The COVID-19 crisis has had a very negative impact on the economy around the world. At the heat of the pandemic, most industries were suffering from the downturn in their sectors that caused many companies to go bankrupt due to the situation of COVID-19.
This scenario was no different in Australia. Several industries in Australia were threatened or had to close their doors temporarily or permanently. Currently, despite the resumption of regularity in several industries due to the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and the relaxation of restrictions on the movement of people, several sectors of the Australian economy are still struggling to recover. The consequences of the restrictions of COVID-19 crisis triggered a shortage of labour in several industries that were previously supplied by international labour.
The shortage of labour has lasted longer than expected, which has forced the Australian Government to make concessions on visas for internationals in terms of work permits, ease of permanent residency pathways, increase in applicant’s age for visa applications, for example.
Why is this important for me to know?
Depending on the visa you hold, some of the visas that had their conditions changed to compensate for the lack of workers in various industries were:
- Student Visa (500) – In January 2021 the condition that international students could only work part-time was removed allowing these students to work full-time. This condition is still in place until further notice from the Australian Government.
- Skill Shortage Visa (482) – Internationals who were in Australia during the period from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021 for at least 12 months and whose are 482 (short-term list), the visa holder, will now have access to the permanent resident visa 186 under the TRT (Temporary Transaction Stream) (subject to further conditions)
- Events Endorsement Stream “Covid Visa” (408) – A specific stream was created (COVID-19) to retain internationals whose professions were in sectors considered emerging or critical and for which Australia had a need. Later, this visa was extended to all internationals who could not leave Australia due to the difficulty of returning to their home countries as a consequence of the flight shortage. Currently this visa has been extended to several internationals, and the last adjustments are being made by the Department of Home Affairs to withdraw the 408 Covid Stream visa program. Also, work restrictions on this visa have eased.
- Working Holiday Visa (417) – Some of the concessions granted to holders of the 417 visa were the increase in the age to apply for this visa for applicants from certain countries in order to increase the number of international applications for this visa, in addition to expanding this program to applicants from countries which previously did not participate in this program. Also granted from 19 January 2022 to 31 December 2022, the 6-month work limitation has been temporarily relaxed, which has helped employers retain trained workers.
With the concessions made by the Australian Government, sectors of various industries are gradually returning to what is now the post Covid normal.If you have any questions in relation to visa conditions please do not hesitate to contact us on ross@crystalmigration.net or (02) 9189 2988.