Major Changes to the 407 Training Visa — New Sequential Lodgement Rules Effective 11 March 2026
Significant changes to the Subclass 407 Training Visa came into effect on 11 March 2026, and they will affect every applicant, sponsor, and migration agent involved in the 407 visa process. If you are currently planning a 407 application or have one in progress, you need to understand what has changed and how to adapt.
At Widen – Migration Experts, we are already updating our processes to reflect the new requirements. Here is what you need to know.
Need help navigating the new rules? Contact us on 02 8188 1887 or complete our free 407 Training Visa Assessment.
What Has Changed?
The Australian Government introduced the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026, which fundamentally changes how 407 Training Visa applications are lodged and processed.
1. Sequential Lodgement Is Now Mandatory
Previously, it was possible to lodge the sponsorship, nomination, and visa application stages concurrently or with some overlap. Under the new rules, each stage must now be approved in strict sequence before the next can be lodged.
This means:
Step 1: The sponsor must lodge and receive approval of their Temporary Activities Sponsorship (TAS) application before anything else can proceed.
Step 2: Only after the sponsorship is approved can the nomination application (including the training plan) be lodged.
Step 3: Only after the nomination is approved can the trainee lodge their individual visa application.
No stage can be submitted until the previous one has been formally approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Processing Times Have Significantly Increased
The Department of Home Affairs has indicated that sponsorship approval alone can now take up to 11 months. When you add nomination and visa processing on top of that, the total end-to-end processing time is now estimated at 9 to 12 months.
This is a major change from previous timelines and means that employers and applicants need to plan much further ahead than before.
3. Visa Fees Have Increased
The visa application fee for the main applicant has risen to approximately AUD $1,500. This is a significant increase from the previous fee of AUD $405. Sponsors and applicants should budget accordingly.
4. Refusal Rates Are at Record Highs
The refusal rate for 407 Training Visas has reached 45% in FY 2025-26. This is driven by a fivefold surge in application volumes and increased scrutiny from the Department of Home Affairs.
Training plans are being examined more closely than ever for genuineness, adequate structure, and appropriate remuneration arrangements. Generic or poorly prepared training plans are being refused at a much higher rate.
5. Further Changes Expected Mid-2026
Additional legislative instruments are expected later in 2026, potentially including mandatory wage protections for trainees and pre-departure briefing requirements. We will update our clients as these changes are confirmed.
What This Means for Sponsors
If you are a business planning to sponsor a trainee under the 407 visa, the new sequential process means you need to start earlier than ever. The days of lodging everything at once and waiting for a single outcome are over.
Our recommendation: If you are not already an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor, begin that process immediately. Sponsorship approval is valid for up to five years, so securing it now means you will be ready to nominate trainees without delay when the need arises.
At Widen, we help businesses through the entire sponsorship process. Learn more about our 407 Training Visa services.
What This Means for Applicants
If you are a prospective trainee waiting to apply for a 407 visa, be prepared for longer waiting times. Your sponsor must be approved first, then your nomination (including training plan) must be approved, and only then can you lodge your visa.
Our recommendation: Work with your sponsor and migration agent to ensure your training plan is professionally prepared and fully compliant from the outset. With a 45% refusal rate, there is very little room for error. A refused nomination means going back to the start of that stage and losing months of additional processing time.
At Widen, our 407 Training Plans have maintained a 100% approval rate since 2018 — even as refusal rates across the industry have climbed sharply. This is because every plan is written from scratch by our migration agent and certified trainer, with a detailed skills gap analysis, AQF-mapped training activities, and full compliance with Migration Regulations 2.72A(15)(b) and 2.72B(3)(a).
What This Means for Migration Agents
If you are a migration agent preparing 407 applications for your clients, the new sequential lodgement rules will change your workflow significantly. You can no longer prepare and lodge all three stages simultaneously.
We offer a 407 Training Plan Writing Service specifically for migration agents who need a compliant, professionally written training plan for their clients. With the increased scrutiny on training plans, having an expert prepare this critical document can make the difference between approval and refusal.
How Widen Migration Experts Can Help
The new rules make professional guidance more important than ever. At Widen, we provide:
Sponsorship applications — we prepare and lodge the Temporary Activities Sponsor application, ensuring your business meets all compliance requirements from the start.
Training plan writing — every plan is personally prepared by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536), a registered migration agent and certified trainer with a 100% approval rate since 2018.
Nomination applications — we prepare compliant nomination applications with training plans that stand up to the Department’s increased scrutiny.
Visa applications — we manage the trainee’s visa lodgement with all required documentation, health and character checks, and ongoing communication with the Department.
Strategic planning — with processing times now stretching to 9-12 months, we help sponsors and applicants plan their timelines to avoid costly delays.
Key Takeaways
The 407 Training Visa landscape has changed significantly as of 11 March 2026. The three most important things to remember are:
Start early. With sequential lodgement and processing times of up to 12 months, you cannot afford to wait until the last minute.
Get your training plan right the first time. With a 45% refusal rate, a poorly prepared training plan will almost certainly be refused — and that means starting the nomination stage again from scratch.
Work with a specialist. The increased complexity and scrutiny of the 407 visa process means professional guidance is more valuable than ever.
If you have questions about how the new rules affect your situation, contact Widen – Migration Experts today.
Call: 02 8188 1887 Email: info@widen.com.au Visit: Office 6, 2-16 Anglo Road, Campsie NSW 2194
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