The Australian government has introduced Temporary visa enhancement settings to provide concessions to temporary visa holders to support Australia’s COVID-19 recovery.
The following visa enhancements have been made by the Australian Government:
- Skilled-recognized Graduate visa(Subclass 476)
The engineering graduates who lost time due to COVID-19 border restrictions will have their visas extended for 24 months.
- Training visa (Subclass 407)
To fill in the labour shortages, the government has removed the limit on working hours across all sectors of the economy, for existing and new secondary Training visa holders. It will be reviewed in April 2022.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa (Subclass 408)
Temporary visa holders (TVH) with work rights will be able to access these visas at nil VAC for 6-12 months if they work in any sector of the Australian economy.
These new arrangements will be applicable to TVH:
- who were in Australia prior to 21 February 2022 and
- who arrive in Australia after 21 February 2022 and have work rights or a job offer from Commonwealth-funded aged care service at the time of application.
The TVHcan apply for the Pandemic Event visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires, and can remain in Australia for 6 months if not working for a key sector or for 12 months if working for a key sector including:
- Agriculture
- Aged care
- Child care
- Disability care
- Food processing
- Health care
- Tourism & hospitality
