Given the ongoing skills shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the associated travel restrictions, the Department of Home Affairs have announced the following changes that will benefit Student visa and Working Holiday visa holders.
Effective immediately:
- all Student visa holders can work more than 40 hours a fortnight. This change remains in place to April 2022, when it will be reviewed, and
- the ‘6 month work limitation’ imposed on Working Holiday visas has been scrapped, meaning there is no limit on the length of time a Working Holiday visa holder can work for the same employer (including at the same location). This remains in place for the rest of 2022.
The above changes are temporary in nature, and are intended to be short term measures to ‘provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses currently facing critical workforce shortages’. This should provide some relief to small businesses across the country, who have had a challenging few years.
DISCLAIMER: This information is current as at the date of publication and is subject to change. The information contained in this blog is of a general nature only and should not be used as legal advice. If you do want legal advice on your particular situation, please contact us. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
*This is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.
