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Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-...el-coronavirus
From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are restricted from travelling overseas from 25 March 2020 at 12:00hrs AEDST.This travel restriction does not apply to:
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Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
The new rules kick in at 11:59pm on Saturday, March 28.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-...otels/12097312 Tough new quarantine rules will force all international travellers arriving in Australia into a two-week isolation period in a hotel. It means Australians returning home will not be allowed to complete the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period at home, but will instead be taken straight to a state-run quarantine centre. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more than two-thirds of Australia's known coronavirus cases could be attributed to people returning from overseas. "For those who are seeking to make their way back, know these arrangements will be in place and they are mandatory," he said. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Parent Visas
Finalisation of many Parent Visa applications will be put on hold for a period of approximately two months. The situation will be reviewed in late May 2020, and further extension/s will be provided if necessary. Source - auto-reply to an enquiry made of the Dept today, |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
BSMQ PROCESSING UPDATE 25 MARCH 2020
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Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
From the Centrelink website
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au...ed-coronavirus We’ll temporarily expand eligibility for JobSeeker Payment and Youth Allowance for job seekers. We’ll give you access if you’re:
Income testing will still apply. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
The Immigration Dept are showing no leniency where visas are concerned. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/employers-and-education-providers includes info on Temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holdersTo keep shelves stocked in this time of high demand, the government has announced a temporary relaxation of the 40 hour a fortnight work limit for student visa holders who work in Australia’s major supermarkets.
All Coles, Woolworths and Aldi retailers have been given access to the temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders. The primary activity of the business must be the supply of groceries. All work related to a supermarket is acceptable for example deli/seafood, checkouts and trolley collectors. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Backpackers allowed to extend stays in Australia during coronavirus pandemic, temporary visa holders to get access to superhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-...ralia/12121004 cting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said people on temporary skilled visas who have been stood down, rather than laid off, could have their visas extended under normal arrangements, while businesses could also reduce their hours without breaching conditions.But he said those who have been sacked and are unable to find a new sponsor should leave the country. "However, should a four-year visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements," he said. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Visa overhauls as Government urges backpackers to leavehttps://www.couriermail.com.au/coron...2584d91866511cTENS of thousands of backpackers will be told to leave Australia immediately and warned they will not receive a cent of welfare as the Federal Government moves to cull the number of those on temporary visas. But exemptions will be unveiled today for Pacific Island seasonal workers and backpackers working on farms, under sweeping visa overhauls that also ensures Australians do not have to compete with international students and skilled migrants to get jobs. There are more than two million people on temporary visas in the country. International students, who were recently allowed to double the number of hours they could work to help stack supermarket shelves, will now have these wound back to 40 hours a fortnight from May 1 as desperate Australians look for work. Mr Tudge said most temporary visa holders with work rights would now be able to access their Australian superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis. The message will also be made clear today that backpackers will not receive Australian welfare. There are more than 8000 skilled medical professionals on temporary visas working in the system and they will be allowed to remain. There are 203,000 international visitors in Australia – typically on a visa lasting three months or less – and 118,000 backpackers. Backpackers working in critical sectors will be exempt from the six-month work limitation with one employer. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Saturday's Official Press Release here
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/...a-holders.aspx Key points - Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home. Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Temporary Skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition. These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year. Working holiday makers who are working in critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12833936)
Saturday's Official Press Release here
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/...a-holders.aspx Key points - Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home. Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Temporary Skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition. These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year. Working holiday makers who are working in critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 12834043)
I have a new volunteer who's here on a Temp working visa - totally out of the loop on visas - with her husband. They've been here 14 months. They've both been laid off, can't pay rent, obviously can't claim anything. No money, how are they supposed to get home? They have all their belongings, even if they find a flight, which is proving impossible , what do they do with their stuff. It's all a complete nightmare. I don't expect the government to bail them out completely but it's hardly their fault they're in this position. Just telling them to go home seems really harsh.
I was talking to my colleagues on shift last weekend about the plight of many people like the one you now and they just didn't get it. They were of the opinion that people should just get on a plane and leave. Even explaining that some of these temp visa holders have been here 5 years or more and have homes, cars and all their belongings here didn't seem to sink in. How many families with their lives now here could even afford family air fares home right now, never mind the fact they would have t leave all their possessions here. The whole issue is leading to a lot of nasty racist comments and opinions too,with people at all levels of society saying things like - "anyone not Australian should be thrown out" and "borders should be closed permanently" (both comments I have heard at work). |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/gover...border-closingl,
Dr Jeannette Young, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to publish the following list of COVID-19 hotspots pursuant to the powers under s362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community. The direction applies from 12.01 am on Saturday 11 April 2020 until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced. The purpose of this direction is to identify COVID-19 hotspots for:
Penalties: A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Statement on Australian citizenship processing
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/...rocessing.aspx The Government will hold online citizenship ceremonies via secure video link, to enable people to continue to become Australian citizens during the coronavirus crisis. Current health advice around COVID-19 means it is not possible for traditional, in-person citizenship ceremonies to be held. Australian citizenship is an immense privilege, and fundamental to our national identity. The Department of Home Affairs has commenced trialling one-on-one ceremonies for those already approved for Australian citizenship. We will work with individuals with an urgent need, who cannot access the internet, to ensure their ceremony can occur safely in line with health advice. When fully implemented, it is expected this new capability will see up to 750 people per day having their citizenship conferred. The Australian Citizenship Act 2007 requires a person to make a pledge of commitment to Australia before a presiding officer. This is a legal requirement which has been in place for decades. Applications for Australian citizenship are still able to be accepted during this period, though citizenship interviews and testing have been put on hold. Additional resources will be deployed to conduct testing and interviews as soon as social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ease. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
RED CROSS Help for migrants in transitionhttps://www.redcross.org.au/news-and-media/news/help-for-migrants-in-transitionImportant message for people on temporary visas Emergency relief and casework support 11 April 2020 You may have heard that Red Cross is receiving funding from the Australian Government for the next six months to deliver emergency relief and casework support. Here is some important information about this funding:
Who is eligible? You may be eligible for Red Cross Safety Net support if you:
How to apply We will advise when we have the funds and arrangements in place. In the meantime, you can [email protected]?subject=H...n%20transition. [email protected] Once you have requested help, we will speak to you and see if we can assist with emergency payments, food deliveries, crisis accommodation costs or other support. To protect everyone’s safety during COVID-19, please do not come to our Red Cross offices at this time. You can [email protected]?subject=H...n%20transition or call 1800 733 276 during business hours. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
1 Attachment(s)
COVID-19 Temporary Visa Holders Frequently Asked Questions
This attachment is a few days old, but was sent to registered agents anall the info in it is still accurate.. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Temporary visa holders in Tasmania get $3m package for financial hardship due to coronavirusVisa holders who can demonstrate immediate financial hardship will be eligible for $250 for individuals, and $1,000 for families. "It's important we support these people who've been working in our community earning an income and this package will take the steps necessary to do that," he said. "I don't agree with the simple message that temporary visa holders should just go home. In many cases they can't." Workers who can go home will receive financial support from the Government to get back to their home country, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will also be eligible for emergency relief funds that target temporary visa holders.More details at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-...lders/12171546 |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Each State and Territory is doing this their own way:
Queensland: Qld COVID-19 – Fri May 8: Roadmap released / no new cases / more recoveries - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/roadmap-to-easing-queenslands-restrictions Tasmania: Premier of Tasmania - Tasmania’s Roadmap to Recovery South Australia: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/recovery NSW: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/...08-p54r4v.html NT: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/steps-...map-new-normal VIC: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/healt...nges-c-1026849 WA: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
If you are lucky enough to get permission to leave this place and head north, be aware that the UK is introducing quarantine for travellers - and it must be in a private residence which for some of us would just not be possible.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52597437 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52594023 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52523320 |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12850496)
If you are lucky enough to get permission to leave this place and head north, be aware that the UK is introducing quarantine for travellers - and it must be in a private residence which for some of us would just not be possible.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52597437 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52594023 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52523320 |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
The Government has resumed in-person citizenship ceremonies with local councils invited to begin hosting small events where safe to do so and in line with the latest health advice.
We moved quickly to implement online ceremonies when COVID-19 restrictions came into effect and more than 25,000 became Australian citizens via this method. These online ceremonies meant people could pledge their allegiance to Australia at a time of great uncertainty and become citizens despite face-to-face restrictions. Now that restrictions are easing, councils will once again be able to host small ceremonies in line with the public gathering requirements in their state or territory. Online ceremonies will continue for councils unable to host physical events safely so we can continue to see as many people as possible enjoy the privilege of becoming citizens. Councils can choose to host in-person or online ceremonies, or both. The Department of Home Affairs will also continue to host online ceremonies for those who cannot attend an in-person ceremony. The Government is also working to resume citizenship testing and interviews in the coming weeks so we can have people moving through all stages of becoming Australian citizens. https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/...to-resume.aspx |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Qantas has cancelled all international flights through to October 24 2020, with the exception of services to New Zealand and, at the time of writing, Tokyo/Haneda.
The airline is in the process of advising travel agents as well as passengers booked on affected flights, with the changes soon expected to flow through to the Qantas website. October 24 marks the cut-over to the Northern Winter 2020 airline schedule period as defined by the International Air Transport Association. https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...te-october#_=_ |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12868331)
Qantas has cancelled all international flights through to October 24 2020, with the exception of services to New Zealand and, at the time of writing, Tokyo/Haneda.
The airline is in the process of advising travel agents as well as passengers booked on affected flights, with the changes soon expected to flow through to the Qantas website. October 24 marks the cut-over to the Northern Winter 2020 airline schedule period as defined by the International Air Transport Association. https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...te-october#_=_ |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53222356
The EU has named 14 countries whose citizens are deemed "safe" to be let in from 1 July, despite the pandemic - but the US, Brazil and China are excluded. Those named include Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco and South Korea. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-...toria/12397720
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced borders will reopen to visitors from all states but Victoria from July 10. Anyone who has travelled from Victoria and enters Queensland from this Friday, including Queenslanders, will have to quarantine at their own expense for 14 days. If there are further outbreaks of community transmission elsewhere, Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government might review its decision. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-...ourne/12407138Victoria has reintroduced stay-at-home orders for a series of coronavirus hotspot suburbs in a bid to contain an "unacceptably high" number of new cases detected in the past few days.
From 11:59pm on Wednesday, residents in the following 10 postcodes will be restricted from leaving the house except for essential purposes: 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060, 3064. Premier Daniel Andrews has also announced a judicial inquiry into the state's management of hotel quarantine after a number of cases through late May and early June were linked to infection control breaches. International flights will be diverted from Melbourne for the next fortnight, to cut the number of arrived travellers who need to be housed in hotel quarantine. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12873922)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-...toria/12397720
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced borders will reopen to visitors from all states but Victoria from July 10. Anyone who has travelled from Victoria and enters Queensland from this Friday, including Queenslanders, will have to quarantine at their own expense for 14 days. If there are further outbreaks of community transmission elsewhere, Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government might review its decision. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 12873993)
Considering how many people are queuing to come north at all times of the day for the past couple of weeks, our bit of the border may as well be open already. Pretty sure the world and his wife have printed off permits.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. However, the devil is going to be in the detail - if they need to quarantine,then where? how will they get there? what happens to their vehicles? Are hotels going to be willing to accept people who may not be able to pay.......? Why do politicians announce things without working out the feasibility?! Twas a long confusing day in the office!!! :getcoat: |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 12873993)
Considering how many people are queuing to come north at all times of the day for the past couple of weeks, our bit of the border may as well be open already. Pretty sure the world and his wife have printed off permits.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12874091)
Strong rumours of extra manpower on the border from now on
However, the devil is going to be in the detail - if they need to quarantine,then where? how will they get there? what happens to their vehicles? Are hotels going to be willing to accept people who may not be able to pay.......? Why do politicians announce things without working out the feasibility?! Twas a long confusing day in the office!!! :getcoat: All rhetorical, I don't expect you to have the answers. Presumably they think no one will bother but we all know Victorians will come up and live their best lives visiting every pub, club, theme park they can. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 12876320)
Replying to myself is odd, however if I thought crossing the border was a pain before... Now it doesn't matter what time or day it is, it's taking over an hour to travel 10km. The border doesn't even open until the 10th.
Are they going to police the self quarantine bods? Are they going to watch these people 24/7 to ensure they don't leave? Are the hotels providing special COVID staff to service these people alone? All rhetorical, I don't expect you to have the answers. Presumably they think no one will bother but we all know Victorians will come up and live their best lives visiting every pub, club, theme park they can. There are even issues possible with the existing quarantine hotels - they were happy to take in quarantined travellers, with all the associated health issues and rules, now they can take the paying public with relaxed rules........its a no-brainer really, the government may start to find it hard to locate anywhere to place travellers requiring quarantine. Sadly we are also getting reports of cross-border travellers taking out their frustrations by verbally abusing the SES. These guys are volunteers, assisting QPS is part of their remit and many of them are volunteering for long shifts on the border. They don't need abuse in return. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.smh.com.au/national/fede...04-p55901.html
Federal government to limit overseas arrivals at Sydney Airport The federal government will cap overseas arrivals into Sydney Airport at 450 people per day as NSW faces pressure on its capacity to quarantine returned travellers amid the Victorian coronavirus outbreak. International travellers planning to return to Australia have been warned their trips may be delayed and told to check their itineraries with their airlines. The changes affect incoming flights from midnight on Saturday. The new limits, which were requested by the NSW government, also restrict each incoming flight to a maximum of 50 passengers. They will last until July 17 and could be extended as the diversion of travellers from Melbourne Airport risks straining NSW resources. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12876492)
You're right, I don't have the answers, and judging by the work chatter following the announcements this week, neither do the police. The one constant thing that everyone was sure of, was that Madam Premier should really have talked to a few people about the practicalities of her plans.
There are even issues possible with the existing quarantine hotels - they were happy to take in quarantined travellers, with all the associated health issues and rules, now they can take the paying public with relaxed rules........its a no-brainer really, the government may start to find it hard to locate anywhere to place travellers requiring quarantine. Sadly we are also getting reports of cross-border travellers taking out their frustrations by verbally abusing the SES. These guys are volunteers, assisting QPS is part of their remit and many of them are volunteering for long shifts on the border. They don't need abuse in return. As for abusing the guys at the border, Jesus why???they have a thankless, bone numbingly boring job to do, I smile at them, occasionally there's time for a joke and then there's relief that I now have a clear road ahead of me! |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Anyone planning an arrival would be advised to do it fast methinks. Before long it'll be as hard to get a flight in as it is to get a flight out.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-...virus/12433896 Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged the number of people coming into Australia could be further reduced to ease the burden on states and territories administering hotel quarantine.Mr Morrison did not outline how the number of international arrivals would be reduced under his proposal, but said it was more about "containing numbers" than a pause on arrivals. "The issue is what the overall level of returning Australians is, and that's why I'll be bringing a proposal on Friday to reduce that load," he said. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
1 Attachment(s)
Attached pdf from Home Affairs answers some questions regarding the future path of migration to Australia and the impact COVID-19 has had on the delivery of the Migration Program.
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Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-...ntine/12441932
The number of Australian citizens and residents allowed into the country will be slashed to ease pressure on state and territory coronavirus quarantine systems and free up resources to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.National Cabinet has agreed to cut the number of people coming home to Australia from approximately 7,000 to just over 4,000 each week, which amounts to a reduction of about a third, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison. States and territories have complained of the burden of hosting returning Australian residents and citizens in hotel quarantine, with Mr Morrison flagging earlier this week that a limit would be introduced. Every state and territory will also begin requiring people to cover the cost of their own mandatory quarantine. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states
Useful page outlining the different quarantine costs and rules for each State/Territory. |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 12881845)
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states
Useful page outlining the different quarantine costs and rules for each State/Territory. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...038abd22cc.jpg |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Little things and all that but this made me chuckle slightly. Applying for this week's Permit to come home from work and I noticed that I can choose my date of birth from the year 0 to not sure as I gave up scrolling after this. Why on earth did they need to go back past 1900 and go beyond 2020? Let's not go into why I need to apply for a Permit weekly, why locals can't have their own letter and be done with it. I don't mind needing a Permit but having to do it weekly just because I work 10 minutes south of the border is fairly dumb.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...b10e12ab4a.png |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 12881917)
Little things and all that but this made me chuckle slightly. Applying for this week's Permit to come home from work and I noticed that I can choose my date of birth from the year 0 to not sure as I gave up scrolling after this. Why on earth did they need to go back past 1900 and go beyond 2020? Let's not go into why I need to apply for a Permit weekly, why locals can't have their own letter and be done with it. I don't mind needing a Permit but having to do it weekly just because I work 10 minutes south of the border is fairly dumb.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...b10e12ab4a.png :hysterical: |
Re: Visa & Aus travel Information related to COVID-19 situation
Links for those seekng an exemption to enter or leave Australia
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/l...ustralia#toc-1 https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep |
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