Occupational Trainee Eligibility
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Trainee eligibility
Trainees must meet one or more of the following requirements. They must:
- have been employed in their current occupation, studying or engaged in their field of expertise for at least the last 12 months (unless exceptional circumstances justify that a visa should be granted despite a shorter period of experience)
or - have recently graduated from a foreign educational institution and are:
- seeking occupational training in a closely related field
or - undertaking research in their field of study (other than full time research towards a further qualification).
- seeking occupational training in a closely related field
Trainees must:
- be at least 18 years of age (unless exceptional circumstances justify a visa being granted to a person under 18 years of age)
- have sufficient English to undertake the training program and to ensure occupational health and safety standards are met
- have a genuine intention to undertake the occupational training program
- have adequate health insurance
- be of good health and character.
See:
Health Requirements
Character Requirements
A foreign national is not eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they are undertaking either one of the following:
- an apprenticeship
- research for a full time post-graduate degree for an Australian Institution
See: Student Visa Options
Student eligibility
If in Australia on a student visa, foreign nationals may be eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they:
- have successfully completed the principal course of study for which their student visa was granted
and - want to undertake a period of supervised work experience for professional registration either in Australia or in their home country
or
- have successfully completed the principal course of study at the diploma or higher level, in Australia, for which their student visa was granted
and - want to undertake a supervised occupational training program in a closely related field for up to 12 months.
If outside Australia, foreign nationals may be eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they are:
- undertaking a course of study at an overseas educational institution
and - able to provide evidence from their overseas institution that the occupational training will be credited towards the grant of an award at the overseas institution.
Further stay as an Occupational Trainee
Occupational Trainee visa holders are eligible to apply for a subsequent Occupational Trainee visas while still in Australia, provided that the original visa has not expired at the time of application.
Such an application will be treated as a new application and the applicant must meet all of the requirements before a visa can be granted.
Other visa options
Occupational Trainee visa holders can apply for selected visas while in Australia. Please check on the requirements for the visa you wish to apply for.
Australian Values Statement
All visa applicants aged 18 years or over, must declare that they will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For applicants of this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. By signing the form applicants will also be signing the values statement. Applicants for this visa will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if they wish.
Visa applicants are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.
See: Australian Values - Overview
Before lodging an application, please read all related eligibility requirements.
See: Other eligibility