Important Information for Visitors to Australia

If you're visiting Australia and find yourself unable to support yourself financially, the expectation is that you'll arrange to return to your home country.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa offers different durations depending on your work:

• Up to 12 months: If you are employed in a critical sector.
• Up to 3 months: If you are not working in a critical sector.

Visa Application Costs

There is no Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa. When applying, you'll need to select 'yes' to the 'visa application charge concession question' and then choose the 'Nil VAC' option.

However, be aware that you might still need to pay for health checks and police certificates.

Eligibility for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa (Subclass 408)

To be eligible to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa, you must meet the following general requirements:

• Apply Online: You must apply for this visa while you are physically present in Australia.
• Health Insurance: You must maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.

Specific Eligibility Streams:

The eligibility criteria differ based on your circumstances:

1. Applicants Working in Critical Sectors:

   If you are working in, or have an offer of employment in, a critical sector, you must:

   • Provide Evidence: Furnish proof from your current employer, or an offer of employment, demonstrating that your position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
   • Visa Status Hold a substantive visa that is expiring within the next 90 days or less, OR your previous substantive visa expired within the last 28 days or less.
2. Applicants Delayed Due to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions:

   If your departure from Australia is delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you must:

   • Inform Department of Home Affairs:Provide a clear explanation to the Australian Department of Home Affairs detailing why travel restrictions are preventing your departure.
   • Visa Status:Hold a substantive visa that is expiring within the next 90 days or less, OR your previous substantive visa expired within the last 28 days or less.

Important Considerations:

• Processing Times: Due to the impact of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in visa demand, and processing times may be affected. Delays can occur depending on various factors.
• Prioritization: The Australian Government is prioritizing visa applications that support its response to COVID-19, particularly those in critical sectors.
• Bridging Visa:To ensure you maintain lawful status in Australia while your COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa application is being processed, you will be granted an associated Bridging Visa. This Bridging Visa will become active if your current substantive visa expires before a decision is made on your COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa application.

Extending Your Stay in Australia

You can't extend your current COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa (subclass 408) to stay in Australia longer.

However, you might be eligible to apply for another COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa if:

• You plan to continue working in a critical sector in Australia.
• COVID-19 travel restrictions prevent you from leaving Australia when your current visa expires.