Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
407 Training vs 408 Temporary Activity
Both are temporary visas sponsored by an Australian organisation approved as a temporary activities sponsor, and neither leads anywhere permanent; what differs is the activity. The 407 is for structured workplace training to improve the applicant’s skills in an occupation, under a training plan, for up to two years, with a nomination for the training position. The 408 is for the listed temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange, special programs, domestic work for executives and others, for up to two years in most streams. A hospital training an overseas nurse uses the 407; a festival bringing a performer, a club signing a player or a church bringing a religious worker for a season uses the 408.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Purpose
- Occupational training under a training plan · A listed temporary activity
- Sponsor
- A temporary activities sponsor nominating a training position · A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams
- Length
- Up to 2 years · Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some
- Work
- The training only, with any paid work incidental to it · The activity only
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About the CPD →Side by side
| 407 Training | 408 Temporary Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Occupational training under a training plan | A listed temporary activity |
| Sponsor | A temporary activities sponsor nominating a training position | A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams |
| Length | Up to 2 years | Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some |
| Work | The training only, with any paid work incidental to it | The activity only |
| Charge | $535 primary applicant | See the fees page; some streams are free |
| Path to PR | None directly; a 407 trainee is sometimes nominated for a 482 later | None |
| Watch out | A training plan that reads as employment is refused | The stream must fit the activity exactly |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
Both are temporary visas sponsored by an Australian organisation approved as a temporary activities sponsor, and neither leads anywhere permanent; what differs is the activity. The 407 is for structured workplace training to improve the applicant’s skills in an occupation, under a training plan, for up to two years, with a nomination for the training position. The 408 is for the listed temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange, special programs, domestic work for executives and others, for up to two years in most streams. A hospital training an overseas nurse uses the 407; a festival bringing a performer, a club signing a player or a church bringing a religious worker for a season uses the 408.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
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Questions we get asked first
407 Training or 408 Temporary Activity — which is better?
Both are temporary visas sponsored by an Australian organisation approved as a temporary activities sponsor, and neither leads anywhere permanent; what differs is the activity. The 407 is for structured workplace training to improve the applicant’s skills in an occupation, under a training plan, for up to two years, with a nomination for the training position. The 408 is for the listed temporary activities, entertainment, sport, religious work, research, exchange, special programs, domestic work for executives and others, for up to two years in most streams. A hospital training an overseas nurse uses the 407; a festival bringing a performer, a club signing a player or a church bringing a religious worker for a season uses the 408.
What is the main difference between the 407 Training and the 408 Temporary Activity?
Purpose: 407 Training — Occupational training under a training plan; 408 Temporary Activity — A listed temporary activity. Sponsor: 407 Training — A temporary activities sponsor nominating a training position; 408 Temporary Activity — A temporary activities sponsor, or a supporting organisation for some streams. Length: 407 Training — Up to 2 years; 408 Temporary Activity — Up to 2 years in most streams; shorter for some.
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