From 12 November 2026, applicants for the Training visa (subclass 407) will need to be outside Australia when submitting their application and when a decision is made to grant the visa. These changes may affect your migration and travel plans.
The Australian Government is introducing changes to the application requirements for the Training visa (subclass 407), affecting applicants who intend to apply from within Australia.
Under the new arrangements, applicants must be physically outside Australia at both stages of the process: when lodging their visa application and when the visa is granted.
This means that individuals currently in Australia who intend to apply for a subclass 407 training visa will need to depart the country before submitting their application.
Who is affected by the new rules?
From 12 November 2026, the changes affect:
Applicants currently in Australia who intend to apply for a Training visa (subclass 407). They must leave Australia before lodging their application.
Applicants lodging a new application from 12 November 2026 onwards, regardless of where they are applying from, must be outside Australia when they submit their application.
Applicants awaiting a visa decision must be outside Australia when their Training visa is granted, even if they have travelled back to Australia on another valid visa while waiting.
Who is NOT affected by the new rules?
The new location requirements do not apply to:
Applicants who lodged a valid Training visa application before 12 November 2026. Their applications will continue to be assessed under the requirements that applied when they submitted their application.
Applicants whose applications were validly lodged before 12 November 2026, including those still waiting for a decision after the commencement date.
Example: How will the new Training visa rules affect you?
Meet Carlos – Currently in Australia
Carlos is currently living in Brisbane, Australia, and wants to apply for a Training visa (subclass 407). His employer has agreed to sponsor him, and he is preparing his nomination and visa application.
However, Carlos plans to submit his Training visa application on 20 November 2026.
Because the new rules will already be in effect, Carlos cannot lodge his application while he is in Australia. He will need to leave Australia before submitting his application through ImmiAccount.
Once his application has been lodged from overseas, Carlos may be able to return to Australia on another valid visa while waiting for a decision. However, he must be outside Australia again when his Training visa is granted.
What if Carlos had applied before 12 November 2026?
If Carlos had lodged a valid Training visa application on 10 November 2026, the new location requirements would not apply to his application. It would continue to be assessed under the rules applicable when he lodged it.
What happens if you apply from within Australia?
From 12 November 2026, applications submitted while the applicant is in Australia will be considered invalid, even if the online ImmiAccount system permits the application to be lodged.
An invalid application is not the same as a visa refusal. However, it can have significant consequences for your immigration status, particularly if your existing visa has expired. Depending on your circumstances, you may no longer have the option to submit another visa application in Australia.
It is also important to understand that an invalidity decision cannot be reviewed through the merits review process.
Meeting the location requirements does not automatically mean your Training visa will be approved. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria and visa requirements before a decision can be made.
What should you organise before leaving Australia?
If you are currently in Australia and intend to apply for a Training visa (subclass 407) from overseas, it is important to prepare in advance to avoid unnecessary complications.
Consider the following before departing:
Check your current visa: Confirm your visa expiry date and ensure you leave Australia while you still hold a valid visa.
Confirm sponsorship approval: Your proposed sponsor must have the required sponsorship approval, and your Training visa nomination must also have been approved, unless the sponsor is a Commonwealth agency.
Prepare your supporting documents: Collect the information and documentation required for your subclass 407 application before travelling.
Review health examination requirements: Check whether a medical examination is required and whether it can be completed before your departure.
Plan for the visa decision: You must remain outside Australia when the Training visa is granted. Allow for the possibility of processing delays and avoid making travel commitments based on an estimated decision date.
Once you have departed Australia, you can submit your application online through ImmiAccount.
You should regularly monitor your account and respond to any requests for additional documents or information within the specified timeframes.
Can you return to Australia while your 407 visa is being processed?
You may be able to enter Australia while your Training visa application is being processed, provided you hold another valid visa that permits you to travel to Australia.
However, you must comply with all conditions attached to that visa.
One important consideration is that an application lodged outside Australia does not provide access to a Bridging visa associated with that application. You will therefore need to maintain an appropriate visa if you intend to travel to Australia while awaiting the outcome.
Remember that you must be outside Australia again when the subclass 407 visa is granted.
Visa processing times can vary, so it is important to consider your circumstances carefully before arranging international travel.
What about Training visa applications submitted before 12 November 2026?
The new location requirements will not affect applicants who lodged a valid subclass 407 visa application before 12 November 2026.
These applications will continue to be assessed under the requirements that applied on the date they were submitted, including the changes introduced on 11 March 2026.
Before lodging a Training visa application, applicants generally need to ensure that:
Their proposed sponsor has been approved as a Temporary Activities Sponsor.
Their sponsor has received approval for the relevant Training visa nomination, unless the sponsor is a Commonwealth agency.
Need assistance with a Training visa?
Changes to visa application requirements can affect your eligibility, timing and migration plans.
At Turner-Rowe Migration, we provide professional Australian migration assistance in English and Spanish. Our Registered Migration Agent, Siham Rowe (MARN 1913375), can help you understand the Training visa requirements, assess your circumstances and guide you through the application process.
Contact Turner-Rowe Migration to discuss your Training visa options before making any travel or application decisions.
Source: This article is based on information published by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs in its Changes to the Training visa (subclass 407) application rules.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to change without notice. Australian migration policies and requirements may change over time. Applicants should verify the latest information with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before making any decisions or arrangements.