Official announcement today on 4 April regarding temporary visas

The Australian Government is making a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements during the coronavirus crisis.

·      Temporary Skilled visa holders on either a 2-year or 4-year visa who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition. These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year.

·      Working holiday makers supporting critical sectors of heath, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare, some limited flexibility will be provided. Those who work in agriculture or food processing will be exempt from the six-month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months. Self-isolation required for 14 days before taking up employment in a different region.

·      Temporary graduate visa holders will be able to access their Australian superannuation if needed.

·      New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the JobKeeper payment. Those arrived after 2001 have access to the JobKeeper payment. They do not have access to JobSeeker or other welfare payments.

·      International students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia.  They are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight. Those working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to support these critical sectors. Those working in major supermarkets had also had these hours extended to help get stock on shelves Note that from 1 May, their hours will return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight.

See official announcement from the Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs and joint media release from the Hon Michael McCormack and the Hon David Littleproud MP on Supporting the agriculture workforce during COVID-19.