Category: Immigration News

 

COVID-19 testing and treatment

Even if you don’t have a visa, or are unsure about your visa status, you must follow public health directions. If you are feeling unwell, seek medical attention and get tested for COVID-19.

State and territory governments are offering free COVID-19 testing and treatment.

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

I have, or wish to apply for, a Student visa

Support for international students and graduates

Australia remains a high quality and welcoming destination for international students. The Government has announced a range of visa measures to support students.

The measures will be temporary and will continue for as long as necessary. See Minister’s media release.

Student visa fee

We will waive the visa application fee to allow you to lodge a further student visa application to complete your study. This will be available to students who held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and who couldn’t complete their course within their original visa validity due to the impacts of COVID-19. This includes students who:

• deferred their study as they were unable to enter Australia due to travel restrictions
• were forced to reduce to a part-time study load
• were unable to complete their work-based training or placements.

This measure is not intended for students who are applying for a new student visa due to ordinary reasons (including if you have failed a course or a unit of study, deferred for personal reasons or voluntarily reduced your study load.)

To have your application for a fee waiver considered, you must apply for a Student visa and attach a completed Form 1545 COVID-19 Impacted Student (PDF – 228 KB) from your education provider with a valid Student visa application.

You must apply for your Student visa online.

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply.

If applying for a fee waiver in Australia, a Bridging visa will not be issued automatically as the fee exemption must be checked first.

This waiver only applies to the visa application fee.

Refunds will not be available for students who have already applied for a Student visa. Only new applications will be eligible to have the application fee waived.

Form 1545 COVID-19

Education providers need to be satisfied that a student, who held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020, could not complete their course within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.

Questions 6 and 7 on the form only need to be completed for students who have deferred their study.

Students can provide further evidence of their COVID-19 related impacts with the completed form.

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa eligibility

We have changed the requirements for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa for those who have been impacted by COVID-19:

• online study undertaken outside Australia as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions will count towards the Australian Study Requirement for existing and new student visa holders
• graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions will be able to apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia (where they have met all the requirements).

Online study outside Australia is counted from the time of Student visa grant.

If you are applying from outside Australia you must hold or have held a Student visa in the past 12 months to apply.

Offshore student visa grants

While we have continued to process applications, we have recommenced granting visas for students who lodged a Student visa application outside Australia where all the requirements are met.

While travel restrictions remain in place, you cannot travel to Australia.

Flexible timeframes for additional information – English tests, biometrics and health

We allow additional time for you to provide English language test results if you were unable to take a test because of COVID-19. Additional time will also be allowed for biometrics collection and health checks where COVID-19 disrupted access to services.

Where you have made an appointment for one or more of these services, which is more than 28 days into the future, you may attach your booking confirmation in ImmiAccount.

Current Student visa conditions

We’re taking a flexible approach where COVID‑19 restrictions have prevented Student visa conditions being met. You will not be in breach of your Student visa conditions if you:

• have an approved course deferral
• are studying online.

You are also temporarily allowed to work more than 40 hours per fortnight if you are:

• employed in the health sector, enrolled in a health related course (such as nursing or medicine) and are directed by a health official to assist in the effort against COVID‑19
• employed in aged care by an Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider before 8 September 2020
• employed by a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider before 23 April 2020
• employed in the agriculture sector

See Temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders.

When to notify us

You don’t need to notify us if you return home, or if your study situation changes.
Your visa remains valid until you lodge another visa application, or your visa expires. The status of your visa will not change if you return home or defer your studies.

Education providers can issue a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and enrol students to study online. If you hold a valid student visa, your education provider will provide us with your new CoE.

If you have an open student visa application, you can attach your new CoE to your application through ImmiAccount.

Students with financial difficulties

Student visa holders should stay in touch with their education providers about the range of support available to them.

Many universities and education providers offer support to students such as:

• including deferral of fees, studies or payments
• food and accommodation support
• mental health and other medical support.

For more information, see Study Australia website.

Return of international students to Australia

Arrangements for the return of international students to Australia will be made once it is safe to do so, and in a way which protects the Australian community.

More information

Information for international students is available across a range of Government agencies, including:

• Australian Government COVID-19for latest news, updates and advice.
• Department of Education, Skills and Employmentand email students@dese.gov.au
• Department of Healthfor Overseas Student Health Cover
• International Student Ombudsmanfor COVID-19 related complaints
• Study Australiafor information on support services.

 

COVID-19 restrictions

Australian travel restrictions

The Australian Government have strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. Currently only Australian citizens, Permanent residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. You cannot come to Australia unless you are in an exempt category or have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions.

For more information on whether you can travel and how to seek an exemption to the travel restrictions refer to the Department of Home Affairs website here.

Visa processing arrangements and disruption of services

We are prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt categories to support urgent travel.

A number of services are impacted by the current COVID-19 situation resulting in considerable delays to applicants obtaining requested information. We are aware applicants are experiencing delays in obtaining biometrics, health checks, police clearances, documents from government agencies and many others.

You will be afforded additional time to provide this information.  You do not need to contact us to seek an extension of time.  Please attach your documents to your online application through ImmiAccount as soon as you are able.  Please do not send duplicate documents or confirmation emails to this mailbox.

Biometric collection appointments for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal

Biometric collection services have resumed at the following existing biometrics collection locations:

– VFS Thimphu on Monday 2 November

– VFS Dhaka on Monday 2 November

– VFS Kathmandu on Wednesday 4 November

The resumption of biometrics collection services through the Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) and Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCCs) is dependent on in-country COVID-19 restrictions.

In addition, collection centres offer enquiry and assisted online lodgement services. Paper applications cannot currently be accepted due to COVID restrictions and border closures.

You can use your existing Requirement to provide personal identifiers (biometrics) letter to book and attend an appointment. If you have applied for your visa online, a copy of this letter is available in your ImmiAccount.

You must contact your local AVAC or ABCC to arrange an appointment. You can check our website for updated information on AVACs and ABCCs including contact information and opening times in your country. See: Offices outside Australia

Some visa holders, or other persons, who have paid a Visa Application Charge (VAC) in connection with a visa application and who have been affected by Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions can access a refund or a waiver of their Visa Application Charge (VAC).

If you are eligible for a VAC refund, use the Covid-19 travel restrictions VAC refund request form.

For further information about other VAC refund provisions, refer to Getting a refund.

Prospective Marriage visa

Changes have been introduced to support Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) visa holders, former visa holders and visa applicants unable to enter Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Visa Extensions

On 10 December 2020, Prospective Marriage visa holders or former visa holders who were outside Australia on that day, and who held a Prospective Marriage visa at any time between 6 October 2020 and 10 December 2020 had their visa validity period extended to 31 March 2022.

Individual visa holders have been notified by the Department.

You can use VEVO to check your visa details and conditions.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online

Visa Application Charge (VAC) refunds

Refunds are being provided where COVID-19 related travel restrictions have impacted the ability of the visa holder to travel to Australia.

If your Prospective Marriage visa validity period was extended on 10 December 2020, the payer of the VAC may request a refund if:

• you have not travelled to Australia after 10 December 2020 as a holder of this visa; and
• at the time of request for the refund, either:
  • Your visa has ceased to be in effect or was cancelled at your request; or
  • If your visa is currently in effect, you have asked the Minister to cancel your visa.

Generally a refund request can only be made by the person shown as the ‘payer’ on the original VAC receipt. Refund requests must be made by 31 December 2022.

If your visa is still in effect, prior to requesting a refund, you must first use your ImmiAccount to request the cancellation of your Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa.

If you are eligible for a VAC refund, use the Covid-19 travel restrictions VAC refund request form.

Former Prospective Marriage visa holders

If your Prospective Marriage visa ceased between 20 March 2020 and 5 October 2020 the payer of the VAC may be eligible for a VAC refund if your visa ceased while you were outside Australia.

Alternatively, the payer of the VAC may be eligible for a VAC refund if your visa ceased between 20 March 2020 and 5 October 2020 while you were in Australia, and you were unable to marry your sponsor before your visa ceased because of restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include for example quarantine requirements and intrastate or interstate travel restrictions. Refunds are not available if you did not marry your sponsor because COVID-19 related restrictions:

• limited the number of guests able to attend your proposed wedding
• prevented guests, or particular guests, from attending your proposed wedding
• prevented the proposed wedding taking place at the time or location preferred by you and your sponsor.

Generally a refund request can only be made by the person shown as the ‘payer’ on the original VAC receipt. If you are eligible for a VAC refund, use the Covid-19 travel restrictions VAC refund request form.

VAC refunds are not available if:

• your Prospective Marriage visa was cancelled by the Minister (unless you have requested for it to be cancelled)
• you had lodged an application for a Partner (subclass 801) visa and paid a reduced VAC because you held a Prospective Marriage visa
• at the time your visa ceased you or your sponsor had advised the Department that you no longer intend to marry.

For former Prospective Marriage visa holders, the processing of any subsequent Prospective Marriage or Partner visa applications made will be given priority. Processing times for applications will depend on whether the application is complete and meets all the requirements for the visa.

Prospective Marriage visa applicants

To assist Prospective Marriage visa applicants unable to enter Australia due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, Prospective Marriage visas granted from 27 February 2021 may have a visa validity period of between 9 to 15 months. This is a change from the previous standard 9 months validity. The validity period for a Prospective Marriage visa granted on or after 27 February 2021 will depend on the circumstances of the applicant.

You can use VEVO to check your visa details and conditions.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online

Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Program

To be eligible for a VAC refund for a Pacific Labour Scheme or Seasonal Worker Program subclass 403 visa, the following must be met:

• the visa was granted  before 20 March 2020
• the visa holder could not travel to Australia on that visa for the first time before their visa arrival date
• the refund request is submitted on or before 31 December 2021
• the visa ceased before the decision on the refund request
• the visa was not cancelled for reasons other than at the visa holder’s request.

Generally a refund request can only be made by the person shown as the ‘payer’ on the original VAC receipt.

If you are eligible for a VAC refund, use the Covid-19 travel restrictions VAC refund request form. VAC refund requests must be lodged by 31 December 2021.

Temporary Skill Shortage or Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders

If you are outside Australia and held a Temporary Skill Shortage or Temporary Work (Skilled) visa on or after 1 February 2020, which has since ceased, you will be eligible for a VAC waiver for a subsequent Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa application if:

• you were unable to enter Australia because of COVID-19 travel restrictions before your visa ceased; or
• you travelled to Australia and departed after 1 February 2020 but were unable to return to Australia before your visa ceased due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Applicants are required to have a valid nomination. Applications must be lodged before 31 December 2022.

Working Holiday Makers

If you were granted a Working Holiday Maker visa and it expired or will expire between 20 March 2020 and 31 December 2021 while you are outside Australia, you may be able to receive a VAC waiver for a future application, or a refund. A VAC waiver will be available for a future application if you were unable to travel to Australia because of travel restrictions or had to leave Australia early due to COVID-19.

If you cannot be granted another WHM visa because you no longer meet the age requirement, you can request a VAC refund using the Covid-19 travel restrictions VAC refund request form.

Applications with a VAC waiver and VAC refund requests must be lodged by 31 December 2022.

Applications with a VAC waiver for working holiday makers will be available in mid-2021.

Further information will be made available once arrangements are finalised.

Visitors

Visitor visa applicants outside Australia whose previous Visitor (subclass 600) visa expired, or will expire, between 20 March 2020 and 31 December 2021 may be able to receive a VAC waiver for a future Visitor visa. Travellers who hold a visa must also have an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions before travel and will need to apply for this separately to their visa application. Apply for travel exemption. Applications for a future Visitor visa with a VAC waiver must be lodged by 31 December 2022.

Summary of VAC refund, waiver and visa extension measures

Visa category and subclasses	Details of measure
Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) (subclass 403)	Refund of VAC for visa holders unable to travel prior to border closure on 20 March 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Refunds must be requested by 31 December 2021. Visa has ceased before a decision on the refund is made. Visa was not cancelled for reasons other than at the visa holder’s request. Generally a refund request can only be made by the person shown as the ‘payer’ on the original VAC receipt.
Temporary Skill Shortage or Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclasses 482 and 457)	Waiver for VAC associated with subsequent applications for people who held a TSS or subclass 457 visa and were either unable to travel to Australia or had travelled and departed but were unable to return before their visa ceased due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. For those who held a TSS or subclass 457 visa while travel restrictions were in place and need a new visa to re-enter Australia.
Working Holiday Maker (WHM) (subclasses 462 and 417)	Waiver of VAC for a future application made outside Australia by current and former WHM visa holders who were unable to travel to Australia due to travel restrictions or departed due to COVID-19. Refund of VAC for current and former WHM visa holders who were unable to travel to Australia due to travel restrictions or departed early due to COVID-19, are outside Australia, and unable to apply for a new WHM with a VAC waiver as they have now passed the relevant age limit. No maximum time that a former WHM visa holder must have spent in Australia before departure. New visa application with a VAC waiver or a VAC refund request must be made by 31 December 2022.
Visitor (subclass 600)	From 27 February 2021, eligible current or former Visitor visa holders outside of Australia can apply for a Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family or Approved Destination Status streams, without paying a VAC. Applications must be made by 31 December 2022. To be eligible, the applicant must have held a Visitor visa that was granted on or before 20 March 2020 while they were outside Australia, and expired, or will expire, between 20 March 2020 and 31 December 2021, and which was either: a multiple entry visa, or a single entry visa that was not used for travel to Australia.
Prospective Marriage (subclass 300)	Refund of VAC or extension of visa validity period for affected visa holders who were or will be unable to enter Australia before their visa ceases due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, or who were unable to marry their sponsor because of exceptional circumstances arising out of COVID-19, for example quarantine requirements and intrastate or interstate travel requirements. Refunds must be requested by 31 December 2022.