On 20th July 2020, the Minister for Human Services; The Hon Alan Tudge MP and the Minister for Education; The Hon Dan Tehan MP, announced that the Morrison Government has further relaxed restrictions for Students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closure of our Australian borders has presented challenges to our international students. The announcement offers assurance and provides international students more confidence to make visa arrangements to remain or travel to Australia when borders reopen.
“These new regulations are intended to help welcome back international students in a COVID safe way once state borders re-open and face-to-face learning resumes” Mr. Tehan, The Minister for Education, said.
In this regard, the following five visa changes have been made:
- The granting of student visas lodged outside Australia will be recommenced. Thereby, when borders re-open, students who have already obtained visas may make travel preparations.
- If you are unable to complete your studies during your original visa validity time frame, you may lodge a further visa application, free of charge.
- If you hold a student visa, but are engaging in online studies outside of Australia due to COVID-19, your studies will still qualify for a post-study work visa.
- Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if unable to return due to COVID-19
- Additional time will be given to applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.
Further, the regulations on students working in health, aged case and disability care sectors have been relaxed and the government has been flexible where international students have been incapable of meeting visa conditions such as maintaining class attendance due to COVID-19.
If you are a student and require assistance submitting your student visa applications/renewals please contact Kah Lawyers on (02) 9689 31 73 for a telephone or video conference.
Disclaimer: This information is current at the time of publication and subject to change. The contents of this blog post is provided for general information only and Kah Lawyers does not accept any liability for any damages suffered by persons who relied on this information. This information does not constitute legal advice and is not intended as a substitute for legal advice.