While the Government considers Temporary Visa Holders as an important part of the Australian economy and society, there is clear message for people who are incapable to support themselves financially during coming months “to return home”. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, current acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs acknowledges that there are currently 2.17 million people on a temporary visa in Australia but they are not given access to unconditional work rights and government payment schemes. The Government is offering support to International students, Temporary Skilled visa holders and Working holiday makers supporting critical sectors in other ways such as by relaxing certain visa conditions, extending the limit of working hours and early access to superannuation funds. However, International tourists on visitor visas, Temporary Skilled visa holders who got laid off due to Covid-19 and working holiday makers & New Zealanders on 444 Visas who are unable to sustain their stay in Australia are being asked to make arrangements to leave.
Most Temporary visas such as work and holiday makers visas, bridging visas, training visas, temporary activities visas and temporary skill shortage visas come with attached condition 8303 according to which visa holder “must not become involved in activities disruptive to, or violence threatening harm to, the Australian community or a group within the Australian community”. In broader view of this provision, one could argue that violating social distancing rules put in place by the Government to control the spread of Covid-19 in Australia may be construed as being involved in activities which are disruptive to the Australian community in general. Any breach of a visa condition may possibly result in cancellation of the visa. Visa subclasses that may be under the scope of this provision include 400, 403, 405, 407, 408, 410, 449, 461, 482, 870 and bridging visas.
Citizenship ceremonies to be held online by the Government in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, changing the way of traditional in-person ceremonies. Through these online ceremonies people will continue to become Australian citizens even during such tough times. The Department of Home Affairs has started to conduct online ceremonies over a secured video link for people whose application for Australian citizenship was approved already. According to Department sources, there are currently 85,000 people awaiting a ceremony. When the program runs in full capacity, the Government is expecting to confer citizenships to up to 750 people per day. Further, the Department is still accepting new applications for Citizenship, however, they have put interviews and testing on hold for the time being.
During Covid-19 crisis, the Government is offering special support to agriculture workforce primarily comprising temporary visa holders who assist farmers in Australia by working seasonally. Temporary changes are announcement to visa arrangements with an aim to secure Australia’s food and produce supply. Agriculture has become country’s backbone and most essential sector in the course of the crisis. These visa changes allow those within the Pacific Labour Scheme, Seasonal Worker Program and Working Holiday Makers to continue to work in agriculture and food processing and remain in Australia lawfully for the time being. Acting Minister Alan Tudge said, “We are giving certainty to our agriculture workforce so they can get food from farms to our shops and ensure critical services continue.”
AAT has announced changes to their services during this time of COVID-19 and to help in slowing the process of spreading by closing their office for visitors. However, following services are still open for online services such as : Lodge a new application (preferred method of lodgement) Submit a document for any case that has already been lodged with the AAT Email about your new or existing application Send a general enquiry Provide feedback including compliments, complaints and suggestions They have put range of measures in places including to conduct hearings and conferences by video or telephone, or to postpone them where this is not possible. They have also temporarily suspended the issuing of non-urgent summonses. Their staff remain available to answer telephone and email enquiries, process applications and deliver other services in support of AAT members and Tribunal users.
Covid-19 Pandemic Event visa allows temporary visa holders to stay and maintain their lawful status in Australia when they are unable to leave Australia due to travel restrictions in place during Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and are ineligible to apply for any other visa. Vide the Migration (LIN 20/122: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020 dated 3 April 2020, the Australian Government has added COVID-19 Pandemic as a new event for the Government Endorsed Event stream under the standard Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) program. To apply for this visa, the applicant must be in Australia and must have 28 days or less remaining on the current visa or have had the last substantive visa expired not more than 28 days ago. Further, eligible applicants do not need a written endorsement from the Government to apply for this visa. Furthermore, there is no visa application charge for lodging a COVID-19 Pandemic event 408 visa application.
Due to a high demand and quota being met for the following occupations, these occupations have been removed from QSOLs. If your occupation has been removed, please do not submit an EOI as it will not be picked up. Onshore, (includes Queensland Postgraduate (Alumni)) and Offshore Marketing Specialist ANZSCO 225113 Onshore Finance Manager ANZSCO 132211 Occupations removed from QSOL 25 November 2019 Onshore and Offshore -IT ICT Business Analyst ANZSCO 261111 Systems Analyst ANZSCO 261112 Developer Programmer ANZSCO 261312 Software Engineer ANZSCO 261313 Software and Applications Programmers nec ANZSCO 261399 ICT Security Specialist ANZSCO 262112 Computer Network and Systems Engineer ANZSCO 263111 Analyst Programmer ANZSCO 261311 Onshore –Accounting Accountant (General) ANZSCO 221111 Management Accountant ANZSCO 221112 Taxation Accountant ANZSCO 221113 External Auditor ANZSCO 221213 Internal Auditor ANZSCO 221214 Offshore -Engineering Civil Engineer ANZSCO 233211 Mechanical Engineer ANZSCO 233512 Electrical Engineer ANZSCO 233311 Engineering Technologist ANZSCO 233914
The JobKeeper payment is intended to provide wage subsidies to businesses that are significantly affected by COVID-19. The Morrison Government will provide a historic wage subsidy to around 6 million workers who will receive a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer, before tax. The $130 billion JobKeeper payment will help keep Australians in jobs as tackle the significant economic impact from the coronavirus.The payment will be open to eligible businesses that receive a significant financial hit caused by the coronavirus. The payment will provide the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage. For workers in the accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors it will equate to a full median replacement wage. The Australian taxation department has made provision for businesses to login their interest in the program as a first step. More information can be sought by logging in to ATO website.
The Hon Alan Tudge MP is currently acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs in a recent press conference answered a very important question about world holiday visa holders and others who can be affected by travel restrictions due to COVID-19. A question was asked how the Department is going to address the problems of working holiday visas or backpackers stuck in Australia because of recent travel ban resulting in lots of their flights cancelled. Alan Tudge MP replied that this doesn’t just apply for working holiday makers, but it applies to other people who are on temporary visas and their visa may be coming to an end soon. He urged people to contact the Department of Immigration and inform them of their circumstances. Details were not given as how they will be handled but it was communicated that Department will look at case by case basis and will make a solution available so that these visitors don’t get unlawful but have a pathway to stay in the country till we lift the travel restrictions.
We know that international students have work restrictions which comes down to 40 hours a fortnight. There is a change in that restriction as discussed by Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge recently. Especially at Aged care centres where international students are currently working , there will be a provision where these providers offer more hours to the students to ensure the care of senior and more vulnerable Australians is addressed. Similar flexibility will be provided to supermarket workers so that shelves are stocked up with essential items despite the fact there is shortage of workers. These measures will be administered by the Department and are offered to existing employees for the time being. However, Providers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws. Students have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees. These announcements elaborate existing temporary arrangements relaxing visa work conditions to the aged care sector, applying to both residential and home care.