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    Latest COVID-19 Update on Australia Immigration, March 31, 2021

    Immigration Medical Examinations in Brisbane

    Due to further COVID-19 Restrictions, all Immigration Medical Examinations will temporarily cease in Brisbane for a period of 3 days starting from Monday 29 March 2021 (5pm AEST) until Thursday 1 April (5pm AEST). This will be reviewed in line with further public health announcements.

    Subclass 403 visa holders in the Pacific Labour Scheme

    You can apply for another subclass 403 visa in the Pacific Labour Scheme where you and your employer are endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to participate in the scheme. This visa will allow you to stay lawfully in Australia and continue working until you can return to your home country.

    Subclass 403 visa holders in the Seasonal Worker Program

    Your visa cannot be extended. But, the Australian Government has introduced new measures for those working in critical sectors in response to COVID-19.

    You may be eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa, if:

    • Your visa will expire in 90 days or less
    • Your visa has already expired, but no longer than 28 days ago
    • You are working in a COVID-19 critical sector of health care, aged and disability care, childcare, or agriculture and food processing.

    The same Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme arrangements, including those relating to employers, will also apply to the new visa.

    Subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic event visa holders under the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme

    If you currently hold a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa that is about to expire you may be eligible for another COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if:

    • you wish to remain in Australia to continue working in a critical sector under the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme; or
    • you are unable to depart Australia before the expiry of your visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions

    Working for another employer

    Workers in the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme are normally only allowed to work for one Sponsor/Approved Employer, unless the Department of Home Affairs gives you permission to change.

    During the COVID-19 period, you can move between Sponsors/Approved Employers. If you need to move between Sponsors/Approved Employers, your employer must contact:

    • the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, if you are a Seasonal Worker
    • the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, if you are working in the Pacific Labour Scheme.

    Under these temporary arrangements, employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws and you will continue to have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.

    Visa condition 8503 (No Further Stay)

    For the subclass 403 visa in the Seasonal Worker Program, during the COVID-19 period, the condition 8503 (No Further Stay) attached to your visa will be automatically waived to allow you to apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.

    You will not need to apply for a waiver of condition 8503.

    Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/