Australia Implements Changes to Temporary Skilled Visa Arrangements Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

April 24, 2020POEA ADVISORY NO. 54-20AUSTRALIA IMPLEMENTS CHANGES TO TEMPORARY SKILLED VISA ARRANGEMENTS DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMICThe government of Australia has announced a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements including the category of temporary skilled visa holders during the COVID-19 crisis. The changes aim to protect the health of Australians, support critical industries and assist in the rapid recovery of the economy after the virus crisis. aDSIHcThe following measures cover temporary skilled visa holders whether in the 2-year or 4-year visa category:• Those who have stood down, but were not laid off will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements.• Businesses will be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa conditions.• The visa holders will be able to access up to A$10,000 of their superannuation in the current financial year.• Those visa holders who have been laid off due to corona virus should leave Australia in line with existing visa conditions...