What is a Training Visa?
The Training Visa (Subclass 407) allows individuals to temporarily stay in Australia for professional or workplace-based occupational training. This visa helps meet licensing or registration requirements and improves skills in a specific field. It is valid for up to 2 years and prohibits work outside of the sponsor’s provided training or employment. The application process can be completed online both inside and outside of Australia, and family members can also be included in the application. However, this visa is not intended for those solely seeking employment in Australia and those should consider the General Skilled Migration Visa instead. Before applying, an eligible sponsor company must nominate the individual for the training program, which includes three stages: sponsorship, nomination, and visa application.
Subclass 407 Nomination Types
The Subclass 407 visa offers three options for nomination that an applicant can apply for based on their sponsor’s requirements or preferences. These are:
- Required For Registration: To obtain occupational membership, registration, or licensing, workplace-based training is mandatory. This is necessary to work in the chosen occupation in Australia or the applicant’s home country.
- Improving Skills: Occupational training to enhance skills is a structured, workplace-based program that targets individuals with recent and relevant prior experience in the field of expertise. This can include at least 12 months of employment or study experience in an occupation that is eligible for skilled workers.
- Capacity Building Overseas: Occupational training for capacity building abroad is intended for applicants who need training as part of their overseas studies, such as students currently enrolled in a foreign educational institution, or those supported by an Australian or overseas government organization. This type of training is also available for individuals who are nominated by an overseas organization for professional programs that involve face-to-face teaching in a classroom or similar environment, or for management-level employees of an overseas organization.
Eligibility Criteria for the Applicant
The eligibility criteria for all three streams are similar, with the main differences being the length of stay in Australia, the skill requirements, and the cost of application. Other common eligibility criteria for any stream include:
- The applicant must be nominated by a recognized Australian company (unless it is a Commonwealth agency).
- The applicant must be invited by a Commonwealth agency for the visa.
- The applicant must have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily.
- The applicant should be over 18 years old unless exempt.
- Must fulfil the health and character requirements.
- The applicant should meet additional requirements or conditions that may apply when lodging the visa application.
- The applicant must fulfil the specific requirements of the chosen stream.
- The applicant should prove English language proficiency.
- The applicant must submit valid proof of financial support and,
- The applicant must provide evidence of health insurance for themselves and any accompanying family members.
Eligibility Requirement For Sponsors
As an employer with a legitimate business that needs a trainee worker for your company, you may be able to sponsor an overseas trainee for a training visa. However, you must first meet certain requirements before sponsoring an employee.
- Be an organization operating lawfully in Australia, a government agency or a foreign government agency.
- Provide the occupational training directly unless an exemption applies.
- Have no unfavorable information identified about you or any other person associated with you unless it is reasonable for the Immigration Department to ignore.
- Have the ability to comply with all the sponsorship obligations.
Eligibility Criteria For Nominating Employers
- For the Nomination Employers, the eligibility criteria is:
- Be an approved temporary activity sponsor.
- The trainee must be on the skilled occupation list.
- have submitted an application to become an approved temporary activity sponsor.