Changes to Australia’s 476, 407 & 408 Visa Programs to Support Australia’s Economic Recovery

On 2 March 2022, the Australian Government announced further temporary changes to some visas in Australia’s temporary visa program:

Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa holders

Eligible Subclass 476 visa holders who lost time in Australia by virtue of COVID-19 international border restrictions will have their visas extended for 24 months.

This extension is expected to take effect in April 2022 and eligible visa holders will be notified directly by the Department of Home Affairs of the extension of their visa and may arrive in Australia after this occurs. It will also apply to people whose visas have already expired, providing they were unable to use the full length of their original visa due to COVID-19 international travel restrictions.

Training (Subclass 407) visa holders

Due to the current workforce shortages, the Australian Government is temporarily removing the limit on secondary Subclass 407 visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy.

This change takes effect immediately for existing and new secondary Training visa holders and will be reviewed in April 2022.

Access to COVID-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visas

Temporary visa holders working in, or intending to work in, any sector of the Australian economy will be able to apply for the Pandemic Event visa up to 90 days prior to their existing visa expiry, and then remain in Australia for either:

  • Up to 12 additional months if 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
  • Up to 6 months if working or intending to work in any other sector

Currently, the COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa is available with no Visa Application Charge (VAC) for 12 months for any person working in, or with an offer to work in agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, childcare, and tourism and hospitality.

The new arrangements will only be available for Pandemic Event visa applications made 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 time of application

The Australian Government states that the removal of the sector limitation for eligibility of the COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa will provide further support to Australian businesses and a means to retain temporary migrants who are working in, or able to work in a range of sectors across the economy.

It is important to note that these temporary settings are subject to ongoing review. For more information about the temporary changes, please contact Migration Affairs today.

Have more specific questions about your visa? Get in touch with Migration Affairs today.

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