Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) - COVID-19 Stream

Who Is Eligible?

• Holders of temporary visas currently working or able to work in critical sectors.
• Working Holiday Makers employed in critical sectors who can’t meet specified work requirements for other visas.
• Holders of TSS 482 or 457 visas who have lost their jobs.
• Participants in the Seasonal Worker Program with expiring visas.

Australian Government Endorsed Events

This visa allows participation in events endorsed by the Australian Government, with a stay duration aligned to the event (up to 4 years). For COVID-19 pandemic cases, stays are typically between 6 to 12 months.

Cost

• The COVID-19 Pandemic visa is free.
• No STAC fees apply.

Key Benefits

• Stay in Australia if no other visa options are available.
• Work in critical sectors such as healthcare, childcare, and agriculture.
• Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid.
• Include family members in the application.

Application Location

You can apply for this visa from inside or outside Australia. However, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted.

Endorsement Not Required

You do not need a written endorsement to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa. This visa is available to individuals who are onshore with 28 days or less remaining on their current visa or whose substantive visa expired within the past 28 days.

To be granted a 408 visa, you must:

• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have adequate health insurance.
• Be able to support yourself and dependents.
• Be a genuine temporary entrant.

Critical Sectors

The 408 visa COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream supports critical sectors to address workforce shortages. Eligible critical sectors include:

Healthcare, Disability, and Aged Care

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, and social workers.
• Care workers and other frontline health and social care staff, including volunteers.
• Support and specialist staff essential to maintaining Australia’s health and social care sectors.
• Those involved in the production and distribution of medical supplies and protective equipment.

Childcare

This sector includes:

• Nursery and teaching staff.
• Social workers.
• Specialist education professionals who are essential during the COVID-19 response.

Agriculture

This sector includes those involved in:

• Food production, processing, distribution, sale, and delivery.
• Essential providers of other key goods, such as hygiene products and veterinary medicines.

Other Key Sectors

Other critical sectors include:

• Public services.
• Local and national government.
• Public safety and national security.
• Transport.
• Utilities, communication, and financial services.

Update (11 May 2021): Tourism and Hospitality Workers

Temporary visa holders working in or intending to work in tourism and hospitality can access the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa for up to 12 months. This update expands the critical sectors to include:

• Tourism and hospitality.
• Agriculture.
• Food processing.
• Healthcare.
• Aged care and disability care.
• Childcare.

Workers in these sectors can apply for the 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their current visa expires. This visa allows them to remain in Australia for up to an additional 12 months.

Essential Workers in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector

This includes but is not limited to:

• Supermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Butchers, grocers, markets
• Bottle shops
• Petrol stations
• Pharmacies
• Allied health centres
• Shopping centres (eateries in food courts permitted for takeaway only)
• Schools open for “essential workers”

Application Details

• Can be applied for from within or outside Australia.
• Must meet health and character requirements.
• No endorsement required for the COVID-19 Pandemic stream.

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