The Department of Home Affairs announced Tuesday that the new rule took effect on Wednesday.

The subclass 407 visa allows foreign workers to take part in vocational training programs in Australia for up to two years, enabling them to gain work experience that may help them qualify for skilled visas or pathways to permanent residency.

Previously, candidates could submit an application at the same time as an employer’s sponsorship request. If their previous visa expired while they were still in Australia, they would automatically receive a Bridging visa, allowing them to remain in the country while awaiting a decision on their Training visa.

That process has now been changed.

In addition to other validity requirements, new applicants for a Training visa must wait until two conditions are met before lodging an application: their sponsor must first be approved as a temporary activities sponsor, and the sponsor must also have an approved Training visa nomination for the applicant, unless the sponsor is a Commonwealth agency, according to the announcement on the department’s website.

Authorities say the change is intended to ensure training programs genuinely support skills development and to reduce cases of “permanent temporariness.”

The term refers to individuals “who may not meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residence extend their stay through multiple temporary visa applications.” Officials say such practices can disrupt the immigration system and increase the risk of worker exploitation.

The department also advises sponsors to complete procedures for trainees before the planned start date of training programs. Applicants currently in Australia must maintain a valid visa while awaiting approval of their sponsor.

Earlier this month, Australia surprised many international students by doubling the fee for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to AU$4,600 (US$3,250), with the new fee taking effect immediately without prior notice.

These measures follow a series of policies targeting international students as the government seeks to control migration over the past two years.

The post-study work period for international graduates has been reduced from four to six years to two to four years, while the English-language requirement has been raised to IELTS 6.0-6.5, an increase of 0.5 points. Financial proof requirements and student visa fees have also been increased.

Last year, Australia capped international student enrolments at 270,000, down by more than 53,000 from the previous year. In 2026, the cap will rise to 295,000, though this remains about 8% lower than the peak level recorded after the Covid-19 pandemic.