408 visa for COVID-19

Holders of temporary visas who are currently employed or able to work in critical sectors may qualify for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.

Working holiday makers employed in critical sectors who haven’t completed the 3 or 6 months of specified work required for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa and are unable to leave Australia, may be eligible for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408 AGEE stream) visa. This visa allows them to stay in Australia legally and continue working until they can return home. Holders of TSS 482 visas or 457 visas who have lost their jobs may also apply for the 408 visa (COVID-19 stream).

Those in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program, whose visas are expiring, can extend their stay by applying for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408 AGEE stream) visa.

Australian Government Endorsed Events

This temporary visa allows you to come to Australia to participate in events endorsed by the Australian Government.

Stay Duration

You can stay for the duration of the event or up to 4 years. However, the 408 COVID stream is expected to grant stays between 6 to 12 months.

Cost

The COVID-19 Pandemic visa is free, and no STAC fees apply.

Processing Times

Processing times for this visa are not available.

COVID-19 Pandemic Visa

This visa allows you to:

  • Stay in Australia if you have no other visa options and can’t leave due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
  • Stay to assist in critical sectors such as healthcare, disability and aged care, childcare, and agriculture during the pandemic.
  • Travel to and from Australia as often as you wish while the visa is valid.
  • Include family members in your application.

Application Location

You can apply for this visa from inside or outside Australia, but 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 the health and character requirements, have adequate health insurance, be able to support yourself and dependents, and be a genuine temporary entrant.

Critical Sectors

Healthcare, disability, and aged care: This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff, including volunteers. It also includes support and specialist staff essential to maintaining Australia’s health and social care sectors, as well as those involved in the production and distribution of medical supplies and protective equipment.

Childcare: This sector includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers, and specialist education professionals who are essential during the COVID-19 response.

Agriculture: This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale, and delivery, as well as essential providers of other key goods, such as hygiene products and veterinary medicines.

Other key sectors may 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 expands the critical sectors to include tourism and hospitality, in addition to agriculture, food processing, healthcare, aged care, disability care, and childcare.

Workers in these sectors can apply for the 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their current visa expires and remain in Australia for up to 12 additional 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”

VisaEnvoy’s Coronavirus Action Plan

The VisaEnvoy team has implemented measures to ensure continued service for clients. We can work remotely if self-isolation or office closures occur, including accessing client files, emails, and phones, lodging applications, and managing documents.

Book a consultation today to discuss your visa options with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne.