Australia announces 6-months renewal window to skilled worker visa holders

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced plans to grant 6 month renewal window to skilled worker visa holders in their country.

This was disclosed in significant revisions to visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608, set to take effect from July 1, 2024.

According to authorities these changes aim to address unfair labor practices and enhance the labor market mobility for temporary migrants holding the following visas: Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).

The new update highlights the extended flexibility for visa holders who cease employment with their sponsoring employer. Under the new regulations, these individuals will have up to 180 days at a time,(6 months) with a cumulative maximum of 365 days(1 year) during the visa period, to secure new sponsorship, apply for a new visa, or arrange departure from the country- Visa guide first reported.

During this grace period, visa holders are permitted to work for other employers, including in occupations not listed in their most recent sponsorship nomination, enabling them to sustain themselves while seeking new sponsorship.

The Department of Home Affairs mandates that sponsors must notify any changes in the visa holder’s employment status within 28 days.

Furthermore, visa holders are prohibited from engaging in work inconsistent with the license or registration requirements for their nominated occupation.

“The changes apply to existing visa holders, as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024. Any periods a visa holder stopped working for their sponsor before 1 July 2024 will not count towards the new time periods outlined above.” the Australian authorities stated.