January 20, 2022

Important changes to Australian visa work conditions for International Students and Working Holiday Makers

Australia is suffering from significant workforce shortages in all industries. The Australian Government announced that International Students allowed extra hours in all sectors of the economy. This takes effect immediately for all ongoing students as well as new student arrivals. This means that international students are allowed to work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of the economy. This also includes secondary applicants, e.g. partners.

New student visa arrivals are allowed to commence a job prior to course commencement. This means that international students and their dependents can work before their course commences and work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of the economy. 

This is a temporary arrangement and will be reviewed by the Australian Government in April 2022.

Good news also for Working Holiday Visa holders who will have no limit on the time they can work for the same employer. This is effective immediately until the end of 2022.

Furthermore, Student Visa holders may be eligible for a visa application charge (VAC) refund if they travel to Australia between 19 January to 19 March 2022. Further details on the refund policy are yet to be announced but it looks like it will only apply to applicants who applied whilst offshore.

Any Working Holiday Maker visa holder who is currently offshore and travels to Australia between 19 January and 19 April 2022 will be eligible for a refund of their visa application charge.

The current VAC for a Student visa is AUD630 and for a Working Holiday Maker it is AUD495. The VAC refund includes secondary visa holders, e.g. partners and children.

Want more information on the Student Visa? Click here

Want more information on the Working Holiday Visa? Click here

Looking for work? We publish jobs and sponsorship opportunities around Australia here

Want our help with the visa application process? We are immigration lawyers, migration + education agents. Book your strategy & advice call here

30 Replies to “Important changes to Australian visa work conditions for International Students and Working Holiday Makers”

  1. Tory Sment says: February 3, 2022 at 7:06 am

    Hi Auspire Team,

    I study graphic design. Is this change for all students and no matter what type of work?

    Thanks for keeping us up to date!!

    1. Auspire Immigration says: February 3, 2022 at 11:59 am

      Hi Tory,

      Yes it is indeed for all international students!! The Australian economy needs all hands on deck.
      Please reach out, if you need our assistance!

  2. Michael Nadeev says: February 6, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    Hi Auspire Team!

    I’m nearly finished with my degree and would like to apply for a 485 Visa. However, I’m not sure about which stream and if I qualify.
    Can you help me?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: February 6, 2022 at 2:01 pm

      Hi Michael,

      Yes sure, we are more than happy to help you!
      It depends what course you have studied and for how long. We can make an assessment of your visa eligibility, including the 485 Graduate Visa and the relevant streams. Please book your consultation here
      Speak soon!

  3. Wanda Jin says: February 21, 2022 at 6:16 pm

    Good day!

    I am an international student in Sydney and I would like to stay in Australia. Can you help me?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: February 21, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      Hi Wanda,

      Yes absolutely, we can help you! In fact it is our specialty to help clients get from Student Visa to Permanent Residency in less than 5 years!
      Book your call with our migration team for advice and assistance!

      We are very excited to assisting you!!

  4. Sasha Kulca says: February 22, 2022 at 8:44 pm

    Hi Auspire Team!

    I’m on a 485 Graduate Visa and want to get Permanent Residency. I don’t know if I have any chances and I would like you to help me. I heard really good things about your agency and that you have smart lawyers, good reviews.
    How much do you charge to get PR?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: February 23, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      Hi Sasha!

      Yes of course, we would love to help you gain Permanent Residency in Australia. The 1st step is a consultation with our legal team so we can assess your visa options and work out a strategy for you!
      Book your appointment here
      Speak soon!

  5. Sam Elliot says: June 25, 2022 at 3:07 pm

    Thanks so much for the information and visa advice!
    I want you to help me with my Permanent Residency.
    I’m currently on a 485 Post-Graduate Visa.
    When is the best time to contact you and start the application process?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: June 27, 2022 at 10:13 am

      Hi Sam,

      You are very welcome!
      Yes of course, we’d love to assist with your PR.
      The 1st step is to book a consultation so we can assess your visa options, eligibility, requirements, etc.
      You can book your online appointment here

      We are excited for you and looking forward to working with you!

      Speak soon.
      The A-Team

  6. Michael Dunn says: June 27, 2022 at 11:39 am

    I work in a cafe and saw that you are getting visas for baristas. How can I apply for this?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: July 22, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      Hi Michael,

      Yes we can assist you! Baristas are part of the hospitality occupations that can be sponsored and you can get Permanent Residency with the right visa.
      Contact our office and book an appointment!
      Speak soon 🙂

  7. Karla Lund says: June 29, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    Hi A-Team!

    I’m an international student and I would like your help with getting my PR!
    My friend recommended your agency so I’m hoping you can help me too.
    Is it possible to get advice over WhatsApp?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: July 22, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      Hi Karla,
      That’s great to hear your friend recommends us!
      Of course, we’d love to help you with your permanent visa!!
      Book in for a consult and we put together a strategy for you.
      We can speak with you via WhatsApp, Zoom or telephone!

  8. Maria Anil says: July 8, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    Hi Auspire Immigration,

    I would like to add my partner to my visa. Can you help us with this?
    Thank you!

    1. Auspire Immigration says: July 22, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Maria,

      Yes of course, we can assist you and your partner!
      Please contact us and book a consultation so we can get this done for you asap.

  9. Sam Story says: July 23, 2022 at 9:53 am

    Hi there,
    I am currently on a 482 visa working as a cook have completed my cert 4 in commercial cookery. i am now looking for a pathway to permanent residency. i moved to Australia from the uk in 2015 and did 2 years on a working holiday visa. i have then since been sponsored on 2 x 482 visas, i have spent most of the time in central Australia working remote. I love Australia and have decided that i would like to stay. my current visa runs out in march 2023, i have a current Australian police check and i am waiting for my UK one to come back. hopefully there is a way for me to get residency.

    Thankyou
    Sam Story

    1. Auspire Immigration says: July 25, 2022 at 3:05 pm

      Hi Sam,

      That is great! Yes there are permanent visa options for cooks in regional Australia.
      Please book a consultation with our Migration Team so we can assess your visa eligibility and put a strategy together for you!
      Book your online Zoom appointment here

  10. Marie Ronnie says: August 22, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    Hello Auspire Immigration!
    What is the best way to Permanent Residency?

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Auspire Immigration says: August 22, 2022 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Marie,

      Thanks for your comment. We can certainly assist you with identifying the best pathways to PR for you.
      Best you book an appointment for a consultation here

      We look forward to assisting you!

      Speak soon.

  11. Fred August says: August 25, 2022 at 8:35 pm

    Hi A-Team!
    I’m looking for a sponsor. Can you help me?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: September 4, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      Hi Fred,
      Yes of course, we can assist!
      You can find an overview of our current vacancies here
      What is your occupation?

      We look forward to assisting you!

  12. Amy Mingon says: August 25, 2022 at 10:42 pm

    Dear Auspire Team!
    I’m looking for a migration agent to help me with my Permanent Residency.
    It’s been very hard and I really need experts who know what they are doing.
    A few of my friends have used your services and have been so happy!! All visas approved.
    What is the best way to get in contact?

    1. Auspire Immigration says: September 4, 2022 at 8:37 pm

      Hi Amy!
      That’s great your friends recommended us!
      We’d love to help you get PR.
      The 1st step is to book a consultation here
      Speak very soon!

  13. Sammy B says: September 21, 2022 at 12:01 am

    Hi Auspire Immigration!

    Some of my friends have used your services and got Permanent Residency with you. I’d love to learn more about your offers and how you can help me!

    1. Auspire Immigration says: September 21, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      Hi Sammy,

      That’s great to hear your friends recommended our visa services. Yes, helping migrants to get PR is our specialty!
      The 1st step is to book a consultation so we can assess your visa options and give you a personalised strategy to achieve Permanent Residency the fastest and cheapest way possible!
      Book your Zoom video call appointment here

  14. Erik Tunden says: September 22, 2022 at 2:55 am

    Hi Team,
    I am currently in Melbourne on a Student Visa. I have family members in Australia who have permanent residency and citizenship. Can they sponsor me so I can stay in Australia?
    Please help. I am getting a bit desperate! Thank you.

    1. Auspire Immigration says: May 13, 2023 at 11:13 am

      Hi Erik,
      Thanks for your enquiry. What are you studying?
      Family members can sponsor for certain visa subclasses. For example, subclass 491 family sponsored. We can check, if you qualify for the 491 Visa or any other visa that allows you to stay in Australia. Book your consultation appointment here

  15. Yusuf fahdi says: October 4, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    Hi Team!
    I don’t know what visa I qualify for. Can you help, please?
    Thanks!

    1. Auspire Immigration says: May 13, 2023 at 10:56 am

      Hi Yusuf,
      Yes absolutely, we can assist. We have a consultation service which you can book here
      Speak soon!

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