Life on the bridging visa

COVID-19 is dramatically disrupting on the lives of close to 97,000 bridging visa holders in Australia who are unable to access the federal government’s COVID-19 support schemes. The latest ABS figures reveal that the unemployment rate has risen to 6.2 per cent though some economists suggest a different calculation method would paint a far bleaker reality.

Migrant worker Source: Getty Images

For free legal advice in NSW, call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

 

For Legal Aid in Victoria, call 1300 792 387 on weekdays from 9am to 5pm.

 

For Legal Aid Queensland, call 1300 65 11 88 Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

 

For Legal Aid Western Australia, call 1300 650 579 Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. 

 

For Legal Aid ACT, call 1300 654 314 Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

 

For the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania, call 1300 366 611 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

 

For the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, call 1300 366 424 Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm.

 

For the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, ring 1800 019 343 Monday to Friday from 8am to 4:30pm.

 

If you are feeling distressed and need emotional support, call the Beyondblue coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 any time of the day and night.

If you need language support, call 13 14 50 for an interpreter and ask to be connected to your preferred support organisation.