Visa holders are allowed to work during COVID-19 outbreak

Temporary visa holders will be allowed to work in many different sectors and are able to withdraw their super during COVID-19 outbreak while their visas are extended

Backpackers

Backpackers Source: Supplied

Over 2 million temporary visa holders including international students, backpacker, and working holiday visas will be allowed to work and get their visa extended. 

Most importantly, they can draw their super worth $10,000 this year during the coronavirus pandemic. But an international student from the Australian International Student Association says that this money may not be enough to keep them going about their lives.

They can work in some industries such as child care, aged care, disability care, health, agriculture and food processing for at least 6 months after this rule has been relaxed.

For international students, they are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight at Australian supermarket chains to the 1st of May until Australian workers are recruited to fill the roles. And for those who want to train and work as nurses during coronavirus outbreak will be allowed to work.

Backpackers and working holiday visas will also get permission to work in Agriculture and food processing sectors, however, they have to self-isolation for 14 days before they start to work.

Labor's leader Anthony Albanese  recently urged the Australian governments to relax the backpackers and working holiday visa in order to get some of the qualified nurses doing fruit picking to work in Australian hospital during this coronavirus outbreak, as Australia want around 20,000 nurses to help the intensive care units across Australia to deal with COVID-19.

In additional to this relax, these visa holders are also allowed to tapped into their super during this financial year (2019-2020)  and get their visa extended in this difficult time.

However, acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge says 'those who can not supports themselves in Australia should arrange to go back home as soon as possible.'

These are the latest changes the Australian government made to temporary visas in Australia.

Notice:

Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.019

You can check the latest update about coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Australian social media platforms like: What AppsWhatAppsGoogle Play thiab Apple Store.

Australians must stay home and only go out to do essential thing like buying foods, necessary goods, educations, petrol station, work, study. Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Indoors, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space. In Victoria only 2 people are allowed to gather from midnight tonight. Self-isolation and social distancing  rules must be complies or face fines and penalties according to each state and territory measures in place. 

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus

Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at Beyond Blue.org.au. Coronavirus specific mental health advice can be found here.

Find more news and information on Coronavirus from SBS Hmong.

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By SBS News
Presented by Vixay Vue
Source: SBS News

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Visa holders are allowed to work during COVID-19 outbreak | SBS Hmong