COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa FAQ’s

Our COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa FAQ’s would help you to get more insights into the COVIS-19 19 Pandemic Event Visa.

Under what circumstances can I apply for the COVID-19 pandemic event visa?

You are eligible to apply for this visa if you are unable to depart Australia, your temporary visa expires in less than 28 days (or did not expire more than 28 days ago) and you have no other visa options available to you.

Am I eligible for the COVID-19 pandemic event visa if I am not working in a critical sector?

For those not working in a critical sector, you can apply for the COVID-19 pandemic event visa only if you have no other visa options available to you.

How do I know if my visa allows me to work?

Workers in critical sectors who indicate their work activities in their visa application will be given permission to engage in those work activities when the COVID 19 Pandemic event visa is granted. Permission to work is managed through mandatory condition 8107.  Under condition 8107 a person who is granted a subclass 408 visa and is found not to be working in a critical sector stands to have their visa canceled

People applying for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa as a last resort to remain lawfully in Australia until their departure will not be granted permission to work.

What is the validity period of my COVID-19 pandemic event visa?

If you are employed in a critical sector may be granted a visa that allows you to stay for up to 12 months.  

• If you have been in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme and are continuing your work in agriculture or another critical sector you may be granted a visa allowing you to stay for up to 12 months.
• If you are not working in a critical sector, you may be granted a visa that allows you to stay for up to six months to ensure you remain lawful while you are unable to travel home from Australia.

What is considered a critical sector?

• While applying you should check to see if your work or your occupation is in a critical sector (such as agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, or childcare) before making an application.
• The Department may use the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) to determine if an occupation is in a critical sector.

Is a letter of endorsement required to apply for the COVID-19 pandemic event visa?

If you are applying for the visa to work or continue working in a critical sector you must provide evidence of your ongoing employment. Evidence could include payslips, a contract, and/or a letter from your employer. The endorsement letter should:

• confirm the dates of your employment
• confirm which critical sector you are working in and
• provide evidence that an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the position
• In the case of doctors and nurses with an offer of employment in the health care sector must provide evidence of their medical qualifications, and a letter of offer of employment from a hospital or clinic.

If you are a temporary visa holder with no other visa options and you are unable to depart Australia,  a statement has to enclosed with the application telling why you cannot apply for another type of visa, why you are not able to depart Australia before your current visa expires, and what actions you are taking to try to arrange your departure as soon as travel restrictions are lifted and/or flight availability resumes.

Am I eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if I have a no further stay condition attached to my visa?

If you hold a subclass 403 visa in the Seasonal Worker Programme stream, during the COVID-19 period, the condition 8503 (No Further Stay) is automatically waived, making you eligible to apply for the COVID-19 AGEE stream of the subclass 408.

For other temporary visa holders with condition 8503, 8534, or 8535 and cannot depart Australia as planned, you cannot apply for most other visas in Australia unless the condition is waived. You can request a waiver if your visa will expire in less than 28 days. If your request is approved, you should make a new visa application before your current visa expires.

What is the processing time for my COVID-19 Pandemic event visa application?

The processing of applications for people working in critical sectors is faster. Other applications may take longer to finalize. 

I am overseas. Can I be granted a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa?

The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa can only be granted to people in Australia.

Are there other formalities to be eligible to get the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa?

• You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirements.  undergo a health check.
• You must maintain adequate health insurance during your stay in Australia

Can I apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa on a bridging visa?

Temporary visa holders, including bridging visa holders can apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if they meet all of the eligibility criteria.  Bridging visa holders who have an s.48 bar and/or who have not held a substantive temporary visa in the 28 days prior to application will not be able to apply.