For Employer Sponsored Temporary Work Visas (subclass 482 Visa)

Q. What should I do if I have been stood down or my hours are reduced?

• Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482) visa holders who have had their hours reduced or been stood down, but did not have their employment terminated, can maintain their visa validity without breaching their visa conditions. Their sponsoring businesses will also not be considered in breach of their sponsorship obligations if they reduce the hours of these employees or stand them down.

Q. If I have lost my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what are my options?

• Those who are terminated (that is, they are unemployed) should find another employer within the timeframe specified in their visa conditions (60 days or 90 days).
• If unable to find employer within the given period, then they will need to make an arrangement to depart Australia.

Q. What can I do if I cannot return to my home country?

• If the TSS visa holder would not able to return to their home country, then they need to maintain a valid visa and engage with the health system when necessary.

For Seasonal Worker Visa Holder

Q. What are the temporary measures that the government has been taken for the 8,000 Seasonal and Pacific workers in Australia?

• Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour scheme workers, as well as Working Holiday Makers and other visa holders working in agriculture, will be able to extend their stay in Australia to support the agriculture sector.
• Seasonal Worker Programme workers will be eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa during the COVID-19 pandemic, if:

- the visa is about to expire

- the visa has already expired

- the visa holder can’t leave Australia

- the visa holder is working in a critical sector, like health, aged care or agriculture

• For the subclass 403 in the Seasonal Worker stream, during the COVID-19 period, the condition 8503 (no further stay) will be automatically which allows them to apply for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.
• Pacific Labour Scheme workers with visas due to expire can apply for a new Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) Pacific Labour scheme stream visa.
• subclass 403 visa holder in the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme will also be exempt from the requirement to work for a single employer (8577 condition) and be able to move between approved employers, allowing flexibility and continued support for the agriculture sector in meeting seasonal workforce demands.
• Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme arrangements, including those relating to employers, will be carried over to the new visa arrangements, continuing the link with the agricultural sector.
• Under these temporary arrangements, employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws and you will continue to have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.

If you are unable to depart Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic and you wants to extend your stay. Click here for more information. 

Should you require assistance on your visa matter, contact us at 03 99997964.

Source: Department of Home Affairs