Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/061) 2023 dated 31 August 2023 amends the Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa) Instrument (LIN 22/046) for the closure of COVID-19 pandemic event 408 visa for new applicants from 2 September 2023.
For the grant of subclass 408 visa, an applicant must satisfy the primary criteria which requires the applicant to be a person to whom a clause in subdivision 408.2 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations. Clause 408.229 will apply to an applicant if that applicant seeks to enter or remain in Australia to undertake work directly associated with the ‘Australian Government endorsed event’ (AGEE).
Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa) Instrument (LIN 22/046) specified the event known as the COVID-19 pandemic as an ‘Australian Government endorsed event’ (AGEE) and classes of persons in relation to the event who may be eligible for a Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa. This visa was introduced in April 2020 to enable temporary migrants to lawfully remain in Australia while the border was closed. It also addressed labour shortages in critical sectors in the local economy. Now that Australia’s borders are open and temporary visa holder numbers in Australia have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, the Pandemic event visa is no longer required.
Therefore, the Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/061) 2023 gradually closes the COVID-19 pandemic event 408 visa to new applicants from 2 September 2023. Although, the existing COVID-19 Pandemic event visa holders are still eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa till 31 January 2024 and from 2 September 2023, new applications will receive a six-month visa and a Visa Application Charge of $405 AUD must be paid.
The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa will close to all applications on 1 February 2024. The closure of the Pandemic event visa will encourage individuals to apply for a more appropriate visa to meet their individual circumstances.
The instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 1 September 2023 and commenced on 2 September 2023.
To access the instrument, click here.
