The Australian Government is offering a variety of new visa support to international students in 2022. It containing an international student visa fee refund and temporary exclusion of limits on working hours for student, as well as standby Temporary Graduate 485 visa.
Student visa application fee refund
Student visa holders arriving in Australia between 19 Jan 2022 to 19 Mar 2022 will be refunded their study visa application fee. The refund affects to current visa holders and new students who enter in Australia within those dates. To apply for a refund, students will need to set up an account on the Home Affairs Visa Refund Portal and completed an online form. Eligible visa holders will be proficient to make a claim any time up to Dec 31st, 2022.
Covid-19 visa application fee waiver
Students already in Australia, who held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and could not finished their course during the original visa period as of the impacts of COVID-19, may be qualified to have their study visa application fee (VAC) waived when applying for a new student visa.
Temporary removal of restrictions on working hours for students
A temporary easing of work limitations for international student visa holders indicates there is no existing restriction on the number of hours for students. These changes will be evaluated in April 2022. The temporary exclusion of restrictions on working hours does not alter the necessity that students must still go through reasonable course enrolment, attending and progress conditions, and study obligations. International students stay protected by Australia’s workplace regulations and can register any worries to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Visa extension for eligible Temporary Graduate visa holders
From 18 Feb 2022, Graduate students who held a valid Temporary Graduate visa 485, were outside of Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 as travel restrictions, will have their visa extended to 30 Sep 2022. This visa extension is to allow qualified graduates to enter or stay in Australia, until they can apply for, and be granted, a alternative Temporary Graduate visa.
Replacement Temporary Graduate visas
Current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who lost time in Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions will be proficient to apply for a replacement visa. Applications for the alternative Temporary Graduate visa will be open up from 1 July 2022 and will offer the same duration of stay.
For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs.
