March 10 2026:
Training Visa – 11 March 2026 Changes
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has officially ended the era of “concurrent lodgement” for the Subclass 407 Training Visa. As of 11 March 2026, the application process has shifted from a parallel system to a strict, sequential one.
No prior notice of these changes was provided by the Department.
Here’s what you need to know:
Previously, applicants and employers could lodge the sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications all at once. This allowed many applicants to secure a Bridging Visa early while their paperwork was processed.
The changes provide that in order for an applicant to make a valid application for a Subclass 407 visa, the applicant must have:
▶️ an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor (TAS), and
▶️ if the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency, a current, approved nomination for a program of occupational training.
Quick Comparison
| Pre 11 March 2026 | From 11 March 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Lodgement Order | All 3 stages concurrently | Step by step: Approved Sponsorship, Approved Nomination to allow for a valid visa lodgement |
| Visa Validity | Visa valid if sponsorship and nomination applications lodged & pending | Visa invalid if sponsorship and nomination pending (for non Commonwealth agencies) |
| Bridging Visa | If in Australia, issued to visa applicant on lodgement of the visa application | If in Australia, issued to visa applicant on lodgement of the visa application, HOWEVER the ability to lodge a visa application is signficantly delayed given the new visa validity rules |
HR Attention Required
Practical Steps for Employers
1. Audit Your Timeline: Sponsorship and nomination approvals can take several months. If the trainee’s current visa expires soon, you must start the process immediately.
2. Check internal approvals: Ensure budgets and sign-offs are in place.
3. Check Sponsor Status: Ensure your employer is a Temporary Activities Sponsor. Standard Business Sponsorships (used for 482/ 494 visas) are not valid for the 407 visa.
4. Professional Review: Given the risk of becoming unlawful, we strongly recommend having your occupational training plan and nomination audited before submission to ensure a “Decision-Ready” status.
5. Genuine Training Position: Ensure you are offering a genuine occupational training position. A training visa is not a work visa.
WHY IT MATTERS
Your trainee can become unlawful: Conduct VEVO checks to see when their current visa expires to avoid your trainee becoming unlawful while waiting for the TAS Sponsorship or Nomination to be approved
Trainee position viability: Positions should be carefully assessed to ensure they are suitable for a trainee. A comprehensive and genuine training plan, tailored specifically to the trainee’s role and development needs, should be prepared.
High-refusal rates:Given the current environment, where the Department is showing decreasing tolerance toward this visa category, it is advisable to seek professional guidance.
If you need assistance or have any questions about these changes, contact us today for expert support.
