Ο κ. Παπαστεργιάδης, και ο Γενικός Γραμματέας της Κοινότητας, Κώστας Μάρκου, πρόκειται να συναντήσουν τον υπουργό, την προσεχή Δευτέρα.
Το υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης, σήμερα, εξέδωσε ανακοίνωση με την οποία προβαίνει στη λήψη μέτρων σχετικά με όλους όσους βρίσκονται στη χώρα με προσωρινή άδεια παραμονής.
Μια από τις βασικότερες πρόνοιες για όσους είναι σπουδαστές ή εργαζόμενοι σε συγκεκριμένες θέσεις απασχόλησης, λόγω έλλειψης προσφοράς εργατικού δυναμικού, είναι η δυνατότητα να αποκτήσουν πρόσβαση στο ταμείο super, το οποίο διαθέτουν.
Όσον αφορά, επισκέπτες στην Αυστραλία, η σύσταση είναι η επιστροφή στην πατρίδα τους το συντομότερο δυνατόν.
Ακολουθεί το σχετικό δελτίο τύπου του υπουργείου Μετανάστευσης, στα αγγλικά.
MEDIA STATEMENT
4 April 2020
Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders
The Government is making a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements
during the coronavirus crisis in order to protect the health and livelihoods of Australians,
support critical industries, and assist with the rapid recovery post the virus.
There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa.
All were welcomed to Australia on a temporary basis for different reasons including to fill
skills shortages; to study as full fee-paying international students; to visit family and friends;
or to work and holiday.
They are an important part of our economy and society. For example, there are over 8,000
skilled medical professionals on temporary visas supporting our health system right now.
While citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders have access to unconditional
work rights and government payments (including the new JobKeeper and JobSeeker
payments), temporary visa holders do not.
There has always been an expectation that temporary visa holders are able to support
themselves while in Australia. The changes announced today will help facilitate this for
those who may be stood down or lose work hours as a result of the coronavirus.
In line with changes being made for Australian citizens and permanent residents, most
temporary visa holders with work rights will now be able to access their Australian
superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis.
Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements
over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home. For these individuals it’s
time to go home, and they should make arrangements as quickly as possible.
Changes are also geared toward enabling temporary visa holders to remain in key industries,
such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing.
Importantly, they can help boost front line health numbers, get food from farms to our
shops and ensure critical services continue.
Temporary visa holders are extremely valuable to the Australian economy and way of life,
but the reality is that many Australians will find themselves out of work due to the dual
health and economic crisis we’re currently facing, and these Australians and permanent
residents must be the Government’s number one focus.
Visa changes
The following new measures will apply to the major classes of temporary visa holders. The
situation will be reviewed periodically and further changes made if required.
Visitor visa holders
There are 203,000 international visitors in Australia, typically on a visa lasting three months
or less.
International tourists should return to their home country as quickly as possible, particularly
those without family support.
Thousands are already doing this and others should follow their lead.
International students
There are 565,000 international students in Australia, mainly studying in the higher
education or vocational education sector. They are an important contributor to our tertiary
sector and economy, supporting 240,000 Australian jobs.
Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their
own savings to sustain themselves in Australia. As part of their visa application,
international students have had to demonstrate that they can support themselves
completely in their first year.
Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial
hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.
The Government will undertake further engagement with the international education sector
who already provide some financial support for international students facing hardship. For
example, we understand there are some education providers that are providing fee
discounts to international students.
The Government will also be flexible in cases where Coronavirus has prevented
international students meeting their visa conditions (such as not being able attend classes).
International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.
International students working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to
support these critical sectors.
International students working in the major supermarkets had also had these hours
extended to help get stock on shelves during the high demand. From 1 May, their hours will
return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight as more Australians are being recruited into
these roles.
