Temporary Exemptions for Student Visa Holders – Maximum work hours

Temporary Exemptions for Student Visa Holders – Maximum work hours

The temporary relaxation of maximum work hours for students has been introduced to ensure the supply of critical services during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The department will be taking a flexible approach to student visa holders working above their usual maximum weekly work hours, but only in specific industry sectors.

Students can now work more than 40 hours a fortnight if they are:

  • employed in the Tourism and Hospitality sector
  • employed in the Agriculture sector
  • employed by a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider (NDIS)
  • enrolled in a health care related course and you are supporting the health effort against COVID-19, as directed by health officials
  • employed by an aged care Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID, before 8 September 20​20

Employers​

These newly introduced measures will be regularly reviewed by the government and employers will be updated accordingly. Employers will receive a notice when these measures no longer apply.

While these measures are in place, the Department of Home Affairs will NOT:

  • cancel the visas of students who work in excess of 40 hours each fortnight to support your organisation
  • refer student visa holders for investigation of any potential offence that might relate to the hours worked by a student visa holder in breach of their visa conditions
  • refer you or relevant third-party labour hire companies, as an employer, for investigation of any potential offence that might relate to allowing a student visa holder to work in breach of their visa co​ndi​tions.​​

​​Student visa holders​​

Student visa holders do not need to apply for this temporary measure. You should contact your employer for further information.

NDIS providers

There is no requirement for NDIS providers to register with the Department of Home Affairs. These providers should see the letter provided to them by the NDIS Commission for further details. See a list of NDIS providers​.

If you have any questions or would like further advice regarding the above mentioned exemptions, feel free to Get In Touch with one of our Registered Migration Agents

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