Many travelers have been unable to travel to Australia due to the pandemic or have had to cut their stay in Australia short . Since the start of the pandemic, the Australian government has put in place measures concerning all young people in WHV or WHV. Among them the possibility of benefiting from a 408 visa (Pandemic event) or of being reimbursed for your visa application or making a free request.
Alan Tudge, the minister responsible for immigration and multicultural affairs, said the Australian government recognizes that the 118,000 young people in WHV are an important part of the Australian economy and society. This is why several measures aimed at enabling holders of temporary visas to overcome the crisis have been taken. We give you all the useful information in this article.
Creation of the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
Travelers to Australia can now claim a new visa, the 408 created following the pandemic. People working in critical sectors can thus apply for a 408 visa to continue working in these sectors. Critical sectors include jobs in agriculture, food processing, health care, care for the elderly or disabled, and children.
Since May 15, 2021, tourism and hospitality are among the critical sectors for applying for the 408.
This visa allows you to stay legally in Australia and work until the situation has calmed down and you can return to your country of usual residence. The maximum duration of the 408 visa is 12 months.
If you are not working in an area that qualifies for the 408 visa, you still have the option of applying for a 408 visa. However, you could only get a maximum of 3 months visa.
If you are currently on an expired COVID-19 Pandemic event visa, you may be eligible for a second 408 visa if:
- you want to stay in Australia to work in a critical industry, or
- you cannot leave the country due to the travel restrictions in place.
The application must be made within the last 28 days of your visa.
Important information
If you entered Australia with a WHV, you can count the work done in critical sector (health and medical sectors), under a 408 visa for the renewal of your WHV (for a 2nd or 3rd year).
Conditions of eligibility
This visa is intended for temporary residents currently in Australia who work in agriculture, food retailing, health or care for the elderly or disabled, tourism and hospitality. And this even if you have not done your 88 or 179 days under your current visa. People not working in these sectors can also apply for a 408 visa. However, they will be granted a shorter visa (usually 3 months).
Here are the conditions to be respected to make the request:
- Your current visa must expire within 28 days
- You must be in Australia
- Have purchased health insurance and have funds to support yourself
- Not to have had a visa refusal and not to have debts to the Australian state
Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. This visa can allow you to stay an additional 3 to 12 months in Australia.
Apply for a visa
If you are eligible, you can apply for a Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) . The visa application is free . You must select 'yes' to the question 'visa application charge concession' and select the option 'Nil VAC'.
This visa is only available to people whose visa will expire within 28 days or have just expired. So if you have 3 months left on your Working Holiday Visa, you will have to wait before applying.
To make your request, go to your immi account and click Make New Application , then choose Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) Temporary Activity Visa 408 .
Applicants working in critical areas must:
- proof that you work in a critical sector or a job offer
- have a visa that expires within 90 days or your last visa expired within the last 28 days
Applicants whose departure from Australia is delayed due to travel restrictions:
- you will need to provide an explanation for your inability to leave the country
- have a visa which will expire within 28 days or which has expired within 28 days.
If you are not working at the time of your application, you may encounter difficulties in completing pages 12 and 14 of the application, which concerns the professional situation at the time of the application. On page 12, you will be asked if you work in a critical sector or have received a job offer in this sector. If you click YES, you will need to provide details of your (future) employer. If you click NO, then click Next. A Warning window will appear and you will need to confirm that you did not have any other visa option.
On page 14, if you select YES, you will need to provide your employer details. If you click on NO, you will need to provide more details about your situation. In the Applicant's role description section: write “Unable to leave Australia due to Covid 19 Pandemic, and looking to assist with work in the critical sector.
Refunds or deferral of unused visa fees
The Australian government has implemented visa reimbursement or deferral measures. Indeed, people who could not use their WHV / PVT visa due to the pandemic can be reimbursed or re-apply for a visa free of charge .
Relaxation of the 6-month rule
Young people working in key sectors will be exempt from the six-month limitation on working with the same employer .
These sectors are:
- health,
- care for the elderly and disabled and children,
- agriculture
- food processing industry
- tourism and hospitality since May 2021
WHVs in Australia facing Covid-19
Summary of the current situation in Australia
Australia, which was little affected by the health crisis, began its vaccination campaign in February 2021. States and territories are experiencing here and there 'outbreaks' which are most often resolved by confinements. Travel between states and territories is quite possible, however, be aware that the situation can change quickly. To enter certain states, be aware that it is necessary to obtain a border Pass or complete a declaration. If you are arriving from a Hotspot, you may be refused entry into a state or territory.
The measures in place have worked well and the country has been little affected by the virus . To date, there are less than 1,000 deaths linked to Covid-19 across the country.
The economic situation of young people in Working Holiday
Not being a national, young people in WHV cannot benefit from government aid. Thus, holders of temporary visas did not have access to unemployment insurance schemes or government assistance (JobKeeper and JobSeeker). However, some aid has been put in place to assist young people in financial distress during the Covid crisis.
In addition, with the many departures that followed the start of the pandemic, Australia has lacked and is still sorely lacking in manpower for certain sectors. Indeed, employers in fruit picking, packing, or rural jobs are struggling to find labor. Currently, it is therefore easier to find a job in its sectors (considered critical).
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