Occupational Training Visa (442)

The Occupational Trainee visa allows foreign nationals to complete structured and supervised workplace-based training programmes or academic research in Australia on a temporary basis. The training must provide people with additional or enhanced skills in their present occupations, tertiary studies or fields of expertise.  This temporary visa is for people from outside Australia who want to improve their work skills through training with an Australian employer.   An occupational training programme needs two parties a) an occupational trainee and b) an Australian based nominating organisation to provide the training.

An occupational training programme must:

• be closely related to the trainee's current occupation, field of study or area of expertise
• enhance the trainee's current skill level
• be at least 70% in a supervised workplace
• not adversely impact upon occupational opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

The nominator is expected to:

• design and deliver the occupational training programme within Australia.
• nominate an occupational trainee for a training programme
• monitor the participation of an occupational trainee in the training programme
• report to the department if the trainee leaves the programme before completion
  

The employing business will have to satisfy the processing office that a bona fide course of training is intended.

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).
• 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 programme and to ensure occupational health and safety standards are met
• have a genuine intention to undertake the occupational training programme
• have adequate health insurance
• be of good health and character