COVID-19: 408 visa expands to agriculture, child care, disability care, food processing, health care sectors

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COVID-19: 408 visa expands to agriculture, child care, disability care, food processing, health care sectors

Changes to the Subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic event visa adds agriculture, child care, disability care, food processing, and health care sectors to the existing aged care sector as industries for overseas nationals currently employed, or those with offers of employment, to be eligible for this visa if they are unable to meet the requirements of any other substantive visa. The timeframe to apply has also been extended from within 90 days (up from 28 days) from when their substantive visa expires.

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COVID-19: Major occupation list review “put aside”

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COVID-19: Major occupation list review “put aside”

An update from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment states the major skilled occupation review process that would have affected many skilled visas has been “put aside” due to COVID-19. While this may be relief for some, it may also have disadvantaged others.

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Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

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Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

Late 2021 is when the partner visa sponsorship framework and English requirements will commence. Sponsors must be approved before a valid partner visa application can be lodged. Incoming passenger cards will be replaced by Digital Passenger Declarations in the near future. Visa application charge refunds and waivers are available for some temporary visa holders whose travel to Australia has been affected by COVID-19 border closures.

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COVID-19: 408 visa adds offer of employment for aged care service providers, 45 per cent of COVID-19 visas approved

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COVID-19: 408 visa adds offer of employment for aged care service providers, 45 per cent of COVID-19 visas approved

New legislation now applies to new and existing 408 visa applications lodged under an Australian Government endorsed event stream (the COVID-19 pandemic). It adds a pathway for work rights for applicants who have an offer of employment to work in the aged care sector from approved providers. The number of approved 408 visas is 45 per cent of COVID-19 408 visa applications at the end of July 2020.

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