Training visa (407) and Temporary Activity visa (408): a full guide

Australia’s visa list includes two subclasses that come up only in very specific situations: the Training visa (subclass 407) and the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408). Both are temporary visas with a narrow purpose, and both are easily mistaken for ordinary work visas. This article explains what each visa does, who typically looks into it, the common misunderstandings, and why every specific figure (fees, timeframes, validity) needs to be checked directly on the official source.

What are these two visas for?

The Training visa (subclass 407) is for people coming to Australia to take part in a structured occupational training program — not to do ordinary work. Its core purpose is to develop or improve skills in an occupation, an academic field, or a specific training program, under the sponsorship of an approved sponsor. The visa is tied to a clear training plan with a sponsor and defined learning objectives, rather than filling a regular staffing position.

The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) is a temporary visa for a range of specific activities organised into several different streams. Common activity groups include taking part in an event or a sporting activity, performing in the arts or entertainment, religious activity, a cultural exchange program, and certain other short-term activities under a specific invitation or arrangement. Each stream serves its own purpose and comes with its own requirements. It is a visa that is flexible in scope but very specific in purpose — not a general work visa.

The most important thing both have in common: both the 407 and the 408 are temporary visas with a narrow purpose. They are not general work visas and not a pathway to permanent residence (PR). The number of streams, the scope of each stream, and whether a particular situation is covered can change over time, so confirm the current structure on the Home Affairs site for your own situation.

Who typically looks into these visas?

Employees of a foreign organisation sent to Australia to take part in an in-depth, clearly structured training program (usually related to the 407).
People invited to take part in an occupational training program or an organised occupational exchange with an approved Australian sponsor.
Athletes, artists, performers, or groups invited to Australia for a specific event or activity (usually related to the 408).
People taking part in a cultural exchange program, religious activity, or a short-term arrangement of a specific nature.
Australian organisations wanting to understand which visa fits when inviting an individual for a defined purpose, rather than recruiting ordinary labour.

Who should not misread these visas?

People looking for an ordinary work visa: neither the 407 nor the 408 replaces a sponsored work visa (such as the 482 or 186), and they should not be used to fill an ordinary job position.
People expecting a PR pathway: completing a 407 or 408 does not in itself create any priority, points, or condition for applying for permanent residence.
People planning to “borrow” a visa for another purpose: lodging a 407 nominally for training but actually working full-time as an employee, or using a 408 for activities outside the declared stream, is a breach of visa conditions and can have serious consequences for both the visa holder and the sponsor.
People who think “an Australian organisation inviting me is enough”: an invitation is only one part; each visa also has its own requirements to meet.

Key requirements to look at

For the subclass 407, the requirements usually centre on:

An approved sponsor standing behind the training program.
A structured occupational training plan with clear objectives, content, and duration — aimed at skills development, not ordinary work.
Evidence that the applicant suits the program (relevant background, experience, or qualifications).
General requirements such as health, character, and appropriate insurance where required.

For the subclass 408, the requirements usually centre on:

A stream that matches the specific activity (sport, arts/entertainment, religious, cultural exchange, or another short-term activity).
An invitation, contract, or arrangement that demonstrates the activity and the organising party in Australia.
Evidence appropriate to each stream (for example, professional standing for a sporting or artistic activity).
General requirements such as health, character, and appropriate insurance where required.

The detailed requirements for each visa and each stream change over time, so check them against the current guidance on the Home Affairs site for your stream and circumstances.

Evidence you usually need to prepare

Passport and identity documents; documents for accompanying members if any.
For the 407: documents about the approved sponsor and the structured occupational training plan; evidence of relevant background, experience, or qualifications.
For the 408: the invitation letter, contract, or arrangement; documents showing your standing fits the stream (for example, a professional record for a sporting, artistic, or religious activity).
Evidence of appropriate health insurance where required.
Health examination results and character documents where required.
Evidence of financial capacity or support during your stay in Australia, if required.

The specific list depends on the visa, the stream, and your circumstances, so check it against the official guidance.

The general process

Identify the visa and (for the 408) the stream that matches your real purpose — structured occupational training, or a specific activity.
Coordinate with the Australian organisation on the sponsorship role, invitation, or arrangement needed.
Prepare the training plan (for the 407) or the activity/stream documents (for the 408) along with the supporting evidence.
Lodge the application online through ImmiAccount following the guidance that applies to that visa and stream.
Complete the health examination and provide biometric information if required.
Wait for the outcome; supply more documents when Home Affairs asks.

The exact sequence and detailed requirements can change, so follow the current guidance.

Fees, processing times, validity, and visa conditions

According to the official Home Affairs pages, the base application charge for the primary applicant starts from 535 AUDVerified 02/07/2026 · Source: Department of Home Affairs for the 407 visa and from 535 AUDVerified 02/07/2026 · Source: Department of Home Affairs for the 408 visa. Confirm these again using the official tools below.

Fees: both the 407 and 408 have an application charge, and there may be additional charges for accompanying members along with other costs (health examination, translation, insurance). The fee is adjusted over time, so check the current fee on the Home Affairs site. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator): select your correct subclass and stream along with the number of accompanying dependants for an estimate; note that this tool may not include every other cost that arises.
Processing times: assessment time varies by visa, by stream (for the 408), by how complete the application is, and by application volume. The estimates are updated periodically, so look at the current timeframe for your case type. Check the Visa Processing Times page (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times): it is updated monthly, so match the correct subclass, stream, and your case circumstances.
Visa validity: the permitted stay for the 407 and 408 varies by training program, by stream, and by circumstances. How it is calculated and the maximum length change with the rules, so confirm the validity that applies to your case.
Visa conditions: both visas come with conditions you must comply with, and their use is limited to what was declared (the training program for the 407, the activity/stream for the 408). The specific conditions change over time; when you check the Home Affairs site, confirm the conditions that apply to your visa, stream, and circumstances.

Risk of refusal

A training program (407) that lacks a clear structure or looks more like ordinary work than training.
A sponsor that does not meet the requirements, or an invitation/arrangement (408) that is not convincing for the chosen stream.
Choosing the wrong visa or the wrong stream for your actual purpose.
Not meeting the health or character requirements, or lacking insurance where required.
An application that is inconsistent, not truthful, or shows signs that the real purpose differs from the declared one.

The rules and how they are assessed can change, so check against the current official guidance.

Common mistakes

Treating the 407 as a “back door” to work in Australia, rather than a genuinely structured training program.
Using the 408 for an activity outside the declared stream, or extending an activity beyond the permitted scope.
Expecting the 407 or 408 to “lead to PR” and then making long-term plans based on that expectation.
Overlooking the sponsor’s role and obligations, leaving the application without a foundation.
Relying on a previous applicant’s experience instead of checking the current stream structure and rules.

When to ask an RMA

If your situation is unclear — for example, the boundary between “training” and “working” with the 407, or whether a specific activity fits the right stream of the 408 — this is a good time to consult an OMARA-registered Registered Migration Agent. The reason: misclassifying the purpose or stream is one of the biggest risks with these two visas, and the consequences of breaching conditions can affect both the visa holder and the sponsor. An RMA cannot guarantee an outcome, but can help identify the visa and stream that fit your actual circumstances. This article is not personal advice.

A self-check before you read on

Is your real purpose structured occupational training (407) or a specific activity (408)?
For the 407: do you already have an approved sponsor and a clear training plan?
For the 408: which stream does your activity fall under, and do you have the matching invitation or arrangement?
Do you understand that both visas are temporary, narrow in purpose, and do not lead to PR on their own?

Official sources

The Department of Home Affairs official page on the Training visa (subclass 407): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/training-407
The Department of Home Affairs official page on the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408
Visa Pricing Estimator: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator
Visa Processing Times: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times

These are the up-to-date sources for every current figure, stream, validity period, and condition.

The 407 and 408 have a clear and narrow purpose: one is structured occupational training, the other is a specific activity under a stream. Understanding the purpose correctly helps you avoid confusing them with an ordinary work visa or a PR pathway — and avoid the risk of breaching visa conditions. The rules change often, so always check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and consult an OMARA-registered RMA before making any important decision.

Last updated: 12/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check the official source before lodging.