Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs have launched a national operation to strengthen compliance and oversight in the Training (subclass 407) visa program.
Led by the department's Sponsor Monitoring Unit, the four‑month operation is targeting employers using fraudulent training programs and other exploitative arrangements to undermine the visa system and exploit migrant workers under the program.
In the first month alone, ABF officers carried out more than 100 site visits across regional Australia, spanning six states and territories, with inspections targeting businesses employing trainees in Darwin, Townsville, Gayndah, the Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, the Central Coast, Goulburn, Thurgoona, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Ballarat, Yallingup, Manjimup, Canberra, and the Margaret River region.
Early findings reveal compliance concerns, particularly employers lacking genuine training plans and migrant worker trainees being placed in roles unrelated to their approved training.
The broader operation will be conducted across all states and territories, with more than 200 workplaces scheduled to be visited, including many in regional locations.
Using intelligence‑informed targeting and strengthened compliance powers, ABF officers will interview employers and migrant worker trainees to verify that claimed workplace‑based occupational training arrangements are genuine.
The operation is being undertaken in collaboration with partner agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).
This operation forms part of broader efforts across the Department to strengthen integrity within the Training (subclass 407) visa program, remove non‑genuine sponsors, and support a fair go for migrant workers.
In the 2025-26 financial year to 30 April 2026, 55 per cent of Subclass 407 visa applications have either been refused or have been withdrawn, an indication of the scrutiny being applied by Department of Home Affairs delegates, as well as the underlying quality of some applications. The Subclass 407 Training visa is for structured workplace-based training and professional development, not for ongoing employment.
The department reiterates that all workers in Australia are entitled to fair treatment, regardless of visa status. Under the Migration Act, exploiting visa holders - including those undertaking unpaid training - is a serious criminal offence and may result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Anyone with information relating to potential immigration offences or suspicious activity is encouraged to contact Home Affairs and make a report online at Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance about their rights and obligations in the workplace. A free interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ABF COMMANDER JOHN TAYLOR - FIELD OPERATIONS AND SPONSOR MONITORING:
"We have zero tolerance for the exploitation of migrants on training visas. These visas are for genuine skills development, not for employers to misuse or underpay workers.
"Our officers are applying increased scrutiny to sponsors to ensure training arrangements are legitimate and workers are not being mistreated.
"Sponsors who fail to meet their obligations, or who seek to exploit trainees, can expect strong compliance and enforcement action."
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN ANNA BOOTH:
"We know there are large numbers of potentially vulnerable workers undertaking a range of duties under these training visa arrangements, and employers must ensure these workers receive all their lawful pay and entitlements. Protecting migrant workers is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman.
"Migrant workers should remember they have the same workplace rights under the Fair Work Act as all other employees in Australia, and protections are in place for their visas if they report workplace breaches to us."
