5 Key Questions to Ask Before Applying for a Training Visa

Perhaps you’re striving to earn more so you can gain financial independence and retire early, or maybe you want to upgrade your career but are dissatisfied with the employment opportunities in your country. Either way, applying for an Australian 407 training visa can be a good option. By taking this step, you’ll have the opportunity to train under industry experts and develop the skills you need to advance to a better role and further your career.

However, applying for this type of training visa often isn’t easy. To ensure your application will be approved, you need to ask these questions:

What skills do you need to gain or improve?

When reviewing your application, immigration authorities will check if the training that you’re aiming to get is really necessary. So, before doing anything else, check the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations code (better known as ANZSCO) to know the skills, qualifications, and experience needed for your job. Cross out the areas you’re already competent in; the remaining skill points and qualifications should be the ones that you’ll be training for.

What position will you be training for?

The training should allow you to move up to a role that’s higher than your current position and comes with a bigger scope of responsibilities. Otherwise, if you’re not upskilling, it would make no sense to apply for a visa and undergo overseas training. If you’re a general electrical contractor, for example, your training should allow you to upskill to special class electrician.

Has the company ever trained someone before?

Just because a company offers training opportunities doesn’t automatically mean they’re reliable. Before signing a contract of any sort and starting the visa application process, learn more about their history and confirm that they’re an institution you can trust. Ask if they have trained people for similar or adjacent roles, and find out if they successfully completed the training and are still working for the company. You don’t want to be the guinea pig for companies that haven’t trained anyone before since you might end up learning nothing and gaining zero qualifications.

Who will conduct the training?

Ask the company about your potential trainer and get more info about their background and qualifications. Ideally, you should be training under someone who’s been in the industry for many years and has worked in the position that you’ll be aiming for. This way, they can teach you not just theoretical knowledge but also practical applications and provide you with numerous insights on how you can properly perform your future responsibilities and go beyond expectations.

How long will the training take?

The 407 training visa allows you to stay for up to two years.But the training time may be shorter than that based on the job you want. Don’t guess too much about how long the training will take, as that can raise red flags and make your application look sketchy.

A Training Visa 407 can be hard to get. Luckily, these questions can help you improve your application and increase your chances of being accepted.