Settlement Guide: Life on the bridging visa in Australia

Australia visa

Picture for representational purpose only. Source: SBS

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.





 

The federal government is allowing bridging visa holders to access up to $10,000 dollars of their Australian superannuation tax-free in the 2019 to 2020 financial year. 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs provides short-term payments through the Status Resolution Support Services for Bridging Visa E holders, those recently released from immigration detention or living in the community under Residence Determination. Power, however, is concerned that many bridging visa holders are unable to access the scheme.

 

 

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.

 

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

 

For theNorthern 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 Beyondbluecoronavirus 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.








 






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