Training Visa (Subclass 407) Changes 2026: What You Need to Know

The Australian Government has introduced a significant change to how Training Visa (Subclass 407) applications are lodged. If you’re an employer planning to sponsor a trainee, or an applicant currently in Australia on another visa, this update could directly affect your timeline and visa strategy.

Here’s what’s changed, what it means, and what you should do next.

What Changed?

From 11 March 2026, a Subclass 407 visa application can only be validly lodged after both:

1. The employer’s Temporary Activities Sponsorship (TAS) has been approved, and
2. The employer’s Training Visa nomination for the applicant has been approved.

This change was introduced through the Migration Amendment (Training Visas — Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026 and applies to all new applications lodged on or after 11 March 2026.

Applications already lodged before this date will continue to be assessed under the previous rules.

What Was the Old Process?

Previously, employers and applicants could lodge the sponsorship, nomination and visa application at the same time. The sponsorship and nomination just needed to be approved before the visa itself could be granted.

This concurrent approach was widely used because it allowed applicants already in Australia to receive a Bridging Visa while everything was being processed.

That option is no longer available for new applications.

Why Does This Matter?

The shift to sequential lodgement has several practical consequences that both employers and applicants need to plan for.

Longer overall timelines

Because each step must now be completed in order, the total processing time from start to finish is significantly longer. Employers should expect to begin the sponsorship and nomination process well in advance of the intended training start date.

No Bridging Visa during the wait

Under the old system, lodging the visa application triggered a Bridging Visa for onshore applicants. Since the visa application can no longer be submitted until the nomination is approved, there is no Bridging Visa coverage during the sponsorship and nomination stages. This creates a potential visa gap for people already in Australia.

Risk of invalid applications

If a visa application is submitted before the sponsorship and nomination are approved, the Department of Home Affairs will treat it as invalid. The visa application charge will be refunded, but the application will not proceed. This could cause significant delays and disrupt training schedules.

Onshore applicants need a backup plan

If your current visa is due to expire before the nomination is approved, you may need to explore alternative visa options to maintain your lawful status in Australia, or consider applying from offshore.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. If the sponsoring organisation is an Australian Commonwealth Government agency, the standard nomination requirement does not apply. The agency must still hold an approved Temporary Activities Sponsorship, but a formal Training Visa nomination is not required before the visa application is lodged.

For all other sponsors, the full sequential process applies.

What Should Employers Do Now?

If you’re an employer who relies on the Training Visa (Subclass 407) to bring in trainees, here’s how to stay ahead of these changes:

• Start early. Lodge the Temporary Activities Sponsorship and Training Nomination as far in advance as possible. Allow at least 4 to 6 months before your trainee’s intended start date, and longer if they are currently onshore with an expiring visa.
• Prepare thorough training plans. The Government has signalled that these changes are designed to strengthen program integrity. Detailed, well-documented training plans aligned with the relevant ANZSCO occupation will support a smoother approval process.
• Coordinate with your trainee. Make sure the applicant understands the new timeline and is aware of any visa expiry risks on their end.
• Get professional advice. Working with a registered migration agent ensures the sequencing is right and nothing is missed. A single misstep in the order of lodgement could result in an invalid application.

What Should Applicants Do?

If you’re planning to apply for a 407 Training Visa, or you’re currently in Australia and your employer is arranging one for you:

• Check your current visa expiry date. If your visa is due to expire within the next few months, talk to your employer and a migration agent now. You may need to apply for a different visa to bridge the gap.
• Don’t lodge prematurely. Submitting a 407 visa application before the sponsorship and nomination are approved will result in an invalid application.
• Understand your options. If the timing doesn’t work for an onshore application, applying from outside Australia may be the more practical path.

How Questra Can Help

At Questra Immigration, we’ve been helping employers and applicants navigate the Training Visa (Subclass 407) process for years. These new lodgement rules make professional guidance more important than ever.

Our team can:

• Advise on the correct lodgement sequence and timing
• Prepare and lodge sponsorship and nomination applications
• Identify alternative visa options for applicants at risk of a visa gap
• Ensure training plans meet departmental requirements

If you’re unsure how these changes affect your situation, talk to us.

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.