- Student visa (Subclass 500) holder can work more than 40 hours per fortnight
- Previously, students were allowed to work more than 40 hours in the healthcare sector only
- Students working in the Tourism and Hospitality sector will also have no restriction on working hours
- Full time work permit for international students and 408 COVID19 VISA for the temporary visa holder
International students, those who are most affected by the wave of coronavirus last year. Life was becoming hard for them to survive, pay the bills and university fees and maintain their daily life because of the significant loss of the job market. Most of the international students work in the hospitality and tourism sector followed by the health care sector. The government lifted the working hours’ restriction from the health care workers last year because of the COVID19.
There is no certainty for the border to open soon and the job market in hospitality and tourism is booming with no manpower is coming from overseas. So, the Australian government is trying to lift the working hour restriction in the upcoming federal budget. Hospitality and tourism will now also be classified as critical industries alongside other sectors such as agriculture, food processing, health care, disability care, and childcare with similar allowances.
It is believed that this move would fill the staff shortages in these sectors and help Australia recover its economy. Temporary visa holders who work or plan to work in tourism or hospitality can apply for a 408 COVID-19 visa 90 days before their existing visa expires. This visa will allow them to stay in Australia for up to 12 months.
The migration minister also suggested other flexibilities for temporary visa holders and taking feedbacks for further announcements. Now, about 300,000 international students in Australia will be allowed to work beyond their restricted hours according to SBS.
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