On 25 November 2023, the Department of Home Affairs brought the ‘concession period’ introduced in response to COVID travel restrictions to an end, key changes made as follows:
Subclass 408 (COVID Stream)
- Closed to all new applicants.
- Can only be applied for by current 408 Visa holders granted in the COVID stream until early 01 February 2024 as long as their current visa is expiring within 28 days of 01 February 2024, in which case a new 408 Visa can be granted for up to 6 months.
Subclass 309 (offshore) and 820 (onshore) Partner visa applicant
- Must be offshore for Subclass 309 and onshore for Subclass 820 application at time of lodgement.
- Both subclasses can be in or outside Australia at the time of grant.
- If certain conditions are fulfilled, 309 applicants can apply for a Bridging Visa to be issued in connection with the 309 Visa if certain conditions are satisfied.
Subclass 485 Graduate Visa Applicants
All applicants must now be in Australia at the time of lodging the visa application.