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Temporary visa workers and labour shortages 1. Temporary Visa Holders restricted to 20 hours per week of work – additional hours permitted in Lockdowns 2. Temporary Visa created by Minister Hawke – Covid 408 temp visa Australia has been facing a worker shortage in several industry sectors, particularly in grocery, supermarkets and the hospitality and tourism sectors. These industry sectors have largely been reliant upon students, backpackers and overseas visitors holding a temporary visa holder to fill the employment void, even though they can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week. COVID-19 has prevented overseas visitors from coming to Australia, and most other existing temporary visa holders have returned to their countries of origin, thus leaving these industry sectors short of available and flexible staff. More recently, with COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns, there has been a further labour shortage in grocery and supermarkets due to increased customer traffic and management of COVID compliance to maintaining safe workplaces and shopping environments. Earlier in 2021, as economies around Australia began to open, there was a demonstrable staffing shortage in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke created a new visa – COVID 408 – which enabled current Temporary Visa Holders who could not work more than 20 hours a week to work additional hours and gain a 12 months extension to their Temporary Visa if they transitioned to the Tourism and Hospitality sectors. The unintended consequences of this initiative, given the severe shortage
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of existing labour, the unintended consequences of this initiative are devastating for industries such as our Members in grocery and supermarkets. The additional hours and temporary Visa, 12 month Extension, would serve to supplant labour from our sector into tourism and hospitality. MGA has strongly suggested that this policy should be extended across all industries to avoid robbing Peter to pay Paul when it comes to addressing the current labour shortage being experienced by our members and other industry sectors. In addition to the COVID – 408 Temporary Visa Discussion, MGA was able to work with Minister Hawkes office to address the severe labour shortage during Lock Downs MGA was able to facilitate Temporary Visa Holders to work more than 20 hours per week during Lock Downs only. Given the uncertainty of the duration of these lockdowns, MGA
suggested that the time frame be national and should have a specific end date and be reviewed so that Businesses can plan their workforce and rosters accordingly. MGA also spoke at length with Michael Willard, First Assistant Secretary, Immigration Programs Division, Department of Home Affairs. Michael has assured MGA that this matter concerning the allowance for additional hours for Temporary Visa Holders and the Covid 408 Temp Visa being available to the retail sector will be “ taken up the line” for very serious consideration.
