Changes to Training visa (subclass 407)

​​​The Australian Government is updating Training (subclass 407) visa application requirements to ensure the program supports genuine skills development as intended.

From 11 March 2026, in addition to other validity requirements, all new applicants for a Training visa will need to wait for the following before they can make a valid Training visa application:

• their sponsor must be approved as a temporary activities sponsor, and

• their sponsor must have an approved Training visa nomination for them, unless the sponsor is a Commonwealth agency.

Previously it was possible to validly lodge the visa application at the same time as the sponsorship and Training visa nomination application. You just needed approval before the Training visa could be granted.

Sponsors should lodge the sponsorship and nomination applications well before the proposed training start date.

Applicants in Australia must ensure that they hold a valid visa while they wait for the department to process the sponsorship and Training visa nomination. Applicants will only be able to get a Bridging visa for their Training visa application once they lodge a valid Training visa application.

Training visa applications submitted through departmental systems after 11 March 2026 will not be valid if the sponsor and Training visa nomination have not yet been approved. The department will notify the applicant that the application is not valid and refund the visa application charge.

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.

Commonwealth agency sponsors

Separate arrangements apply for Australian Commonwealth agency sponsors. Commonwealth agencies must get approval as temporary activities sponsors before the applicant lodges a Training visa application. Commonwealth agencies don’t need a nomination.

Why the change is happening

The Training visa is for people who want to improve their skills through structured, workplace based training in Australia.

The changes support the Government’s commitment to reduce 'permanent temporariness’, where individuals who may not meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residence extend their stay through multiple temporary visa applications. This situation can make them vulnerable to exploitation.