Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408)

Temporary visas holders currently employed or capable of being employed in critical sectors may be eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.

Working holiday makers employed in critical sectors who have not completed the 3 or 6 months of specified work required to apply for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa, and are unable to leave Australia, may be eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa. This visa will allow working holiday makers to remain lawfully in Australia, and continue working, if they wish to do so, until they can return to their home country. TSS 482 visa / 457 visa holders who have lost their jobs may also be eligible to apply for the 408 visa (COVID-19 stream).

Those already in Australia with the Seasonal Worker Program whose visas are expiring, will be able to extend their stay in Australia by applying for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.

Australian Government endorsed events

This temporary visa lets you come to Australia to participate in events which are endorsed by the Australian Government.

408 eligibility check 408 Visa for COVID-19 FAQ Update on 408 Visa for COVID-19 Pandemic.

Stay

For the duration of the event or up to 4 years however we anticipate the 408 COVID stream will be between 6 to 12 months.

Cost

COVID-19 Pandemic visa: Free & STAC fees don’t apply.

Processing times

Processing times are not available for this visa.

COVID-19 Pandemic

• remain in Australia if you have no other visa options and are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
• remain in Australia to assist in critical sectors including healthcare, disability and aged care, childcare and agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this visa you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid and include members of the family unit in your application.

Apply from

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application. You must be in Australia to be granted the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.

Endorsement not required

You do not need to be endorsed in writing to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa. The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is only available to people who are onshore and have 28 days or less remaining on their current visa or where their last substantive visa has expired up to 28 days previously.

To be granted a 408 visa you must also meet the health and character requirements, have adequate health insurance, be able to support yourself and any dependents and be a genuine temporary entrant.

Critical sectors may include the below but not limited to:

Healthcare, Disability and Aged Car

Includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the Australia’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

Childcare

Includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach.

Agriculture

Includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

The not limited to may include:

• Key public services
• Local and national government
• Public safety and national security
• Transport
• Utilities, communication and financial services

Essential workers include the below but not limited to:

• Supermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Butchers
• Grocers
• Markets
• Bottle shops
• Petrol stations
• Pharmacies
• All allied health centres
• Shopping centres (eateries in food courts permitted to do takeaway only)
• Hairdressers and barbers
• Schools remain open for “essential workers”
• and many more.

VisaOne’s Action Plan

The VisaOne Team has put plans in place to ensure ongoing operations for our active current and prospective clients. All operations are done so remotely.