Backpacker Visa Extensions

Backpacker visa extensions are now available. Due to coronavirus, working holiday makers who are working in health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare will be eligible for a further visa to keep working in those sectors. They will be able to do this if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.

Currently, here are about 118,000 people on a Working Holiday visa (or backpacker visa).

Also, International students  working in aged care and as nurses have had their hours extended from the normal 40 hours per fortnight. That is designed to support those critical sectors.

Backpcker Visa Extensions

International students working in the major supermarkets have also had their hours extended to help get stock on shelves during current high demand periods.

In another change to cope with the coronavirus pandemic in Australia, most temporary visa holders with work rights will now be able to access their Australian superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis.

Changes are also geared to enabling temporary visa holders to remain in key industries, such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing.

Importantly, they can help boost front line health numbers, get food from farms to our shops and ensure critical services continue.

Temporary visa holders are extremely valuable to the Australian economy and way of life.

Changes to temporary visa holder arrangements during the coronavirus crisis in order to protect the health and livelihoods of Australians, support critical industries, and assist with the rapid recovery post the virus.

But temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home.

There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa.

For more information and advice Text/Phone +61408955770 or email [email protected]

See: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/Coronavirus-and-Temporary-Visa-holders.aspx