Relaxation of Student visa work restriction
What a great way to start the week for the Australian beleaguered tourism and hospitality sector.
The Australian Government has announced that the previous 40 hour fortnightly limit applied during study periods will not be enforced for student visa holders who are working in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The Immigration Department is taking a flexible approach to students working beyond the usual work limitations in the following industries:
- employed in the agriculture sector
- employed in the tourism and hospitality sector
- employed in the health sector, enrolled in a health related course (such as nursing or medicine) and are directed by a health official to assist in the effort against COVID19
- employed in aged care by an Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider before 8 September 2020
- employed by a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider before 23 April 2020
Further information on student work rights relaxation is available on the Home Affairs web site.
What does this mean for student visa holders and employers ?
If your business is in any of the above - mentioned sectors you can employ student visa holders more than 40 hours per fortnight. Please be mindful however that the student visa holder must still attend their studies as per their student visa requirement.
These temporary measures will be reviewed by the Government regularly. Employers will be advised when these measures no longer apply and we will keep you up to date when this changes.
