IN PHOTO: The Hon Alan Tudge MP, cting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs of the Department of Home Affairs
In an attempt to ensure that Australia remains one of the top attractive destinations for tourists, skilled migrants and temporary visa holders, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs posted the implementation of changes in their Visa Application Charges.
Visa Application Charges is the amount of money in Australian dollars (AUD) that must be paid for a visa application. The changes that they have put in place will hopefully grant those whose travel has been impacted by COVID-19 waiver or refund of their Visa Application Charges (VAC).
Who will be eligible for the waiver or refund of Visa Application Charges (VAC)?
Tourists, working holiday makers, seasonal and pacific workers, prospective partners and temporary skilled workers whose travel has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible.
Below is a copy of the list of changes for the Visa Application Charges (VAC), as originally posted by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs of the Department of Home Affairs:
Visitors
Visitor visa holders who are overseas and whose visas expired or will expire between March 2020 and December 2021 will be eligible for a waiver when they apply for a new visa.
This will help support the rebound of Australia's $45 billion international tourism sector when international travel restrictions ease.
We know many of our tourism destinations and operators are doing it tough right now and these arrangements will help encourage people to travel to Australia when our international borders re-open and once again inject vital tourism dollars into our economy.
Working holiday makers
Backpackers on Working Holiday Maker visas who have been unable to come to Australia or who had to leave Australia early due to COVID-19 will also be eligible for a waiver, when they decide to return to Australia.
Those who are unable to return because they have passed the age limit for a Working Holiday Maker visa will be able to claim a refund.
Working Holiday Makers are a major contributor to Australia's tourism industry and also fill critical workforce shortages, particularly in regional and rural Australia. On average, they spend all their money in Australia, contributing more than $3 billion a year to the economy and supporting local jobs.
These changes build on a number of measures announced by the Morrison Government to allow Working Holiday Makers to remain in Australia longer and support the critical sectors of health, aged care, disability care, childcare, agriculture and food processing.
Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme workers
Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme visa holders will also be eligible for a refund of the VAC if they were granted a visa before 20 March 2020 and have been unable to travel to Australia due to COVID-19.
These programs restarted in August to help fill labour shortages in key industries, particularly the farming sector.
Visa conditions for these workers have also been temporarily relaxed and options are available for them to extend their stay in Australia for up to 12 months to support the agriculture sector.
Temporary skilled workers
Due to travel restrictions there are many Temporary Skill Shortage and Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders who have not made their initial entry to Australia, or have returned home due to COVID-19 and may wish to apply again.
To support local businesses that seek to access critical skills not available in the local labour workforce, the Government will offer a waiver of the VAC for subsequent applications by affected temporary employer sponsored skilled migrants.
Subsequent skilled visa applications will still be subject to the strict labour market testing requirements to ensure Australians have first priority for jobs.
Prospective Marriage visa holders