The government has announced a new stream under the Subclass 408 visa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Temporary visa holders in Australia, who are unable to depart or apply for another visa, may be eligible for a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa under the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) Stream (COVID-19 Event) to assist in critical sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this stream, the following requirements apply:
the applicant must be in Australia on a temporary visa (including Working Holidays Makers not eligible for second or third year and Seasonal Work Programme workers).
The temporary visa will expire in the next 28 days or has ceased to be in effect not more than 28 days;
the applicant is unable to depart Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
no other temporary visa option is available for the applicant; and
the applicant will remain in Australia to assist in the following sectors: healthcare, disability and aged care, childcare and agriculture.
Other criterion for the visa remains the same as the other streams for Subclass 408 visa such as health, character, genuine temporary criterion and ability to financially support yourself. Applicants for this visa are expected to comply with all public health directions while on the Subclass 408. Further details about this visa and requirements are yet to be released by the Department of Home Affairs, we will provide further updates when available.
Please contact us should you require advice regarding the the above stream