Training Visa (Subclass 407) Changes in 2026: What They Mean for You

The Australian Government has introduced important changes to the Training Visa Subclass 407 from 11 March 2026. Applicants can no longer submit sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications at the same time. Instead, these steps must now be completed in order. It is important for both sponsors and applicants to understand these new requirements.

What Are the New Changes?

Before lodging a 407 Visa application, applicants must now have:

• An approved Temporary Activities Sponsor; and
• An approved nomination for a program of occupational training (if the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency).

Prior to these changes, applicants could lodge their temporary activities sponsorship approval, Training Visa application and related nomination applications concurrently. This is no longer possible as sponsorship and nomination approvals must now be obtained before a visa application can be submitted.

Why Had the 407 Visa Changed?

The amendments to the Training Visa were introduced to ensure the visa is used for genuine, structured occupational training. The changes also address ongoing concerns around “permanent temporariness”, a pattern in which temporary visa holders remain in Australia indefinitely through successive visa applications without meeting the requirements for permanent residence.

How Do the 407 Visa Changes Affect You?

The new amendments have introduced a sequential application process. In practical terms, this means:

• Nomination and sponsorship applications should be lodged well in advance of the proposed training start date.
• Applicants can no longer submit sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications concurrently.
• Onshore applicants must hold a valid visa throughout the period while they are waiting for the Department to approve their sponsorship and training nomination.
• A Bridging Visa may only be granted after a valid Training (subclass 407) Visa application has been lodged.

How Long Does the 407 Visa Process Take in 2026?

The sequential application requirement may significantly increase the total time required to bring a trainee to Australia. Current government processing times indicate that Temporary Activities Sponsorship and Training Nomination approvals can take several months, and in some cases, up to 11 months.

As a Training Visa application cannot be lodged until both approvals are granted, the total processing timeline for trainees may now be considerably longer than under the previous concurrent system.

Need Assistance?

If you are unsure how these changes affect your situation, whether as a potential sponsor, a nominee, or an onshore visa holder, our experienced Migration Lawyers at All Access Migration can guide you through the entire process, including sponsorship, nomination, and visa application. We will assess whether the training program meets eligibility requirements and provides you with tailored advice to ensure your application is lodged correctly under the new sequential process. Please do not hesitate to contact us today to seek advice regarding the changes.