How this visa works

This visa allows people to complete occupational training in Australia on a temporary basis. For this visa, you will need to be sponsored and nominated by an Australian organisation or government agency.

The process for obtaining an Occupational trainee visa is summarised in the table below:

It is the responsibility of the…	to…
Australian organisation or government agency	apply to be an occupational trainee sponsor to provide occupational training to people from overseas design and deliver the occupational training in Australia nominate the occupational training to be provided nominate the person to undertake the training act as a sponsor for the nominated person listed in the nomination cooperate with the department’s monitoring requirements meet the sponsorship obligations.
nominated primary applicant	find a sponsoring organisation willing to provide you with a suitable occupational training program. consult with the sponsoring organisation to ensure that the proposed training meets your training needs accept the offer to participate in the training from the sponsor apply for a visa meet all conditions on your visa.

From 14 September 2009, a new sponsorship framework has been introduced for a number of temporary residence visas with work rights. The changes aim to strengthen the integrity of the temporary residence visa program, while protecting the employment and training opportunities of local labour.
See: Frequently Asked Questions – Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 (the Worker Protection Act)

Occupational training

Occupational training must meet specific nomination criteria for this visa.
See: Nomination Eligibility

Validity periods

The validity period of:

• the sponsorship is three years
• the nomination is 12 months
• the visa period is for the period specified in the nomination with a maximum of two years.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your visa application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives.

Secondary applicants who have not been listed in the visa application and who want to join you in Australia at a later time will need to lodge a separate visa application. A letter from your sponsor is required to be provided with the application confirming that the sponsor will accept responsibility for the secondary applicants for the period of their stay in Australia.

Occupational trainee visa definitions

These definitions will help you understand the information on these pages.
See: Definitions