The Department of Home Affairs continues to make significant concessions to visas. This time, the Subclass 408 'Covid visa' rules are being relaxed to assist with labour shortages across the Australian economy.
On 2 March 2022, the Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke announced that Temporary visa holders with work rights will be able to access the Covid-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visa if they work in any sector of the Australian economy. These visas will be granted for a period of 6 to 12 months.
The new arrangements will only be available for visa applications lodged on or after 21 February 2022 by:
Temporary visa holders who were in Australia prior to 21 February 2022; as well as
Temporary visa holders who arrive in Australia after 21 February 2022 and have work rights or a job offer from a Commonwealth funded aged care service at the time of application.
Up until today, the Subclass 408 Covid Pandemic visa was available with no Visa Application Charge for 12 months only for people working in, or with an offer to work in critical sectors (agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, child care, and tourism and hospitality).
The change means that temporary visa holders working in, or intending to work in, any sector of the Australian economy will be able to apply for the Subclass 408 Covid visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires.
A visa period of up to 12 months will be granted to those who are working or intending to work in a key sector (including agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, child care, and tourism and hospitality). People working or intending to work in any other sector will be granted a visa period of up to 6 months.
Removing sector limitation for eligibility for the Subclass 408 Covid Pandemic Event visa will provide further support to Australian businesses and a means to retain temporary migrants who are working, or are able to work in a range of sectors across the economy. These settings are subject to ongoing review.
For more information please Contact Us or email elan@ryshermigration.com.au
Elan Rysher is a Registered Migration Agent and Qualified Student Counsellor. He is the main Writer for ImmiUpdates and the founder of Rysher Migration. Elan has many years of experience working in immigration, finance and health. Being a former migrant himself, Elan is passionate about helping others fulfil their Australian dream.
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