NEW VISA REG’S HELP STAFF CRISIS AS NSW EASES COVID RULES

The Federal Government has announced key changes to international border arrangements and working visas, as New South Wales further eases restrictions.

This week brought news that Federal rules on Australia’s borders change from 1 December, welcoming back international students, skilled migrants and pertinently, working holiday visas. (Full list of eligible visas) 

It is estimated there are more than 100,000 hospitality job vacancies around the country, and the relaxed conditions are expected to help address the staffing crisis gripping the industry.

Wes Lambert, CEO of the R&CA, which has advocated for the changes for months, suggests “Safely allowing these workers back into Australia will turbocharge the local economy” and keep venues open.

Border news bolsters further announcement by the Morrison Government encouraging foreign workers to remain in Australia. It is becoming easier for eligible skilled migrants to stay in the country and attain permanent residency. 

This scheme for permanent residency affects Legacy Temporary Work Skilled (subclass 457) visa-holders, who account for the majority of visa workers in hospitality, and Existing Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa-holders.

Regional Australia will also benefit, with extension for skilled regional provisional visa-holders (subclass 489, 491 and 494). 

Furthering the tide, on Thursday NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced changes to the NSW reopening schedule, lifting the majority of COVID-19 restrictions ahead of prior estimates.

The updated COVID-19 roadmap outlined that restrictions will ease when NSW reaches its double-dose vaccination target of 95 per cent, which is projected to happen by 15 December.

Key to the changes are the following:

• Masks will not be required in hospitality, except for indoors front-of-house staff who are not fully vaccinated. They will also still be required on public transport and planes, and at airports
• Density limits of one person per two square metres will be scrapped for pubs and hospitality
• COVID safety plans will become optional
• QR check-ins will still be required at high-risk venues, including pubs, small bars, registered clubs and nightclubs, as well as hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, hairdressers and beauty salons
• Venues will no longer be required to ask for proof of vaccination, but may maintain the requirement at their own discretion

New South Wales is already at 92 per cent of people aged 16 and over double vaccinated, which Perrottet says has made the relaxing of rules possible.

“The easing of these restrictions will allow people to get out and enjoy summer, providing a boost for some of our hardest industries as we do everything we can to ensure we keep people safe as we learn to live with COVID.”