2026 Australia 407 Training Visa: Offshore Lodgement Only from 12 November

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From 12 November 2026, the Australian Training visa (subclass 407) can only be lodged from outside Australia, and applicants must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. The change comes from the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Application Requirements) Regulations 2026 (F2026L01449), made on 29 October and registered on 30 October 2026. Home Affairs has updated its subclass 407 page and published a dedicated "Changes to Training visa application rules (subclass 407)" page. Any 407 application made in Australia on or after 12 November will be invalid, even if ImmiAccount lets you submit it.

The people most affected are those already in Australia who planned to move onto a 407 from a Student visa, a Temporary Graduate (485) visa, a Working Holiday visa or a Visitor visa. They will now have to leave Australia before applying, and an offshore application does not come with a Bridging visa. Valid applications lodged before 12 November will be assessed under the old rules.

Below: what changed, pending applications, fees, processing times, sponsor essentials and alternatives. Information is current as at 10 November 2026.

1. Subclass 407 offshore lodgement rule at a glance
2. What is the Training visa (subclass 407)?
3. Before and after: can you still apply for a 407 in Australia?
4. Already lodged, or currently in Australia: what now?
5. Subclass 407 visa cost and processing time
6. Sponsorship and nomination essentials
7. What international applicants should do
8. Alternatives: 482, 485 and Bridging visa limits
FAQ

1. Subclass 407 offshore lodgement rule at a glance

Item	Details
Start date	12 November 2026, for applications made on or after that date
Legal basis	F2026L01449 replaces item 2 of the table in subitem 1238(3) of Schedule 1 (where to apply) and clause 407.411 of Schedule 2 (where you must be at grant) of the Migration Regulations 1994
At lodgement	You must be outside Australia. An onshore application is invalid, and an invalidity decision cannot be merits reviewed
At grant	You must be outside Australia
Bridging visa	No Bridging visa is linked to an application lodged outside Australia
Exemptions	The Minister may specify classes of people who can still apply onshore by legislative instrument. As at 10 November 2026, Home Affairs pages list none
Pending applications	Valid applications lodged before 12 November are assessed under the rules in place at lodgement, including family members

2. What is the Training visa (subclass 407)?

The 407 is a temporary visa of up to 2 years for workplace-based training that improves your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study or field of expertise, or for a professional development program. It is not meant to fill workforce shortages or for ongoing work, and all work must be paid in line with minimum wages.

The nomination must fall under one of three types of occupational training:

Occupational training required for registration: training you need to get registration, membership or a licence in your occupation, in Australia or your home country.
Occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation: a structured, tailored workplace-based training program.
Occupational training for capacity building overseas: covers overseas qualification requirements, government-supported training and professional development.

You will usually need to be 18 or older, have functional English (only passport holders from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the US and Ireland do not need to provide English test results; otherwise, for example, an average IELTS band of 4.5 from a test taken in the 12 months before you apply, or an eligible qualification taught entirely in English, meets the standard), hold adequate health insurance, meet health and character requirements, and be a genuine temporary entrant.

3. Before and after: can you still apply for a 407 in Australia?

Item	Lodged before 12 Nov	Lodged from 12 Nov
Where to apply	In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance)	Outside Australia only
Where at grant	In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance)	Outside Australia
Student, 485, Working Holiday or Visitor visa holders in Australia	Could generally apply onshore, unless restricted, for example by a No Further Stay condition	Cannot apply onshore; must leave first
Bridging visa	A valid onshore application could come with a Bridging visa, depending on circumstances	None for offshore applications
Sponsor and nomination	Since 11 March 2026, both must be approved before you apply (no nomination needed if a Commonwealth agency sponsors you)

According to the Explanatory Statement, the aim is to curb "visa hopping" and make clear that the 407 is not a way to extend your stay in Australia.

4. Already lodged, or currently in Australia: what now?

Applications lodged before 12 November

Under new clause 16701 of Schedule 13, the amendments apply only to applications made on or after 12 November. Home Affairs confirms earlier valid applications are assessed under the rules in place at lodgement.

In Australia with an approved sponsor and nomination

You may still lodge a valid onshore application before 12 November, provided you meet the other onshore requirements (for example, no No Further Stay condition on your visa); without approved sponsorship and nomination, it would be invalid anyway. Lodge early and do not leave it to the last minute on 11 November.

Preparing to apply from overseas

Check when your current visa expires and leave Australia before it does.
Confirm that your sponsor's temporary activities sponsorship and your nomination are both approved.
Gather your documents before you leave. If you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16, you need a complete-disclosure AFP National Police Certificate.
Check whether you need a health examination and whether you can complete it before leaving.
Lodge through ImmiAccount once you are outside Australia, and respond quickly to any requests.
Do not book a return to Australia based on an expected grant date; you must be offshore when the visa is granted.

Home Affairs warns that an invalid onshore application may affect your visa status, and if your visa has already expired, you may not be eligible to apply for another visa.

5. Subclass 407 visa cost and processing time

Charge (Home Affairs current pricing, checked 10 Nov 2026)	Amount
Main applicant	AUD535
Family member 18 or over	AUD535
Family member under 18	AUD135
Sponsor: temporary activities sponsorship	AUD420
Sponsor: 407 nomination	AUD170

The price list notes that a subsequent temporary application charge (AUD700) may apply when you apply in Australia, which will not arise for offshore applications. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra.

According to the Home Affairs processing time guide (updated 2 November 2026, covering decisions to 30 September 2026), 25% of 407 applications were decided within 10 months, 50% within 15 months, 75% within 18 months and 90% within 19 months. These figures pre-date the new rule and are a guide only.

6. Sponsorship and nomination essentials

Order of steps: the organisation becomes an approved temporary activities sponsor (usually for 5 years), then lodges a nomination; you apply only after the nomination is approved. A nomination lasts up to 12 months and ends when the visa is granted.
A real training plan: a training contract, periods and places of training, a skills assessment, tailored learning outcomes, progressively harder tasks, and supervisor and trainer details.
Direct delivery: the sponsor must provide the training directly unless exempt, and must not displace Australian citizens or permanent residents or deny them similar training opportunities.
Pay: all work must be paid in line with minimum wages; sponsors who exploit migrant workers can be fined or jailed.

7. What international applicants should do

If you are in Australia on a Student, 485 or Working Holiday visa: the onshore switch to a 407 closes on 12 November. With a genuine training offer, plan to lodge from home and wait there, possibly for more than a year, with no Bridging visa. You can visit Australia on another valid visa during processing, but must leave again before the 407 is granted.

If you are overseas and your employer is sending you for training or professional development: little changes in practice, but your sponsor's approvals must be in place first. For professional development, you need a signed letter on company letterhead from your current manager detailing your current position and duties.

Home Affairs will tell you if you need to provide biometrics. Unless you hold one of the five exempt passports, include functional English evidence.

8. Alternatives: 482, 485 and Bridging visa limits

Facts from Home Affairs pages only; eligibility depends on your circumstances:

Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills stream: an employer-sponsored work visa that you can apply for in or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance). Onshore, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C. You need at least 1 year of relevant work experience and an approved nomination. Unlike the 407, the 482 is for filling skilled positions.
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream: you must be in Australia when you apply, generally be 35 or under (exceptions apply), have held a Student visa in the last 6 months and hold an eligible CRICOS degree.
Bridging visas: an offshore 407 application does not create a Bridging visa, so it cannot keep you lawful in Australia while you wait. A No Further Stay condition already stops you applying for most visas while in Australia.

FAQ

Q1: When does the subclass 407 offshore-only rule start?

On 12 November 2026. Under the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Application Requirements) Regulations 2026, Training visa applications made on or after that date must be lodged outside Australia, and the applicant must be outside Australia at grant. Onshore applications are invalid.

Q2: I lodged a 407 before 12 November. Am I affected?

No. Home Affairs says valid Training visa applications lodged before 12 November 2026 will be assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged, including applications that include family members.

Q3: Can I still switch from a Student, 485 or Working Holiday visa to a 407 in Australia?

Not from 12 November 2026. You must leave Australia before applying and be outside Australia when the visa is granted. As at 10 November 2026, Home Affairs pages list no exemptions allowing onshore applications.

Q4: Can I wait in Australia after lodging offshore?

You may travel to Australia on another valid visa and must comply with its conditions, but you will not receive a Bridging visa linked to the 407 application, and you must be outside Australia when the 407 is granted.

Q5: How much does the 407 cost and how long does it take?

Current Home Affairs pricing is AUD535 for the main applicant, AUD535 for each family member 18 or over and AUD135 for each family member under 18, plus AUD420 for sponsorship and AUD170 for nomination paid by the sponsor. The processing time guide updated on 2 November 2026 shows 50% of applications decided within 15 months and 90% within 19 months.

In Australia and unsure whether a 407 is still an option, or what to do instead? Level Up Studies offers free consultations: