Changes for Visa 408 are in Place as Part of Australian Economic Recovery

The Australian Government announced some changes for Visa 408, in particular the Covid-19 Pandemic Event Visa settings to support the Australian economic recovery. The changes are made in the hope that the temporary visa holders in Australia can participate in the recovery as Australian labour.

What are the changes?

Previous Arrangement for Visa 408 – Covid-19 Pandemic Event Visa

Visa 408 – Covid-19 Pandemic Event Visa was previously put in place to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in most Australian temporary visa holders to remain in Australia as they could not leave the country and with many who did not have other visa options to stay lawfully in Australia. Visa 408 is also in place to support Australia’s critical sectors, such as health care, child care, aged care, etc.

Visa 408 allows the holders to stay and work lawfully in Australia on the critical sectors below:

• Agriculture
• Food processing
• Health care
• Aged care
• Disability care
• Child care, and
• Tourism and hospitality.

Read more: Pandemic Event Visa 408 Onshore Application

Visa 408 Setting Changes for Onshore Temporary Visa Holder

To support the Australian economic recovery, the Australian Government decided to change Visa 408 settings. Generally, the changes allow the temporary visa holders with work rights to access Visa 408 for up to 12 additional months if working or intending to work in a key sector or 6 months if working or intending to work in any other sector.

This means that if you are currently in Australia and holding a temporary visa with work rights, you may be eligible to access Visa 408, even though you are not working in the critical sectors.

You may be able to apply for the visa for up to 90 days before your visa expires. If you are granted Visa 408, the following condition will apply to you:

• If you are granted a Visa 408 and are not working in the critical sectors, you may remain in Australia for up to 6 months.
• If you are granted a Visa 408 and work in the critical sectors, you may remain in Australia for up to 12 months.

Who is Eligible for the New Visa 408 Changes?

The new changes mentioned above are only available to the temporary visa holders who:

• Were in Australia before 21 February 2022, or
• Arrive in Australia after 21 February 2022 on a visa with work rights or have a job offer from the Commonwealth-funded aged care at the time of application.

Read more: Entering Australia in 2022: Digital Passenger Declaration to Replace Incoming Passenger Card

What does it mean to you?

It is excellent news for you who are in Australia holding a visa with work rights! Now you have a chance to access Visa 408 even though you are not working in the critical sector, and you may remain for up to 6 months in Australia!

If you wish to check your eligibility, please get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159.

Are you eligible for the changes?

Are you wondering if you are eligible for the changes? Don’t worry! ONE derland Consulting is here to ease your concerns on Visa 408 changes.

We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.