All overseas students from Australia will eventually work over 20 hours a week without jeopardizing their student visa requirements. This interim move was intended to address Australia's workforce shortage, worsening as more individuals isolate themselves due to a rising number of Covid-19 cases.

During July 2021, Australian retailers lockdown states and territories to raise student working hours to keep their doors open. Grocery stores in Victoria And New South Wales were able to get around the 40-hour limit, allowing them to continue delivering food and products to their customers. The ban on overseas students who work in the elderly care industry in September 2021.

Other steps made by the authorities to entice overseas students to return after the epidemic include a declaration that teaching master's students would be allowed to work in the country for three years after graduation. Previously, the post-study employment visa had a two-year maximum.

Information that students should know:

Even if the amount of hours you may work is flexible, you should continue maintaining your studies and job responsibilities.

Students must continue to:

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  Retain their enrollment in classes

  
  


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  Ensure that they have a good attendance record in their classes, and

  
  


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  Students who cancel their registration and cease attending lessons or fail to make adequate progress in their courses could violate their visa terms.

  
  

Students might qualify for a COVID-19 Epidemic (subclass 408) visa if they work or have an employment offer in a crucial industry and have completed their degree. They can only apply for this visa for 90 days before your student visa expires. ?

Employer-related Information:

Employers should continue to be subject to Australian labor laws. Under Australian labor legislation, overseas workers, including international students, have had the same rights as any other employees.

While implementing these steps, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force will:

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  It ensures that students who work upwards of 40 hours a week to help your organization do not have their visas revoked.

  
  


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  It might be related to a student visa holder's hours worked in violation of their visa rules.

  
  


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  As an employer, they will not send you or any relevant third-party labor hire firms to investigate any suspected crime under section 245AC of the Migration Act 1958. Allowing a student legal immigrant to work in violation of their visa terms might be an example of this.

  
  

COVID Continues to Obstruct the Revival of the Economy

COVID is causing havoc on supply chain operations in Australia, as it is in many other nations. Central building and roadwork projects and food are scarce in certain places.

Staff shortages are especially severe in lower-paying sectors, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' labor statistics arm. For such businesses, foreign workers are a crucial labor supply, and Australia's local borders in 2021 left many firms unable to fill employment openings.

As part of an attempt to assist economic recovery, the Australian government urges overseas students and skilled employees to return to Australia. On December 15, 2021, the borders opened to fully vaccinated international students and skilled worker visa holders, humanitarian, working holiday, and provisional family visa holders.

Added Essential Staff

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  Mr. Morrison also said that would relax close contact requirements for all transport, freight, and logistics personnel even further to alleviate the growing demand on supply chains.

  
  


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  Workers in these industries will return to work immediately if they are in close contact and provide a negative quick antigen test due to the adjustments.

  
  


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  According to the federal authorities, between 20 and 50 percent of transportation and logistics personnel have been isolated or impacted by COVID.

  
  


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  Mr. Morrison characterized the action as an "instant extension," adding that it will affect individuals who work at gas stations.

  
  


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  Health and emergency services, critical assets such as electricity and water resources, and the agricultural distribution system will be subject to restrictions.

  
  


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  It will also categorize employees in telecommunications and media education and child care.

  
  


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  Anthony Albanese, the opposition leader, has previously chastised the administration for failing to prepare ahead, citing worries over the accessibility of fast antigen testing.

  
  


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  He said, "This administration can't patiently wait until an issue becomes a catastrophe before acting."

  
  


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  "One of the issues with the current labor shortages is that individuals can't obtain access to testing."

  
  

Concerns about Finding a Work-Study Balance

While Oscar Zi Shao Ong, president of the CISA, believes that many students would welcome the chance to work more, he cautions that it may be difficult for students to balance school duties with longer work hours. He's also concerned that the new laws would send conflicting signals to overseas students who come to Australia. ?