Because of the new conditions regarding COVD-19, many students especially international students are left confused related to their visa status, employment and other individual-specific queries.
With this information on this page, our effort is to give answers to such queries based on the information provided by the Home Affairs Australia.
About Extension of Your Stay On A Student Visa
What if my student visa is expiring and I am in Australia?
According to migration law, you cannot extend a student visa.
But for many international students, a situation arises to extend their stay on a student visa in many scenarios. You will need to apply for a new visa if you need to stay longer after your student visa expires.
For example, if you will need to apply for a new visa if:
- Your student visa is expiring and you cannot return to your home country before the stipulated date to leave Australia.
- Or you are not able to complete your course before your student visa expires.
In such case cases, remember to apply for a new student visa much in advance, at least six weeks before your current student visa expires. With the new student visa application, there is no need to provide the impacts of COVID-19.
If your study is completing, then you can apply for a Visitors Visa (Subclass 600). Remember to apply for the visa at least six weeks before your current visa expires.
Working Hours Restriction For International Students in Australia during COVID-19.
Working unlimited hours:
If your course is considered ‘out of session’ you can work for unrestricted hours. Your course is considered ‘out of session’ during the semester break or you have completed the course as scheduled.
OR
If you are studying a Masters by Research course of Doctorate Course, you may work for unrestricted hours.
What if you are studying online?
The 40 hours per fortnight work restriction has to be followed during your ongoing study, even if you are taking online classes because of COVID-19.
The course is considered ‘in session’ (even during the exam periods) during the ongoing semesters, even if the classes are held online.
What if your course is deferred?
You can work for more than 40 hours if your course has been deferred for some reason.
Exemptions for some International students.
Because of COVID-19, the government of Australia has announced new provisions for some student visa holders, such as:
- Students enrolled in Nursing Courses,
For students enrolled in a Nursing program can work for unrestricted hours even during their ongoing semesters.
- Students employed by the selected supermarkets,
For international students who work in major supermarkets are no longer restricted to work 40 hours per fortnight during their semesters. The government has announced a temporary relaxation on the 40 hours a fortnight work limit.
All major supermarket stores, such as Coles, Woolworth, and Aldi retailers have been allowed to employ students who are on a student visa for more than 40 hours a fortnight.
- Students working in Aged care.
International students who work in aged care facilities are also allowed to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight.
If you are an international student and not able to travel and you are not going with your studies as per planned course progress because of COVID-19, you do not need to notify the Department of home affairs related to situation change. Your visa will remain valid until it expires or you lodge another visa application. Your visa status will remain the same even if you are not able to travel to Australia and defer your studies.
