ABF Targets Subclass 407 Training Visa Misuse

The Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Home Affairs have officially launched a major four-month nationwide operation targeting Subclass 407 Training Visa misuse across Australia.

Led by the department’s Sponsor Monitoring Unit, this operation is cracking down on employers who use fraudulent training programs and exploitative arrangements to undermine the visa system and underpay migrant workers.

Over 200 Workplaces Targeted

In just the first month of the operation, ABF officers carried out over 100 site visits spanning regional and metropolitan areas, including the Gold Coast, Darwin, Townsville, Ballarat, Canberra, and the Margaret River region. By the end of the operation, more than 200 workplaces will have been inspected.

What are the ABF finding?

Early compliance checks have already revealed significant concerns, particularly:

• Employers operating without genuine, structured training plans.
• Migrant worker trainees being placed into standard employment roles that are completely unrelated to their approved occupational training.

Increased Scrutiny: 55% Refusal & Withdrawal Rate

The Subclass 407 visa is specifically designed for structured workplace-based training and professional development—not to fill ongoing employment shortages.

To combat the misuse of this program, the Department of Home Affairs has drastically increased its scrutiny of applications. In the 2025–26 financial year (up to 30 April 2026), a staggering 55 per cent of Subclass 407 visa applications were either refused or withdrawn.

This high refusal rate highlights the strict quality controls currently being applied by Department delegates to remove non-genuine sponsors from the system.

Zero Tolerance for 407 Training Visa Misuse and Exploitation

The ABF is collaborating closely with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) to ensure all workers are receiving their lawful pay and entitlements.

If you are a sponsor, you must ensure that your trainees are strictly undertaking the training outlined in their agreement and receiving their lawful Fair Work pay rates. Failing to meet your obligations can result in massive fines, imprisonment, and the immediate cancellation of your sponsorship approval.

What This Means for Employers and Sponsors

If you are currently sponsoring Subclass 407 trainees, or planning to apply to become a sponsor, the margin for error is gone. You must ensure that:

1. You have a highly detailed, genuine, and structured training plan in place.
2. Your trainees are strictly undertaking the training outlined in their agreement, rather than just filling regular staff rosters.
3. You are fully compliant with all Fair Work pay rates and conditions.

Under the Migration Act, exploiting visa holders is a serious criminal offence that can result in massive fines, imprisonment, and the cancellation of your sponsorship approval.

Contact Us for further information and professional assistance regarding Subclass 407 Training Visa compliance requirements and related migration services.