Subclass 407 Training Visa Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

What Is the 407 Training Visa Used For?

The Subclass 407 Training visa covers two distinct purposes: Occupational Training: for overseas nationals who need workplace-based training to improve their skills in their current occupation — typically for a role back in their home country sponsored by a multi-national company or training arrangement. This stream is used when the training genuinely cannot be undertaken in the home country and must occur in Australia at an Australian workplace. The other purpose is Professional Development: for overseas nationals who are already skilled in an occupation but need to undertake workplace training to satisfy Australian registration, licensing, or professional membership requirements. This stream is commonly used by overseas-trained doctors, nurses, engineers, and tradespeople who have had their skills assessed and need supervised workplace hours or a structured training program to meet Australian regulatory body requirements before they can practise independently. Common examples include: International medical graduates completing a supervised internship; Overseas nurses completing supervised practice for AHPRA registration; Engineers completing professional development for Engineers Australia chartered membership; Tradespeople completing trade recognition assessments.

Who Can Sponsor a 407 Visa Applicant

Not everyone can sponsor a 407 visa — the sponsor must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) or a government agency, education institution, or non-government organisation operating in Australia. A company cannot simply decide to take on a 407 trainee — they must first apply to be an approved SBS through the Department of Home Affairs, if they are not already one. Once approved, the sponsor nominates the overseas national for a specific training position, specifying: the occupation being trained; the training plan — a written document describing the training program, learning outcomes, supervision arrangements, and how the training relates to the visa holder's work back home or their Australian registration requirements; the duration of the training program. The training plan is a critical document — poorly prepared training plans are a common cause of 407 refusal. A migration agent experienced in employer-sponsored visas can assist with writing a compliant training plan.

Duration and Conditions of the 407 Visa

The Subclass 407 Training visa is granted for the duration of the training program, up to a maximum of 2 years. Extensions are not available for the same training program — if additional training is genuinely required, a new 407 application is required with a revised training plan. During the visa, the holder can: work for the sponsor in the specified training role; travel in and out of Australia; bring eligible family members (secondary applicants) who receive work rights. The 407 holder can only work in the specific training role and with the sponsor named in the nomination. They cannot take on secondary employment or change employers. This is an important distinction from the 482 visa — the 407 is strictly tied to the training program and sponsor.

English Language Requirements

407 visa applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at the level specified for their stream: Occupational Training stream: vocational English is required — IELTS 5.0 in each band, or equivalent. Professional Development stream: may require a higher standard depending on the occupation and the professional body's requirements. For healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses), AHPRA typically requires a higher English standard than the minimum 407 visa requirement — and the AHPRA requirement takes precedence in practice. Always check the requirements of the relevant professional registration body in addition to the 407 visa English requirement. An exemption from the English language requirement may apply to nationals of English-speaking countries (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland) and to applicants who have completed at least 5 years of full-time study conducted in English.

After the 407: What Are the Next Steps?

The 407 is a temporary visa with no direct pathway to permanent residence. However, it frequently positions people well for subsequent visa applications. For healthcare and engineering professionals, completing the supervised training required for Australian registration means they are now fully registered to work in Australia — which opens the door to employer-sponsored visas (482 or 186) or points-tested pathways if they meet the points threshold. For corporate trainees, the 407 may be a precursor to a return to Australia on a 482 as an experienced intra-company transferee. If the 407 holder enters into a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident during their stay, the partner visa pathway is also available. A migration agent can map out the full pathway strategy from 407 through to permanent residence, particularly for healthcare professionals who represent a significant portion of 407 visa users.

Can the employer pay the 407 visa holder a salary?

Yes. 407 training visa holders can be paid for their work during training. The employer must pay market salary rates for the occupation — underpaying trainees is a visa condition violation and a potential Fair Work Act breach.

What is a training plan and how detailed does it need to be?

The training plan is a written document submitted with the nomination that describes the training activities, weekly schedule, supervision arrangements, learning outcomes, and how the training relates to the visa holder's occupation. It needs to be genuinely detailed — the Department will assess whether it constitutes real workplace training or is simply a mechanism to fill a labour shortage. Generic training plans are frequently refused. A migration agent experienced in 407 nominations can help draft a compliant training plan.

Is the 407 the same as the 482?

No. The 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa is for filling genuine skills shortages — it is a work visa, not a training visa. The 407 is specifically for structured training programs. The 407 holder is being trained; the 482 holder is working. You cannot use a 407 to plug a skills shortage.

Can a doctor use the 407 to complete their intern year in Australia?

Yes — this is one of the most common uses of the 407 Training visa. International medical graduates completing supervised internships for AHPRA general registration, or doctors completing supervised practice for specialist fellowship examinations, commonly use the 407. The sponsor is typically the hospital or health service.