The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global travel and immigration, with Australia implementing various measures to manage its visa system during this unprecedented time. These measures have included the introduction of new visa subclasses and amendments to existing ones to accommodate the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. We give you all the useful information in this article.
The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
Following the COVID crisis, workers were able to apply for a 408 visa in Australia to continue working. The 408 visa (Australian Government endorsed events – COVID-19 Pandemic event) allows you to remain legally in Australia and work, if you are employed or have an offer of employment in any sector of the economy.
This visa allows you to stay up to 6 months if you applied on or after 2 September 2023.
Important
Since September 2023 to 31 January 2024, only existing COVID-19 Pandemic event visa holders are eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa. The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa will close to all applications on 1 February 2024.
If you apply on or after 2 September 2023, you will have to pay a Visa Application Charge and your visa will have a period of stay in Australia of up to six months if granted.
Eligibility Criteria
This visa is intended for temporary residents currently in Australia whether you work in critical sectors or not.
If you apply on or after 2 September 2023, you may only be eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if you:
- hold a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa that has 28 days or less remaining at time of application or
- held a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa that ceased within 28 days at time of application and
- are working or intending to work in Australia.
At time of application, you must provide evidence of your employment (or offer of employment).
You must also:
- Be able to support yourself and any dependants
- Meet the health requirement
- You must meet Australia’s character requirement.
- Have adequate health insurance
- Be a genuine temporary entrant
- Have paid back debt to the Australian Government
- Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
Apply for the visa
If you are eligible, you can apply for a Temporary Activity Visa (Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event)). The visa application is not free anymore and costs $405.
WHV refund or waiver
The government offered some solutions for those who could not enter Australia or had to cut short their stay because of the pandemic. Indeed, those measures concern working holiday visa makers, but also tourists, students, temporary skilled workers and temporary skilled workers.
Those who had to leave the country earlier or were not able to enter the country are now able to request a refund or a waiver on the government website.
Refunds and waivers are not available anymore. Applications are now closed.
More information and process to follow on : WORKING HOLIDAY AUSTRALIA: VISA WAIVER OR REFUND
 - eligibility, cost, how to apply, etc. Read more...){kind=link}
Hey, Im on a working holiday visa. However, im currently on Lombok and not allowed to enter Australia again right now. My visa runs out in october and I really wish to do my farmwork to get my second year. But if im not able to return to Australia in time to do it, will i never be able to work or apply for the second year?
Best Regards Oskar
Hi Oskar,
At the moment, if you have not done your 88 days you wont be allowed to reenter Australia on a WHV. However, the government may take some measures to ‘help’ WHV makers in your situation. As today nothing has been announced by the government. We will update the article if we have more information. Cheers
I have already completed my 88 days of farm work and looking to extend for my second year. Am i able to apply for the 408 visa now and then once its 12months are over, I apply for 2nd year on the WHV?
Hi Antoine, no you shouldnt be able to apply for a 408 at this stage. Cheers
Hi. I’m on covid visa 408 till October 2023, I’m wondering it’s possible to get another 408 visa or not, I heard you can actually get 5 times 408 visa no matter it’s pandemic or not, is it true? and since my current 408 expires on october, do I have to wait till September instead of July to apply for another 408 visa? Thanks.
Hi Niang, I do not think you will be able to renew the 408. Please contact the immigration to get their answer. Cheers
Thanks.
Hello,
I am traveling as a tourist to visit the country. But I would like to stay and work with the working holidays visa. However, I already had the visa during the Covid-19 and I returned to France. I wanted to resume the working holidays visa but I couldn’t because the application deadline was December 31, 2022. Are there any new measures for Covid-19 cases?
Thanks in advance !
Hi Amaury, unfortunately there is no extension to apply. If you didn’t complete your 88 days at the time, you won’t be able to apply for a new WHV. You ll need to go on a tourist or student visa for example. Cheers
Hi,
I was granted 408 covid visa for a year just now, and I was wondering if I am granted for my 2nd year of working holiday visa, will I be able to stay 1+1 years, and be able to start collecting days for my 3rd year of WHV?
Thanks
Hi Deryck, hard to give you a definite answer on this one. I advise you contact the immi for an official response. Cheers
Hi,
I’ve already done my 88 days (my first whv will expired on November) on September I’ve applied for the COVID visa and now I’m here with the COVID visa. Do I have to do again the 88 days to apply for the second whv? Many thanks
Hi Nesrine, no if you did your days it is all good. You will need to ‘prove’ those days when applying for your second year avec your 408 visa. Cheers
Hi. My first year WHV was up in June, and due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to complete my 88 days. I am currently on the Covid visa, and wondering if you can do your 88 days while on the 408 visa? Thanks!
Hi Lauren , I believe it is possible but you should check with the immi 🙂