ALERT: Pandemic Event for 408 Temporary Activity visa

The Department of Home Affairs has included the COVID-19 pandemic event in the Australian Government endorsed event under the 408 Temporary Activity visa by virtue of a legislative instrument on 3 April 2020 which relates to persons who are:

• in Australia; and
• unable to depart Australia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
• either

- the holder of a temporary visa that is 28 days or less from ceasing to be in effect; or
​- was the holder of a temporary visa that ceased to be in effect not more than 28 days before the application for the 408 visa; and

• unable to make a valid application, or meet the relevant visa application criteria for a visa of the same subclass or other temporary visas

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The Department in its explanatory statement explained that the purpose of this new event is to implement a measure to respond to critical workforce shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to areas including, but not limited to, agriculture, aged care and public health.
 
It is designed to allow temporary visa holders who are engaged in, or have the relevant skills, to undertake critical work relating to supply of essential goods and services, provided the applicant falls within the class of persons specified above.
 
Please contact us for further information/advice if you think you might be eligible to apply for the 408 visa.