Student and Working Holiday Visa Update

Lodgement fee refunds for student and working holiday visa applications 

VAC Refunds – Student and Working Holiday Visa

Student visas

• Student visa holders who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022 will be refunded the VAC for their student visa application.
• Both primary and secondary applicants will receive the refund if they arrive within this period.
• The refund applies to both current offshore visa holders and new applicants who arrive within that period.
• Students will be able to apply for a refund up until 31 December 2022. ​​

Working Holiday Makers (WHM)

• WHM who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be refunded the VAC for WHM visa application.
• The refund applies to both current offshore visa holders and new applicants who arrive within that period.

Students – Relaxation of working hours

Temporary arrangements have been put in place to relax the 40 hour per fortnight cap on working hours of Student Visa holders to assist with Australia’s economic recovery. The limitation has been lifted for work in any sector of the economy.

This temporary arrangement came into effect immediately on announcement on 19 January 2022. These arrangements will be reviewed by the Government in April 2022.

While these measures are in place:

• Students must maintain their course enrolment, attendance and satisfactory progress
• Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force will not cancel the visas of students working more than 40 hours per fortnight, not refer students for breaches of s235 of the Act related to working hours, not refer employers or labour hire companies for investigation for allowing students to work in breach of their visa conditions

Working Holiday Makers (WHM) – 6 month work limitation relaxed

• The 6 month limitation on working for the same employer or organisation has been lifted for WHM also effective from 19 January until 31 December 2022.
• WHM will not need to request permission to extend this employment.
• WHM visa holders must meet Australia’s vaccination requirements or have an approved travel exemption.

Bridging Visa B and Travel exemptions

While the Department continues to process Bridging Visa B applications, these BVB holders will be denied entry to Australia until travel restrictions are lifted, unless they have an approved exemption.

These new measures are great news for student and working holiday visa holders who are preparing to come to Australia in 2022.

For any assistance with Australian visas or if you require clarification on this update regarding student and working holiday visa, please contact VISA LOUNGE AUSTRALIA and our expert registered migration agents at info@visalounge.com.au