mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Employers
Due to the COVID-19 border restrictions, WHMs are unable to travel to Australia at present. What other options are available to access workers to address labour needs?
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has
announced temporary measures to assist temporary visa holders currently in
Australia, including WHMs, who are currently unable to return to their home
country, to extend their stay in Australia. WHMs are already able to work for
the same employer in the agricultural sector for up to 12 months, instead of
the usual six month limitation for other sectors. They can apply for a further
WHM visa if they have undertaken specified work for three months on their
first WHM visa or six months on their second WHM visa.
If a WHM working in the agricultural sector is not eligible for a further visa
and is unable to return to their home country, they can apply for the
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE)
visa to continue working in the agricultural sector. This also applies to
those working in other critical sectors such as food processing, health care,
aged care, disability care or child care.
Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace
laws and should first try to employ Australians. Overseas workers have the
same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees
Frequently Asked Questions
Working holiday makers
What is the Government doing to support industries that rely on Working Holiday Makers?
To support the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care,
aged care, disability care and child care, the Government is providing
flexible arrangements for Working Holiday Makers (WHMs).
WHMs working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work
limitation with one employer and will also be eligible for a further visa to
continue working in these sectors if their current visa is due to expire in
the next six months.
If a WHM is working in the critical sectors but is not eligible for a further
visa and is unable to return to their home country, they can apply for a
Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE)
stream visa.
WHMs who are applying for this visa to work or continue working in a critical
sector must have evidence from their employer that they have ongoing work that
an Australian citizen or permanent resident cannot do.
Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace
laws. Overseas workers have the same rights under Australian workplace law as
all other employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working holiday makers
Can I extend my current visa to stay in Australia if I am unable to return to my home country?
You can apply for a further WHM visa if you have undertaken specified work for
three months on your first WHM visa or six months on your second WHM visa.
The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass
417 (Working Holiday) visa holders:

plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
fishing and pearling in regional Australia
tree farming and felling in regional Australia
mining in regional Australia
construction in regional Australia and
bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019.

The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass
462 (Work and Holiday) visa holders:

plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
fishing and pearling in northern Australia only
tree farming and felling in northern Australia only
tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only
construction in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia and
bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019.

You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. You may be
eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a
decision is made on your visa application.
If you are granted a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government
Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa, work undertaken on this visa does not
count as specified work for the purpose of applying for a second or third WHM
visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders
I am unable to return to my home country due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Can I work for another employer while I wait to return home?
Yes. During the COVID-19 period, workers currently in Australia under the
Seasonal Worker and Pacific Labour schemes will be exempt from the requirement
to work for a single employer and be able to move between approved employers.
This will allow flexibility and continued support for the agriculture sector
in meeting seasonal workforce demands.
Workers and employers are required to advise the Department of Home Affairs
and Department of Education, Skills and Employment about any change in
approved employer, as per existing arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Working Holiday Maker visa holders
Can I count work in COVID-19 critical sectors already considered ‘specified work’ (e.g. plant and animal cultivation), for the purpose of applying for a second or third WHM visa?
Yes. Existing arrangements for specified work will remain in place.
However, the Australian Government has announced temporary measures to assist
WHMs working in the agricultural sector who are not eligible to apply for a
further WHM visa.
WHMs working in the agricultural sector, who are unable to return to their
home country can apply for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian
Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa. This also applies to those
working in other critical sectors such as food processing, health care, aged
care, disability care and child care. This visa will allow you to remain
lawfully in Australia, and continue working, should you wish to do so, until
you can return to your home country.
If you are applying for this visa to work or continue working in a critical
sector, you must have evidence from your employer that you have ongoing work
that an Australian citizen or permanent resident cannot do.
Work undertaken on a subclass 408 visa does not count as specified work for
the purpose of applying for a second or third WHM visa.
Further information is available on the Department of Home Affairs
website.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my COVID-19 Pandemic event visa be valid for?
If you are employed in a critical sector such as agriculture, food processing,
health care, aged care, disability care, and childcare you may be granted a
visa that allows you to stay for up to 12 months.
If you have been in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific
Labour Scheme and are continuing your work in agriculture or another critical
sector you may be granted a visa allowing you to stay for up to 12 months.
If you are not working in a critical sector, you may be granted a visa that
allows you to stay for up to six months to ensure you remain lawful while you
are unable to travel home from Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
I am applying for the visa as a last resort and the application form is asking for my employer details, however I am not employed. What can I do?
From 22 April 2020, an improved ImmiAccount application form will be available
for those applicants who are applying as a visa of last resort for the
COVID-19 AGEE stream of the subclass 408 visa. The question regarding employer
details will remain for those who are applying on the basis of their work in a
critical sector. Working Holiday Makers working in the Agricultural sector,
for example, will need to have prearranged employment if they need to apply
for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if I am not working in a critical sector?
If you are not working in a critical sector, you can only apply for the
COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if you have no other visa options available to
you.
Frequently Asked Questions
International students
What is the Government doing to support student visa holders?
The Government is taking a flexible approach in relation to student visa
conditions where COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions have prevented
conditions being met, such as attendance at class or use of online learning.
The Government has temporarily relaxed the enforcement of the 40 hour work
limitation for the following critical sectors:

International students who are existing workers in major supermarkets to help get stock on shelves due to high demand (implemented 7 March).
International students who are existing workers in the aged care sector are able to work more than 40 hours a fortnight (implemented on 18 March 2020).

Student visa holders who are enrolled in nursing can undertake work to help
and support the health effort against COVID-19 as directed by health
officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on a COVID-19 AGEE Pandemic event visa?
Permission to work will be limited to people working in a critical sector such
as agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, and
childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These sectors may be updated from time to time in response to needs identified
during the
COVID-19 period. While holding a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa, you are only
permitted to work in critical sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Pacific Labour Scheme visa holders
I am unable to return to my home country due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Can I work for another employer while I wait to return home?
Yes. During the COVID-19 period, workers currently in Australia under the
Pacific Labour Scheme will be exempt from the requirement to work for a single
employer and be able to move between approved employers. This will allow
flexibility and continued support for the agriculture sector in meeting
seasonal workforce demands. Workers and employers are required to advise the
Department of Home Affairs and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about
any change in approved employer, as per existing arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Working Holiday Maker visa holders
I am unable to return to my home country due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Can I extend my current visa to stay in Australia?
You can apply for a further WHM visa if you have undertaken specified work for
three months on your first WHM visa or six months on your second WHM visa.
The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass
417 (Working Holiday) visa holders:

plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia; o fishing and pearling in regional Australia
tree farming and felling in regional Australia
mining in regional Australia
construction in regional Australia and
bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31July 2019.

The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass
462 (Work and Holiday) visa holders:

plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
fishing and pearling in northern Australia only
tree farming and felling in northern Australia only
tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only
construction in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia and
bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31July 2019.

You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. You may be
eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a
decision is made on your visa application.
If you are granted a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government
Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa, work undertaken on this visa does not
count as specified work for the purpose of applying for a second or third WHM
visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working holiday makers
Due to COVID-19, I couldn’t complete the specified work I need to apply for my second or third WHM visa. Can I extend my visa to give me more time to look for work?
If you have not completed the 3 or 6 months of specified work required to
apply for a second or third WHM visa, you should apply for another visa to
remain lawfully in Australia until you are able to depart.
If you are working in the agriculture, food processing, health care, aged
care, disability care or child care sectors, you are not eligible for a
further visa and you are unable to return to your home country, you can apply
for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event
(AGEE) stream visa. This visa will allow you to remain lawfully in Australia,
and continue working until you can return to your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa cost?
There is no Visa Application Charge for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa and
no subsequent temporary application charge.
To not be charged for this visa you will be required to select ‘YES’ to the
Visa application charge concession question on page 2 and then select ‘NIL
VAC’.
You might have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and
biometrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
International students
I am unable to support myself in Australia, what can I do?
If you are unable to support yourself, you should make arrangements to return
to your usual country of residence, noting that it is a condition of all
student visas that holders have access to funds to support themselves for the
duration of their stay in Australia.
If you have held a student visa for 12 months or longer and cannot meet your
immediate living expenses, you can access up to $10,000 of your Australian
superannuation tax-free in the 2019-20 financial year.
The Government will continue to engage with the international education sector
which is providing some financial support for international students facing
hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
I am on a bridging visa. Can I apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa?
Temporary visa holders, including bridging visa holders can apply for the
COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if they meet all of the eligibility criteria.
Bridging visa holders who have a s.48 bar and/or who have not held a
substantive temporary visa in the 28 days prior to application will not be
able to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Agriculture is a critical sector that supplies essential goods to all
Australians.
To support our agriculture sector, the Government has announced temporary visa
measures to help with the continuity of essential goods and services in
response to COVID-19.
The Government will apply flexible arrangements to allow critical workers,
including Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme participants and
Working Holiday Makers, to extend their stay in Australia.
These temporary arrangements will allow critical workers to remain in
Australia, continue to support the agriculture sector, and stabilise the
workforce in this critical sector
Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme workers will have visa
conditions temporarily relaxed and given options to extend their stay in
Australia for a defined period to support the agriculture sector.


Seasonal Worker Programme workers with visas due to expire will be able to apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.


Pacific Labour Scheme workers with visas due to expire can apply for a new Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) Pacific Labour scheme stream visa.


Workers currently in Australia under these programs will also be exempt from the requirement to work for a single employer and be able to move between approved employers, allowing flexibility and continued support for the agriculture sector in meeting seasonal workforce demands.


Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme arrangements, including those relating to employers, will be carried over to the new visa arrangements, continuing the link with the agricultural sector.


In addition, Working Holiday Makers who are working in critical sectors (i.e.
agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care or child
care) will be exempt from the six month work limitation with one employer and
eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian
Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Working Holiday Maker visa holders
I am overseas. Can I be granted a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) visa (COVID-19 pandemic event)?
The COVID-19 pandemic event visa can only be granted to people already in
Australia who have ongoing work in a critical sector, who are not eligible for
a further visa and who are unable to return to their home country due to
COVID-19 border restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Who is eligible to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa?
The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is available to people who are:

in Australia
are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19
have 28 days or less remaining on their current visa or where their last temporary visa has expired less than 28 days ago
are not eligible for any other visa based on their intended activities or
have evidence from their employer that they have ongoing work in a critical sector and that an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seasonal Workers
There are around 8,000 Seasonal and Pacific workers in Australia.
Seasonal and Pacific workers whose visas are expiring can apply for a further
visa to allow them to stay in Australia and support the agriculture sector,
subject to Labour Market testing. This is consistent with the principle that
visa settings should not displace job opportunities for Australians.
Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour scheme workers, as well as Working
Holiday Makers and other visa holders working in agriculture, will be able to
extend their stay in Australia to support the agriculture sector:

Seasonal Worker Programme workers with visas due to expire will be able to apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.
Pacific Labour Scheme workers with visas due to expire can apply for a new Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) Pacific Labour scheme stream visa.

Workers currently in Australia under these programs will also be exempt from
the requirement to work for a single employer and be able to move between
approved employers, allowing flexibility and continued support for the
agriculture sector in meeting seasonal workforce demands.
Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme arrangements, including
those relating to employers, will be carried over to the new visa
arrangements, continuing the link with the agricultural sector.
Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour scheme workers who cannot meet
their immediate living expenses can access up to $10,000 of their Australian
superannuation tax-free in the 2019-20 financial year.
More information about these temporary arrangements is available on the
Department’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary visa measures supporting the agriculture sector
Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders
I am unable to return to my home country due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Can I extend my current visa to stay in Australia?
It is not possible to extend your visa or apply for a new Temporary Work
(International Relations) (subclass 403) Seasonal Worker Programme stream
visa, but you must apply for a different visa before your current visa
expires.
The Australian Government has announced temporary measures to assist temporary
visa holders in Australia working in the agricultural sector, who are
currently unable to return to their home country, to extend their stay in
Australia.
You can apply for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government
Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa (from 00:00 AEDT on 4 April 2020). This visa
will not have a visa application charge (VAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic
event. Employer arrangements similar to the Seasonal Worker Programme will
also apply to the subclass 408 visa. This visa will allow you to remain
lawfully in Australia, and continue working, should you wish to do so, until
you can return to your home country. Further information is available on the
Department of Home Affairs
website.
You may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to
remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your visa
application.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Pandemic - Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream of the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa?
You should only apply for this visa is you are unable to depart Australia,
your temporary visa expires in less than 28 days (or did not expire more than
28 days ago) and you have no other visa options available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand 444 Special Category Visa (SCV)
What should I do if I am unable to support myself in Australia and am not eligible for one of the above payments?
Under recently announced measures, New Zealand citizens and permanent
residents can access up to $10,000 of their Australian superannuation tax-free
in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21.
If you are unable to support yourself, are not eligible for any of the above
payments, and unable to find any employment, you should consider returning to
New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working holiday makers
I am on a Temporary visa and I have a job offer to work in a critical sector. Can I apply for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa?
If you have evidence from your employer that you have ongoing work in a
critical sector (i.e. agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care,
disability care or child care) that an Australian citizen or permanent
resident cannot do, you may be eligible for the Temporary Activity (subclass
408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa.