NEWS | COVID Visa Work Restrictions Eased

27 Aug

The Department of Home Affairs has made an announcement about Covid visa work restrictions:

This easing of work restrictions applies to Covid Visa holders working in Critical sectors.

The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa critical sectors are:

• agriculture
• food processing
• health care
• aged care
• disability care
• child care and
• tourism and hospitality

Due to the urgent need for critical sector workers, the DHA have temporarily implemented a less restrictive policy on visa condition 8107 – work limitation.

If you have been granted a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa to work in a critical sector for up to 12 months, you may now:

• change employment as long as you stay employed in a critical sector
• work for more than one employer in one or more critical sectors
• work for more than one employer, as long as your primary employment is in a critical sector.

You must report any changes of employment by completing a Notification of Changes in Circumstances (Form 1022). You will find the form here

Work is tied to the “Critical Sector”, not specific occupations.

Work in a critical sector is just that.

If for example you are an accountant employed in a hospitality business, this consitutes work in a critical sector, and we have confirmation of this.

Exception: These changes do not apply to  Seasonal Worker Program Visa holders who:

• last arrived in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program and
• were granted a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa

These Covid visa holders must only work for their Approved Employer.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) must approve any changes to employment.