Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) Australia
This Temporary Activity Visa allows existing visa holders in Australia to extend their stay for work in a critical industry sector recognised for the 408 visa, or to extend their stay in Australia because they are unable to travel due to the pandemic.
Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) COVID-19 Pandemic Event Stream | Who can apply?
- Critical workers in the sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, child care, and tourism and hospitality – individuals can stay up to 12 months in Australia.
- Non-critical industry workers – individuals can stay up to 3 months in Australia with this visa.
- Individuals currently holding a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa that is about to expire. It is possible to apply for another Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) COVID-19 Pandemic Event Stream if you need to continue working in a critical-industry sector, or if you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Requirements are subject to change – contact Interstaff to find out your eligibility and for advice on your options.
Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19) Pandemic Event Visa Requirements:
Here’s what you should know about the 408 Visa Australia application process. You must:
- Be in Australia when you apply
- Maintain your health insurance while in Australia
- Have 90 days or less remaining on your current substantive visa* or your last substantive visa must have expired less than 28 days ago.
Your visa requirements also depend on your circumstances for applying for the visa. If you are applying to remain in Australia for work in a critical sector that has been approved for this visa, you must also include proof from your employer (or proof of a job offer) and evidence that an Australian Citizen or a Permanent Resident cannot fill your position. If you are applying because you have been affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions, you must state why you are unable to leave.
You may wish to seek professional advice from a migration agent to understand how you can prepare your evidence and put forward a valid and compelling application.
*A bridging visa is not a substantive visa.
What you can do on a 408 Visa in Australia | Temporary Activity Visa Australia
You may be able to remain in Australia to work in a critical sector recognised for the 408 Visa or remain in Australia if you have no other visa options and are unable to leave the country due to travel restrictions and the impact of the pandemic.
You may be able to include members of your family unit in the application. All applicants must be in Australia at the time of applying and must meet health and character requirements set by the Australian Government. The primary applicant must be able to financially support themselves and their dependent family members.
If granted the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa for 12 months, you may be able to work in more than one critical sector. The Government has temporarily implemented a relaxed policy on ‘Visa condition 8107 – Work Limitation’ to allow for this, however this may change.
Individuals with a 12-month COVID-19 Pandemic event visa can change their employment if they stay employed under the critical sector. They can also work for more than one employer in one or more critical sectors, or under another industry, if their primary employment is in a critical sector. All changes to critical sector employment must be notified to the Department of Home Affairs.
Workers who arrived in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program and were granted a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa must only work for their Approved Employer.
Changes to employment must be approved by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
What else you should know about the 408 Visa Australia
You must prove you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE). Australian Immigration must be convinced of your intention to temporarily stay in Australia. To do this, they will assess your current situation and your immigration history including your compliance with all visa conditions.
You must have paid back debt to the Australian Government. If you have existing debt to the Government, you must settle your accounts before applying. This includes dependent family members that are included in the application for an Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa.
You must not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
If you are aged 18 years or older, you must sign the Australian Values Statement confirming that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you apply for the visa.
Working in a Critical Sector for the 408 Visa:
The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa critical sectors are the following: agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care. child care, and tourism and hospitality.
These sectors may change as Australia continues its post-pandemic economic recovery.
Find out more about how to apply for a 408 Visa to Australia:
Get in touch with Interstaff’s Registered migration agents to know more about the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) Visa and how to extend your stay in Australia.
How Interstaff Can Assist With Your Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) application:
Our Registered Visa Agents servicing Perth, Melbourne and Sydney can:
- Determine whether you are eligible for a Temporary Activity Visa
- Advise of a strategy for your Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa application and assist with all documentation and requirements
- Help you remain compliant with your requirements and obligations as an applicant by providing ongoing advice
Interstaff has assisted countless individuals with the Australian Visa process for over 30 years. Individuals interested in applying for a Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) are encouraged to contact us at [email protected] or call our Perth Head Office on 08 9221 3388 or 1800 449 858 to arrange a consultation.
Can Interstaff help me appeal my Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa application?
There are many possible reasons why your Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa application could have been denied. Usually, your refusal letter from Australian Immigration will provide a brief explanation as to why your visa application was refused. Our migration agents can help you understand why the Department refused your application and whether you can appeal the decision by assessing your application.
Some common reasons why applications are denied include insufficient evidence to support the claims made in the application, changes in government policy, or if you have breached any conditions. The Department may also believe that you will not meet the working conditions or health and character requirements. Any incorrect or false claims can also lead to a refusal to grant you a Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) visa.
About Interstaff
Interstaff is an Australian-owned and operated business specialising in providing comprehensive immigration advice throughout all stages of the visa application process. For over 30 years since 1988, our leading visa agents in Perth have been helping individuals and businesses obtain a wide range of visas including business skills visas, temporary and permanent work visas, partner visas, student visas and tourist visas. We offer our immigration and visa services to individuals and businesses both Australia-wide and internationally.
As required by the Australian Law, our migration agents are registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and practice under the Code of Conduct, which governs the Australian migration industry. Not only are our team members qualified professionals, but our visa agents stay abreast of Australia’s migration industry news, rules, regulations, and procedures, and we keep our clients advised of any potential impacts on their application.
For more information, please get in touch with our registered migration agents on 1800 449 858 (Free Call Within Australia) or +61 8 9221 3388 (International).
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