The Subclass 407 (Training) visa aims to promote international goodwill by allowing Australian organisations, government agencies (including foreign government agencies) to sponsor persons to travel to Australia to participate in occupational training activities, including classroom-based professional development activities.
As a sponsoring provider, companies can sponsor trainees for a period of 2 years. During the period of 2 years, trainees will be able to work for the sponsoring company, study, live and travel within Australia, and overseas during holidays period.
There are three main purposes that applicants can lodge a training visa:
- To enhance skills;
- To obtain a registration;
- To obtain an overseas qualification;
- Professional development; and
- Government support
In order to be able to apply for a 407 Training visa, applicants have to obtain at least a qualification in their area of expertise equivalent to an Australian qualification.
Because the 407 visa requires the “sponsorship” criteria, which involves the employer application, it is commonly confused with 482 visas (temporary skill shortage visa). Below are the main differences between 407 training visas and 482 skill shortage visas.
Main differences between 407 and 482 visas
| 407 | 482 |
| The company needs to be a sponsor of a temporary activity sponsorship program | The company needs to be a sponsor of a standard business sponsorship program |
| The applicants will be a trainee within the company and their work will be supervised by a direct manager | The applicants will be employees within the company |
| The company will have to provide a training plan program presented to the Department of Home Affairs during application lodgement in relation to the training that applicants will perform within the business | The company will have to provide a genuineness letter to the Department of Home Affairs during application lodgement in relation to the applicant’s position within the business |
| SAF Levy Fee does not apply | SAF Levy Fee applies |
| 407 visa is not a pathway towards PR | 482 visa may be a pathway torwards PR to depend on whether the occupation is on the short-term or medium-term |
| Applicants are granted a 407 visa for the period of 2 years | Applicants are granted a 482 visa for the period of 2 years (short-term) renewable for more 2 years or 4 years (medium-term) |
Main similarities between 407 and 482 visas
| Employers need to be a sponsor on both visa programs |
| Costs in relation to Sponsorship application and Nomination application must be paid by employers |
| Specifically conditions applies to employers on both visas |
| Both visa programs requires contract of employment signed by applicant and employer |
Advantages of a Training Visa:
- Recent graduate can exercise their professions and put into practice what they have learnt while being paid for performing work;
- Sponsors can develop a recent graduate talent for future professional opportunities within the business;
- Applicants on a training visa can count their professional experience for subsequent skills shortage sponsoring visas and permanent resident visas;
- Training visa program is less costly to employers and trainees when compared to 482 skill shortage visa programs.
If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact Crustal Migration Team on (02) 9189 2988 or ross@crystalmigration.net