Changes to Australias Visa programs 476 407 and 408 visa

Some changes for Skilled-recognized Graduate (Subclass 476) visa holders

The Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) This visa allows recent engineering graduates to study, work and live in Australia. Eligible 476 visa holders who lost time in Australia as a result of COVID-19 pandemic international border restrictions will have their visas extended for a period of 24 months.

The Visa extension is expected to take effect in April 2022, and eligible visa holders will be notified directly by the Immigration Department of the extension of their visa and may visit Australia after this occurs. It will also apply to people whose visas have already expired, providing they were unable to use the full duration of their original visa due to COVID-19 pandemic international travel guideline restrictions.

For Training (Subclass 407) visa holders

The Australian Government is temporarily removing the limit on secondary Training (subclass 407) visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy. These changes took effect immediately for existing and new secondary Training visa holders & will be reviewed in April 2022.

For Access to the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visas

As per the Australian Government, Temporary visa holders with work rights will be able to access the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visa incurring no Visa Application Charge if they work in any sector of the Australian economy for a period of 6 or 12 months.

In Australia, Temporary visa holders working in, or planning to work in, any sector of the Australian economy will be able to apply for the Pandemic Event visa up to 90 days before their current visa expires. They will be able to remain in Australia for:

• up to 12 more months if working or intending to work in a key sector (including food processing, health care, agriculture, aged care, disability care, child care, and tourism and hospitality); or
• 6 months if working or intending to work in any other sector.

The new process will only be available for Pandemic Event visa applications made on or after 21 February 2022 by:

• Temporary visa holders who were in Australia before 21 February 2022; and
• Temporary visa holders who visit Australia after 21 February 2022 and have work rights or a job offer from Commonwealth-funded aged care service at the time of application.

For more information, please contact Bansal Immigration Consultants.

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