• Temporary visa changes to help farmers
    Australia news | The Guardian
    #Covid-19#Migration#Migrant#Austalie#Travail#visa

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/apr/04/coronavirus-australia-live-news-nsw-health-defends-handling-of-ruby-pri
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    Temporary visa changes to help farmers

    The announcements are rolling in this morning. Following the release from the health minister outlined below, the department of agriculture has said temporary changes to visa arrangements are being made to help farmers get the workforce they need to secure Australia’s food and produce supply during the pandemic.

    The changes allow those within the Pacific Labour Scheme, Seasonal Worker Program and working holiday makers to continue to work in agriculture and food processing until the coronavirus crisis has passed.

    Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said the measure meant supporting businesses, providing job opportunities and securing food supply. He said:

    We can’t afford to see fruit rotting on trees and vines and vegetables left unpicked. It is vital our farmers maximise their hard work and economic returns. We are acting to enable seasonal workers to extend their stay and remain lawfully in Australia until they are able to return to their home countries.

    The agriculture sector relies on an ongoing workforce and we are committed to providing the means for that to continue while ensuring strict health and safety measures are adhered to, including visa holders following self-isolation requirements when they move between regions.”

    Before moving to other parts of the country, working holiday makers will need to self-isolate for 14 days and register at the Australia.gov.au website. Those who do not comply will face having their visas cancelled. The National Farmers Federation has developed best practice guidance for farmers regarding requirements for the living and working arrangements for farm workers during the Covid-19 outbreak.

    The key points:

    Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme workers can extend their stay for up to 12 months to work for approved employers.
    Approved employers will need to continue to ensure recruitment of Australians first.
    Working Holiday Makers who work in agriculture or food processing will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.

  • More visa changes announced
    Australia news | The Guardian
    #Covid-19#Migration#Migrant#Austalie#Travail#visa

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/apr/04/coronavirus-australia-live-news-nsw-health-defends-handling-of-ruby-pri
    https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9c5e729f8c0ddbb6608d8e258ca4073315b4f7ae/0_192_5760_3456/master/5760.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-ali

    More visa changes announced

    Acting immigration minister Alan Tudge said the government is making a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements. There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa. There are more than 8,000 skilled medical professionals on temporary visas supporting the health system.

    While citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders have access to unconditional work rights and government payments (including the new jobkeeper and jobseeker payments), temporary visa holders do not. There has always been an expectation that temporary visa holders are able to support themselves while in Australia.
    #Covid-19#Migration#Migrant#Austalie#Travail#visa

    But changes announced by the government today will help support those who may be stood down or lose work hours as a result of Covid-19. In line with changes being made for Australian citizens and permanent residents, most temporary visa holders with work rights will now be able to access their Australian superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis.

    Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are being strongly encouraged by the government to return home.

    International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight. Those students working in aged care, as nurses and in supermarkets have now had these hours extended to support critical sectors. From 1 May, their hours will
    return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight as more Australians are being recruited into these roles.
    New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the jobkeeper payment. Those who arrived after 2001 have access to the jobkeeper payment. They do not
    have access to jobseeker or other welfare payments.
    Temporary skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. They will also be able to access up to $10,000 superannuation this financial year.
    And as we mentioned earlier, temporary visa changes to secure food supply and support farmers have also been announced.