Workplace-based training can be a powerful way to advance your skillset and prepare yourself for a successful career. The Australian government allows visa applicants to complete practical training with an approved sponsor to improve skills vital for their eligible occupation.
This article will explain the Occupational Training Visa Subclass 407, the eligible skilled occupations, and the subclass 407 visa application process.
What is a Subclass 407 Training Visa?
The Occupational Training Visa 407 is a temporary visa that enables an applicant to take part in a workplace-based training program with an approved temporary activity sponsor. It is valid for up to two years and cannot be extended, though you can apply for another visa once you have completed your structured training program.
There are three different types of occupational training covered by this visa.
Occupational Training Required by Registration: If your career requires you to complete occupational training in order to get an Australian or overseas qualification, occupational registration, membership, or licensing by a regulatory body, you can complete your coursework in Australia.
Occupational Training to Improve Skills in an Eligible Occupation: This is for those who would like to complete a professional development training program to advance their established careers. The training needs to be specifically tailored to the applicant’s needs and related to a job on the skilled occupation list provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
Occupational Training for Capacity Building Overseas: This option can have several components. Students enrolled in a foreign educational institution can complete up to 6 months of structured workplace-based training as necessitated by their occupation. Those who are sponsored by an Australian organization or who have government support in their home country can undergo occupational training through a training plan tailored to their needs. Overseas employers may also send their workers to Australia for additional job training and professional development.
This visa allows you to bring family members along, though if they want to work, they will have to receive their own work or study visa. If you have dependent children under the age of 18, you will need to prove that moving to Australia will not cause them undue hardship, as this may cause your visa to be denied.
Training Visa Subclass 407 Eligibility
The Training Visa Subclass 407 is only open to individuals undertaking professional development activities related to their current occupation. Eligibility requires that the primary applicant meet the following criteria.
Sponsorship
The main applicant must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor, which can be a government agency, business, or organization. Sponsor applicants must show how the visa holder will enhance their professional skills, such as how this will satisfy the occupational training required by their specific career.
If you are bringing your family along, they are considered subsequent entrants, and your sponsor must also agree to sponsor them along with you.
Occupational Training Program
As part of the sponsorship obligations, the sponsor and the applicant must provide a written statement explaining how structured workplace-based training will enhance their career.
For example, if a certain career has conditional registration contingent upon completing professional development courses, it must be clear that this specific program will meet that need.
Like a student visa, it must be clear that you are Genuine Temporary Entrant, meaning that you will leave once your program is over. You can prove this by showing that you intend to return to your career in your home country, or that you are being sponsored by an employer in your country of origin.
English Language Requirements
The applicant must have functional English, which means having at least a 4.5 on the IELTS test. The Department of Home Affairs website lists several other tests that may satisfy this requirement.
Applicants from New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom may not have to demonstrate their language skills. If you received at least five years of secondary or higher education in English, this requirement may be waived.
Health and Character Requirements
You must be in good health, as proven by a medical exam, and you must have overseas health insurance to cover your medical needs while in the country.
Additionally, you must have a police certificate from an approved government agency demonstrating that you do not have a criminal record of serious offenses.
Financial Requirements
You need to have the financial capacity to support yourself and any dependent family members who may be joining you. This financial support can be proven by bank statements or tax returns. You’ll also need to make at least the award pay rate during your stay.
Training Visa Australia Application Process
You can apply for the Training Visa Subclass 407 online by signing up for an ImmiAccount, uploading your supporting documents, and paying your visa fee. If you intend to bring a family member along, they are considered secondary applicants and must fill out their own documentation.
Required Documents
Documents necessary include the following:
- Valid passport
- Sponsor approval letter
- Your sponsor’s nomination approval letter
- Written statA writtenrom the sponsor affirming that they will fulfill their obligations to you and your family members
- Proof of health insurance
- Evidence of licenses or certifications
- Qualifications and curriculum vitae
- Functional English test
- Police certificate
- Medical exam
- Documents for any family members who are joining you
Visa Application Fees
The training visa costs AUD 415 for the applicant, with additional costs for any dependents you are bringing with you. There may be additional fees for document preparation, translations of documents not in English, medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics appointments.
Training Visa Conditions
If you receive your visa grant letter for the Training Visa Subclass 407, it is crucial that you abide by all conditions, or you will have your visa canceled. This includes the following restrictions.
Work Restrictions
With this visa, you can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight (two weeks) in your approved course. This applies to partners and any children that you have brought along, as well.
Study Requirements
You must have at least 12 months of experience in your field before applying for the program. This may be educational experience or vocational training, depending on your field. Additionally, you must perform satisfactorily at your occupational program during your stay.
Visa Duration
This is not a permanent visa; it is only valid for up to 2 years. Your visa cannot be extended, so if your training needs to be continued, you will have to be sponsored again for a new visa. You will receive a bridging visa in the meantime. The Subclass 407 Visa is not a pathway to permanent residency, so if you want to remain in Australia, you will need to seek a different subclass of visa after your program is completed.
Travel Conditions
There are no travel restrictions with the 407 training visa; you can leave and re-enter the country as many times as necessary while the visa is valid.
However, time spent outside of Australia still counts toward your visa period, so you must be aware of the time limits and ensure you get all your training done within the allotted time frame.
Tips for a Successful Training Visa Application
This visa is an excellent way to get training to improve skills vital for the global workforce. To ensure you have the best possible chance of receiving a visa, consider the following tips.
- Work With an Immigration Lawyer: A migration expert, like a lawyer, can be helpful in ensuring that you have all your paperwork ready and will not experience any delays after applying.
- Demonstrate a Clear Need for Training: If your occupation requires registration, membership, or licensing, demonstrate why a particular workplace program in Australia will best satisfy this need through evidence.
- Request Help from an Approved Temporary Activities Sponsor: If you are not applying for a training visa through your employer, you will need sponsorship through a government agency or organization. To receive this, you will want to demonstrate both why you need this training and the value that you will provide once you have been trained.
- Check Deadlines Before Applying: Current visa processing times for the Training Visa Subclass 407 are about 62 days. Start your application well in advance so that you ensure there is plenty of time before your program begins.
- Fill Out Everything Accurately and Completely: Misrepresenting yourself or your skills will lead to a denial. Make sure that your CV and your qualifications are accurate and as specific as possible.
Get Your Medical Exam and Police Certificates Ahead of Time: Ensure that you get an approved medical exam in advance, and apply for an Australian police certificate from the relevant agency so that you can include this with your application.