Australia Tightens Temporary Work Visa Regulations

Australia has announced tighter regulations for temporary work visas, primarily affecting the subclass 400 Short Stay Specialist visa. Under the new rules, most temporary work visas will now be limited to a maximum stay of 30 days, with stricter scrutiny applied to applications for six-month visas. The government aims to prevent misuse of these visas as alternatives to the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa.

The Department of Home Affairs will conduct more thorough evaluations of applications, ensuring that they do not disadvantage local job seekers. While six-month visas will still be available, they will only be granted in exceptional cases where prolonged stays are necessary.

Furthermore, temporary work visa holders will be limited to a total stay of three months within any 12-month period. This policy prohibits re-entry to Australia for those who leave before reaching the three-month threshold, making it more difficult for temporary workers to extend their stays.

These changes are part of a broader trend in Australia, which has recently imposed similar restrictions on international student visas, aiming to manage the influx of foreign workers and students more effectively.