To tackle the latest coronavirus pandemic, Australia has declared a ‘human biosecurity emergency’. The government provides new guidelines and advice to the country’s residents almost every day. So, we have come up with the latest news update for Australian students.

Working Hours

The student visa holders are restricted to work only 40 hours a fortnight according to the Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs. Except for the COVID-19 Pandemic, Australia has decided to take the flexible procedure for student visa holders working outside their normal job limits, but only in designated industries.

This flexibility is offered, only if you fall under the critical sections below:

• Employed before 8 September 2020 by an aged care Licensed Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID
• Employed by a licensed provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Enrolled in a healthcare-related course and endorsing the health initiative against COVID-19, as directed by health officials.

This does NOT include those working in the supermarket.*

Once these steps are in effect the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force will not cancel the visa of students who work more than 40 hours a fortnight to help the company. These temporary steps will be checked periodically by the government. When these steps no longer apply, employers will be advised. For this temporary measure, student visa holders do not need to apply. You should contact your employer.

Financial Crisis

If you have lost your job in this rampant situation, you can have new opportunities through working for Victoria’s action. Australian Government has been providing funds to Red Cross to assist temporary visa holders with the basic requirements for the coming 6 months. Because of the pandemic, the temporary visa holders will be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation to support their financial year.

In case if any student finds him in a financial crisis who’s been here for more than 12 months they can access the superannuation as well. The working hours for the students will be returned to the maximum duration of 40 hours in two weeks because of more number of Australian recruitments in these roles. Those students who are working in aged care or working as nurses will have their working hours extended to support these critical sectors.

In a moment of crisis like this, the government is ready to compromise if the students don’t meet their visa conditions (such as not being able to attend classes). If 457/482 visa holders get their working hours reduced by the employer(because of the COVID 19 pandemic), it doesn’t mean that the condition of their visa is broken. If 457/482 visa holders lose their job and can’t find a new employer/sponsor within 60 days, then their visa may be canceled and may be sent back to their home country or try for further legal procedures.

Subclass 408 Streams Announced

This is the visa that allows a course to certain former and present visa holders to lawfully remain in Australia, who would be required to depart the country under normal circumstances but are not able to because of the COVID19 pandemic.

COVID19 pandemic.

To be Eligible in this criteria, the candidate must have a visa which is 28 days or less from its expiry date or a visa that expired not more than 28 days ago from the time of new visa application and are unable to apply for the same temporary visa they hold or held or any other subclass temporary visa except for the subclass 408 visa.

Also, the candidate should be in Australia to assist in critical sectors including healthcare, disability, and aged care, child care, and agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Major Announcements

The government announced two installment plans for the coronavirus stimuli package to rescue people from the economic impact of the pandemic. As a part of this plan, 236,000 Australian students(domestic students) will get an allowance of $550 fortnight on the top of $460 they already have been receiving as student allowance, Abstudy, and Austudy allowances.

The government is still in discussion about the international students regarding how to aid them during this crisis. Some universities and education providers have even discounted tuition fees and payment plans to help these students.

The government is still in discussion about the international students regarding how to aid them during this crisis. Some universities and education providers have even discounted tuition fees and payment plans to help these students.

For the visa holders whose visa is near to the date of expiry, the visa holder is advised to apply for a new visa or a bridging visa. They can also apply for a waiver of ‘No further stay’ conditions if the prescribed eligibility criteria are fulfilled.

Visit our website for any kind of visa services about Australia. You can also, contact us at +61 2 8056 7110 or email us at info@yespeople.com.au.