Immigration

Australia | New ABF compliance operation launched targeting training (Subclass 407) visas

Summary

The Department of Home Affairs is increasing compliance checks on the Training (subclass 407) visa program. The Australian Border Force has launched a national operation targeting non-genuine training arrangements and misuse of the visa. This follows recent changes to the visa rules after a significant increase in onshore applications.

The detail

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has now commenced a four‑month, intelligence‑led operation, led by the Department’s Sponsor Monitoring Unit, targeting employers suspected of using non‑genuine training arrangements or otherwise exploiting the Training visa program. The ABF is working in collaboration with other agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, to ensure workplace compliance and enforcement.

Early compliance activity has identified several concerns, including:

• absence of genuine or structured training plans; and
• placement of visa holders in roles that do not align with their approved training objectives.

What this means for employers

With more than 200 workplaces scheduled for inspection across all states and territories, supported by multi‑agency collaboration, employers should expect increased scrutiny in the coming months.

This enforcement activity aligns with a broader Departmental effort to strengthen Training Visa program integrity, penalise non‑compliant sponsors, and safeguard migrant workers. This is reflected in the increased refusal and

withdrawal rates for Training visa applications, with 55% of applications in the 2025–26 financial year to 30 April 2026 either refused or withdrawn.

Considering increased enforcement activity, employers sponsoring under in the Training visa program should take immediate steps to strengthen compliance and reduce risk:

• Review all current 407 arrangements to ensure training plans are genuine, structured, with a clear skills development pathway and aligned with the approved occupation.
• Confirm trainees are undertaking duties consistent with their stated training objectives – not filling operational or labour gaps.
• Ensure training plans, supervision logs, and progress records are complete, up to date, and readily accessible in the event of a site visit.

Taking these steps now will help mitigate exposure to possible sponsor sanctions, reputational risk, and adverse compliance findings. Vialto can support in assessing compliance readiness through targeted internal audits or “mock” reviews, helping to identify and address any gaps ahead of potential ABF inspections.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Cherie Wright
Partner & Principal Solicitor

Stacey Tsui
Partner & Principal Solicitor

Arathi Tekkam
Director

Ben Reid
Director

John O’Brien
Director

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