During the pandemic the Australian Government introduced the Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) visa (Pandemic Event visa). This visa was introduced in order to fill labour shortages in the Australian market given the lack of temporary workers able to enter Australia due to the closure of Australia’s borders.
This visa stream enabled applicants who were already onshore in Australia and employed by an Australian business to continue working in Australia for up to 12 months.
Now that Australia’s borders have reopened and the number of temporary visa holder numbers have increased, the Australian Government has decided to close the Pandemic Event ‘COVID visa.’
From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will be closed to new applicants. Applicants already holding a Pandemic Event visa will be eligible for a subsequent Pandemic Event visa until the visa program completely closes to new applications on 1 February 2024.
For advice and assistance regarding employing overseas workers or applying for an Australian work visa, please feel free to contact us at info@hartmanimmigration.com.au.
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