Minister Hawke has provided a media release on continuing concessions for holders of the following visas in support of Australia’s COVID recovery:
Skilled Recognised Graduate Subclass 476 visas – extensions of 24 months for those engineering graduates who lost time due to border restrictions. This equates to the usual 18 months plus another six months.
Training Subclass 407 visas – secondary SC 407 visa holders – removing the limit on working hours across ALL sectors of the economy. To be reviewed in April 2022.
COVID-19 Pandemic Event Subclass 408 visas – 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 are only available to TVH:
- who were in Australia prior to 21 February 2022, or
- who arrive in Australia after 21 February 2022 and have work rights or a job offer from a C’wealth funded AGED CARE service at the Time of Application.
These TVH will be able to apply for these visas up to 90 days before their existing visa expires and remain in Australia for up to 6 months if not working in a key sector or 12 months if working in the key sectors of:
- Agriculture
- Food processing
- Health Care
- Aged care
- Disability Care
- Child Care
- Tourism and Hospitality
The full media release is available on the Minister’s website.
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/