The Australian government has recently announced that the COVID-19 concession period will cease on 25 November 2023. The initial concession period was introduced on 1 February 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, there was no fixed end date into the regulations. The concession period is no longer needed as all COVID-19 international travel restrictions have been lifted.
Changes
Employer Sponsored visas
From 25 November 2023 new nominations under the Employer Nominated (Subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream now require TSS (subclass 482) visa holders to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer for 2 out of the previous 3 years.
The following COVID-19 concessions will end:
Periods of reduced work due to COVID-19 will not count towards meeting the work experience requirements for new ENS/RSMS TRT stream nomination applications.
The COVID-19 concession to the age exemption for high income earning applicants will not apply for new ENS/RSMS visa applications.
The age exemption for legacy 457 workers in Australia for 12 months during the pandemic from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021 will apply for ENS visa applications lodged before 1 July 2024.
Family visas
The COVID-19 concessions removed restrictions on the ‘location at the time of visa grant requirement for certain Family program visa applicants.
Applicants for certain Partner and Child visas who applied before 26 November 2023, and who were in Australia at any time during the concession period, will continue to be eligible to be granted a visa in Australia (if they meet all other visa criteria) after the end of the concession period. The COVID-19 concession arrangements will not apply to Partner and Child applicants who were not in Australia at any time during the COVID-19 concession period.
The COVID-19 concessions for certain Parent visa applicants, only applied during the COVID-19 concession period, from 1 February 2020 to 25 November 2023.
Temporary Graduate visa
From 25 November 2023, all applications for any stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) program must be lodged in Australia. Subsequent entrant applications can be lodged in or outside of Australia. The ability to grant applications to applicants who are either in or outside of Australia (but not in immigration clearance) will continue.
Do you require further assistance
If you have further questions about the above, or have any other immigration related query, please get in touch with our experienced team. Contact us by email at hello@canberramigrationservices.com.au or by phone at +614517572873.
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult an immigration professional for up to date information.