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AUSTRALIA UPDATE ON 408 VISA, PENDING PARTNER VISA, STUDENT VISA, NURSING STUDENTS FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Government of Australia in response to COVID-19, has introduced flexible and Temporary visa arrangements that support Australia’s public health measures.
The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa (COVID-19 Pandemic event visa) is being utilised to manage the extraordinary circumstances that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic event. The measure is temporary in nature, will be subject to ongoing review and will be wound back appropriately in line with the end of the pandemic.
APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EVENT VISA: The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is available to applicants who are:
- Presently in Australia
- Unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19
- Have 28 days or less days remaining on their current visa or where their last temporary visa has expired less than 28 days ago
- Not eligible for any other visa based on their intended activities or
- Have evidence from their employer that they have ongoing work in a critical sector and that an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the requirements.
WORKFORCES IN CRITICAL SECTORS: The Working holiday makers working in critical sectors such as agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and childcare who are not eligible for any other visa and are unable to return to their home country can apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders with visas due to expire within 28 days are also able to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
The other temporary visa holders whose visas are about to expire, have no other visa options, are unable to return to their home country and who are working in critical sectors may apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa. Evidence of this work will need to be submitted with the application.
Other temporary visa holders may apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa only where there is no other visa option and it is not possible to leave Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow you to remain lawfully in Australia until it is safe and practical for you to return to your home country.
EXEMPTIONS TO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS: Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family can still travel to Australia and are exempt from the travel restrictions.
In this case, immediate family means:
- SPOUSES
- DEPENDENTS
- LEGAL GUARDIANS
WITHOUT VISA: Applicants cannot come to Australia until you have a valid visa. Apply for a visa and include proof (such as your marriage certificate, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children). If we let you travel, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel.
WITH TEMPORARY VISA: Applicants except for Partner visa 820 and subclass 309 and Child visa holders – Attach proof as such as marriage certificate, evidence of de-facto relationship such as shared finances or property, birth certificate or birth certificate for children and submit this form.
Do not travel until DHA advise that you can. If you are allowed to travel, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR PENDING PARTNER VISA APPLICATIONS (SUBCLASS 820 AND 309): If there is a pending subclass 820 or subclass 309 visa (and not married to an Australian citizen/PR) and are outside of Australia or if the applicant have been granted a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) you need to apply for permission to travel.
New Zealand citizens (444 visa holders) who live in Australia as Australian residents are also exempt, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. Exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply.
Australian citizens and permanent residents and those exempt from our entry restrictions will continue to be subject to a strict 14 days self-isolation.
On 19 March 2020 the Tasmanian Government announced than it will be imposing a 14 day quarantine period for all non-essential travellers to that state as of midnight 20 March 2020.
STUDENT VISA HOLDERS ABLE TO WORK MORE HOURS:: Also the Govt. has brought in measures in an effort to meet the high demand for essential items at major supermarkets the Australian government announced that international students currently employed at these supermarkets will be able to extend their working hours.
Normally an international student must not engage in work in Australia for more than 40 hours a fortnight during any fortnight when the holder’s course of study or training is in session.
The measures will be administered by the Department of Home Affairs and are available to major supermarkets including Woolworths and Coles, and only for existing employees in their existing roles. Other supermarkets are able to register with the Department if they believe the changes will assist them.
This initiative will give international students more flexibility to work while studying and also allow employers to meet demand during a busy period. Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws. Students have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.
NURSING STUDENTS: In a press conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised that work restrictions would be lifted on some 20,000 international nursing students. “They’re going to be available to support the health effort right across the country, as directed by our health officials,”
“We’re not importing nurses into Australia,” he added. “That would obviously be against travel advice. These international student nurses have been in Australia for some time.”
Using a migration agent / MARA Representative may give an applicant rightful information to lodge a strong and a fully-loaded application which has the option of getting the applicant and his family the need of getting their permanent residence visa approved.
Bilimoria & Associate is specialised in Immigration visas to Australia with over 24 years of experience and will be able to guide applicants to lodge successful visa application based on their eligibility.
Bilimoria & Associate liaisons with Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and Member of Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).
Applicants can forward their resume to assess their eligibility towards obtaining successful family Immigration visa to Australia.
You can write to us to assess your eligibility at: neville@bilimoriaassociate.com (or) contact us +91 44 2823 9229 / 4350 8191 / 2822 7127 / 2822 7222 between Monday and Saturday, 10.30 am to 5.30 pm to guide you and assist you in your visa application to Australia.