407 Training Plan Template & Requirements 2026
A guide to what makes a compliant 407 Training Plan under the current rules
What is a 407 Training Plan?
A 407 Training Plan is a mandatory document required for the Subclass 407 Training Visa. It outlines the training program an overseas worker will undertake with an Australian sponsor. The plan must demonstrate that the training is structured, workplace-based, and aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Without an approved Training Plan, the 407 visa nomination will be refused. The Department of Home Affairs scrutinises every Training Plan for genuineness, structure, and regulatory compliance.
The Training Plan is a nomination-stage document — it is the employer's legal obligation, not the worker's. It must comply with Migration Regulations 2.72A(15)(b) and 2.72B(3)(a).
Training Plan template structure
Every compliant 407 Training Plan must include these sections:
- Sponsor details — business name, ABN, industry, approved Temporary Activities Sponsor status, and evidence of Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) approval
- Nominated occupation & ANZSCO code — must match the trainee's actual training activities, not just a job title
- Training program outline — week-by-week or month-by-month breakdown of training activities, each mapped to AQF competency units
- Trainer/supervisor details — name, formal qualifications (typically Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or higher), industry experience, and supervision plan
- Assessment methods — workplace assessments, competency sign-offs, progress reviews, and how the trainee's development will be measured
- Training duration — typically 6, 12, 18, or 24 months, with justification for the chosen length
- Workplace vs off-the-job training ratio — minimum 70% workplace-based for most occupations
- Salary & conditions — must meet the market salary rate for the occupation and location
2026 sequential lodgement rules
Important: sequential lodgement effective March 2026
From 11 March 2026, the three stages of a 407 visa must be lodged sequentially. Sponsorship must be approved before nomination can be lodged. Nomination (including the Training Plan) must be approved before the visa application can be lodged. End-to-end processing now takes approximately 9–12 months. Reference: Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026.
This replaced the previous concurrent lodgement process. Applicants and sponsors need to plan timelines accordingly — a Training Plan cannot be lodged until the business holds approved Temporary Activities Sponsor status.
Common Training Plan mistakes
Based on our experience preparing Training Plans, these are the most common reasons nominations are refused or delayed:
- Generic training activities — "the trainee will learn the business" is not a Training Plan. Activities must be specific, measurable, and tied to identified competency units.
- Wrong ANZSCO code — nominating the wrong occupation code leads to refusal. The code must accurately reflect the training activities described in the plan.
- No AQF alignment — training activities must map to recognised competency units within the Australian Qualifications Framework. Plans without this mapping are commonly refused.
- Unqualified trainer — the nominated workplace trainer or supervisor must have demonstrated expertise, typically through formal qualifications (Certificate IV or higher) and relevant industry experience.
- Unrealistic timeline — a 6-month plan for a complex qualification will be questioned. The duration must be realistic for the occupation and the trainee's starting skill level.
- Insufficient supervision detail — the plan must explain how the trainee will be supervised on a day-to-day basis, not just name a trainer.
Who prepares the Training Plan?
The Training Plan is the sponsor's responsibility. Some businesses prepare their own plans, but many engage a migration agent or specialist writer to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements. The plan must be accurate — it is a legal document submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.
For information about our 407 Training Visa services, including Training Plan drafting, see our dedicated service page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to write a 407 Training Plan? Professionally drafted plans typically take 3–5 business days from receipt of full information. Complex occupations or unusual training structures may take longer.
Can I write my own Training Plan? Yes, but the Department expects specific AQF mapping, detailed weekly activities, and compliance with current legislative requirements. Plans that don't meet these standards face high refusal risk.
What if my Training Plan is refused? A refusal can be addressed by preparing a new, compliant plan and re-nominating. Understanding the specific reasons for refusal is important before resubmitting.
Do the 2026 sequential lodgement rules affect existing applications? The rules apply to nominations lodged from 11 March 2026 onwards. Applications lodged before that date under the concurrent process are unaffected.
If you'd like to discuss your Training Plan requirements, please contact us or call 02 8188 1887. MARN 1576536.