temporary activities sponsor and must provide a detailed training plan that outlines the training objectives, activities, supervision arrangements, and expected outcomes.
This stream caters to overseas professionals or students who need to undertake workplace-based research or study in Australia. It is commonly used by PhD students conducting fieldwork, researchers collaborating with Australian institutions, or professionals participating in knowledge exchange programs.
The nominating organisation is typically a university, research institution, or government body that will host the researcher or student.
| Feature | Registration | Improve Skills | Research/Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Mandatory for registration | Skills improvement | Research or fieldwork |
| Typical Duration | {{VERIFY}} | {{VERIFY}} | {{VERIFY}} |
| Sponsor Type | Approved temporary activities sponsor | Approved temporary activities sponsor | Commonwealth agency or approved sponsor |
| Training Plan | Required | Required | Required |
The training plan is the most critical document in a 407 visa application. It must be detailed, structured, and demonstrate that the training is genuine and will benefit the participant. A poorly written training plan is the most common reason for 407 visa refusals.
The Department of Home Affairs closely scrutinises training plans. A vague or poorly structured plan will likely result in refusal. The plan must demonstrate that the training is genuine, structured, and primarily educational rather than a disguised employment arrangement.
The nominating organisation must be an approved temporary activities sponsor. This is a different sponsor type from the Standard Business Sponsor used for 482 and 494 visas.
To become an approved sponsor for 407 visa nominations, the organisation must:
Once approved as a sponsor, the organisation nominates the overseas participant by submitting the training plan, details of the nominated participant, evidence of the training need, and details of the supervision arrangements. The nomination must be lodged online through ImmiAccount.
The visa applicant must meet the following requirements:
The 407 process generally proceeds through these stages. Note the March 2026 change to sequential nomination-then-visa lodgement:
Current 407 fees: {{VERIFY: all current DHA 407 fees — Temporary Activities Sponsorship, nomination application, visa application charge (primary / partner / child / dependent)}}. Government fees for the 407 are generally lower than for the 482 or 494, and there is no Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for 407 nominations. Confirm current figures on the DHA Training 407 page before relying on any figure.
Processing times vary by stage and current Department workload, and have been affected by the March 2026 process changes. Current published targets: {{VERIFY: current processing-time ranges on DHA Visa processing times page}}.
The 407 visa comes with conditions that visa holders must comply with:
The visa holder must complete the training as outlined in the training plan. If the training is completed early or the arrangement changes, the sponsor must notify the Department.
Writing a training plan that meets the Department of Home Affairs' requirements can be challenging. Our team has extensive experience preparing 407 training plans that get approved. We handle the entire process:
A well-written training plan is the difference between approval and refusal for a 407 visa. Our training plans are prepared by experienced migration professionals who understand exactly what the Department looks for in a compliant training plan. We work closely with your organisation to ensure the plan accurately reflects your training program while meeting all regulatory requirements.
The 407 visa holder can perform productive work as part of their training, but the primary purpose must be training. The training plan must clearly show that structured learning is the main activity, with productive work being incidental to or part of the training process.
The 407 visa itself does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. However, the skills and experience gained during training may help the participant qualify for other visa pathways, such as the 482 visa or a skilled independent visa.
Yes. The visa holder's spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included in the application. Family members receive full work rights in Australia.
The 407 visa is granted for the duration of the approved training program, up to a maximum period: {{VERIFY: current maximum stay}}. The visa duration is determined by the training plan submitted with the nomination.
The 482 visa is for skilled workers filling a labour shortage in a specific occupation. The 407 visa is for participants undertaking structured training. The key difference is the purpose: employment (482) vs training (407). The 407 visa has lower fees and fewer requirements but does not offer a PR pathway.
Whether you need a training plan written, help with the nomination process, or guidance on the visa application, our registered migration agent can assist. Contact us today.
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