Subclass 407 Training Visa Explained: Sponsors, Duration & English

The subclass 407 lets sponsored workers come to Australia for structured, workplace-based training rather than ordinary employment. This covers the recognised training types, who can sponsor a 407, how long it lasts, and the English and next-step rules that apply. Figures as at September 2026.

Read the full guide, with official sources →

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Chapters

  1. 0:00 The subclass 407
  2. 0:14 Three recognised
  3. 0:26 Most common use:
  4. 0:45 Sponsors must be approved
  5. 1:03 A vague nomination
  6. 1:16 Maximum stay:
  7. 1:29 Tied to one sponsor,
  8. 1:43 Functional English:
  9. 2:01 No direct PR pathway —
  10. 2:18 The most common mistake:
  11. 2:31 Where to read more

Transcript

If you're researching the subclass 407, here's the key fact: it's a training visa, not a work visa — Home Affairs says it's not meant to fill workforce shortages.

There are three recognised types of training: training required for occupational registration or licensing, training to improve skills in an eligible occupation, and training for capacity building overseas.

The registration and licensing category is the one most commonly used — by overseas-trained doctors completing a supervised internship, nurses completing supervised practice for AHPRA registration, engineers working toward Engineers Australia membership, and tradespeople working toward an Australian licence.

Not every organisation can sponsor a 407. The sponsor must be an approved temporary activities sponsor — a company, a government agency, an international organisation, or a sporting or religious organisation. A trust can't sponsor directly; the trustee has to apply instead.

The sponsor's nomination has to describe the training in detail — the occupation, the purpose, and how and where it happens. A vague or generic description is a common reason nominations get refused.

Home Affairs may grant the 407 for a stay of up to 2 years. There's no extension — if more training is genuinely needed, you apply for a brand new subclass 407.

During the visa, you can only work in the training role with the sponsor named in your nomination. Change organisations, or change the training program, and a new nomination — usually a new visa application — is required.

Functional English can be met several ways: a passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK or the US, two years of full-time study taught in English, or an approved test within the last 12 months — an IELTS average of 4.5, or a CELPIP General score of 5.

The 407 has no direct pathway to permanent residence built in. But for healthcare and engineering professionals, finishing the training often means they're now registered to work in Australia — opening the door to a subclass 482 or subclass 186, or a points-tested visa.

The most common reason a 407 nomination fails is a vague description of the training itself. A migration agent experienced in these nominations can help map the pathway from training through to permanent residence.

The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.

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