Exciting news for students: all overseas students have unlimited work rights!

Student visa working hours had been modified and student Visa holders will be able to work more than 40 hours per fortnight. WHM (Working Holiday Makers) are now able to stay with the same employer for more than 6 months.

These temporary arrangements were announced by the Treasurer and the Minister this week to relax the cap on working hours to aid in the recovery of Australia’s economy. For work in any economic sector, the restriction has been lifted. Following an announcement on 19 January 2022, this temporary arrangement went into force immediately. The government will evaluate these arrangements in April 2022.

With these measures in place:

• Course enrolment, attendance, and satisfactory progress are required.
• Home Affairs and the ABF (Active Based Funding) will not revoke students visas who work more than 40 hours a fortnight.
• Home Affairs or the ABF (Active Based Funding) will not send students for working-hours violations under section 235 of the Act. 
• Home Affairs or the ABF (Active Based Funding) will not send employers or labour-hire agencies to permit students to work in violation of their visa terms.

Working Holiday Makers can work more than 6 months with the same employer

As announced this week by the Treasurer and Minister, the Working Holiday Makers will no longer be restricted to working for the same employer or organization for six months, beginning 19 January 2022 through 31 December 2022. To extend this employment, Working Holiday Makers will not require permission. Australia requires those on a WHM visa to comply with its vaccination requirements unless exempt from travel requirements. This is excellent news for those who want to extend their stay in Australia by finding a new job.

Students and WHS can receive a refund of their visa fees

A new amendment to the Migration (Refund of Visa Application Charge) Instrument 2021 has been announced and published on 21 January 2022. According to DHA, the amendment will provide refunds to student and Working Holiday Maker visa applicants under specific circumstances.

Student visa holders

• The VAC will be refunded to student visa holders who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022.
• All new applicants who arrive within that period are eligible for the refund, including current offshore visa holders.
• Students will have until 31 December 2022 to apply for a refund.

Working Holiday Makers

• WHMs arriving in Australia between 19 January and 19 April 2022 will refund the VAC fee for WHM visa applications.
• New applicants who arrive within that period and current offshore visa holders are eligible for the refund.

Bridging Visa B holders may be denied entry to Australia until travel restrictions were lifted

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) advises that the travel restrictions on Bridging Visa B holders will remain in place until they are no longer needed. This means people who hold a Bridging Visa B may be denied entry to Australia until the travel restrictions are lifted unless they have an approved exemption or a valid visa. The bridging access is granted on arrival in Australia to allow foreign nationals who cannot meet Australia’s health, character or security requirements for permanent residence to enter the country while their application for a permanent visa is pending.

For more information, visit the Home Affairs Website. Book an appointment with Pace Migration: Education & Consultancy; our agent will happily assist you with your visa application and other migration issues. Enquiry now!

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