If you are in Australia and have been thinking about applying for a Subclass 407 Training visa, the rules are about to change. From 12 November 2026, most people will need to be outside Australia both when they apply for a 407 visa and when it is granted. Here is what has changed, who it affects, and what to do if you were planning to apply.
What is the 407 Training visa?
The Subclass 407 visa lets someone come to Australia for up to two years to complete workplace-based training. It is designed for people who want to improve their skills in their current occupation, area of study or field of expertise, or to take part in a professional development program with an Australian sponsor.
Until now, it has been possible to apply for a 407 visa while in Australia, and to have it granted while in Australia. That is what is changing.
What has changed?
On 29 October 2026 the Government made new regulations, which were registered the next day. They do two main things for 407 visa applications lodged on or after 12 November 2026:
You must be outside Australia when you apply. An application lodged from inside Australia will not be a valid application, which means the Department will not be able to consider it at all.
You must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Even where the application itself was lodged offshore, the visa can only be granted while the applicant is outside Australia.
There is one exception to both rules. The Minister can publish a list of specific groups of people who are allowed to apply onshore. Anyone in one of those groups can apply from inside or outside Australia (though not while in immigration clearance at the airport or seaport), and if they were in one of those groups when they applied, their visa can also be granted while they are in Australia.
The important catch: as at 30 October 2026, no such list has been published. Until the Minister does publish one, there is no onshore pathway for anyone. The Explanatory Statement gives an idea of where exceptions might eventually be justified, mentioning occupation sectors with genuine skills needs and situations involving family unity as examples, but nothing has been confirmed. We will update this post if and when a list is released.
Why is the Government doing this?
The Government has said the change is about program integrity. In its words, the 407 visa is meant to facilitate genuine training, and it is "not intended as a mechanism for extending a non-citizen's stay in Australia". The Explanatory Statement describes the change as part of a broader package aimed at curbing "visa hopping", where people lodge a series of temporary visa applications from inside Australia to prolong their stay.
This builds on earlier reforms to 407 sponsorship requirements that started on 11 March 2026. Together, the two sets of changes are intended to further limit the number of 407 applications made from within Australia.
Who is affected?
If you are in Australia on another visa and were planning to apply for a 407 visa onshore, this change affects you directly. From 12 November 2026 you will need to leave Australia before you can lodge a valid application, and you will need to be offshore when a decision is made. Leaving Australia to apply has real consequences for your current visa and your ability to return, so please get advice before making any plans.
If you have already lodged a 407 application in Australia before 12 November 2026, the new rules do not apply to your application. The change applies only to applications made on or after that date.
If you are outside Australia, you can continue to apply for a 407 visa as before. The new rules simply require that you stay offshore until the visa is granted.
If you are a sponsoring organisation, you may need to adjust your plans and timelines for any trainees who are currently in Australia. Bringing someone into a training program from offshore involves different lead times and practical considerations than transitioning someone who is already here.
What should you do now?
If you are in Australia and a 407 visa was part of your plans, the window to lodge onshore closes on 11 November 2026. That is a very short runway, and a rushed application is rarely a good one. In most cases the better question is not "can I lodge before the deadline?" but "what is the right pathway for my situation now that this option is closing?" That might still be a 407 visa applied for from offshore, or it might be a different visa altogether.
If you are a sponsor, it is worth reviewing any prospective trainees who are currently in Australia and talking to them about their options sooner rather than later.
About Rocket & Ash Immigration Law
At Rocket & Ash Immigration Law, we specialise in helping individuals, families, and organisations navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law. Our expertise in visa applications ensures that you receive tailored advice and support throughout your immigration journey.
If you require assistance with your Subclass 407 Training Visa application or have any other immigration-related queries, our experienced team can help.
Please book a free 15-minute discussion with our team if you have further questions.
Written for and approved by Ivy Khine Su San, Solicitor LPN: 5514120
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. For up-to-date information, please consult an immigration professional.
