This petition is asking the Australian Government for more transparency and support for Temporary Visa Holders applying for and/or on the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa. To fulfill the PM's promise that temporary visa holders who are able to help support Australia during this time of crisis, a world pandemic will be welcome to stay. 

For applicants who can financially support themselves without Government assistance and who contribute to the Australian economy, who didn't get to enjoy a typical year of travel, to really experience the true beauty of Australia and it's culture the way others have in the past. 

I make this plea especially for the applicants working in "critical sectors", as shown on the Department of Home Affairs' Immigration website:

"Critical sectors including agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care during the COVID-19 pandemic."

For applicants who have applied multiple times for a 408 visa, only to be awarded less time than they requested. Who are unable to get clarification for why decision was made, no option to dispute said decision, or even speak to the Agent who made it. To the applicants who are left to post on social media for support, as migrant lawyers are left only guessing why decisions get made as they look over already submitted visa application.

In 2019, tourism in Australia accounted for 3.1% of the national GDP, contributing  $60.8 billion to the Australian economy (source: Australian Tourism Statistics 2020 by Budget Direct).

We are grateful to the Australian government for creating this pandemic visa and our request is simple and inexpensive. In fact, it would save the Australian government money and create more stabililty for temporary visa holders who would like to lawfully stay in Australia and contribute to the Australian economy. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison himself even said on April 3rd, 2020:

"For those backpackers in Australia who are nurses or doctors, or have other critical skills that can really help us during this crisis, then there will be opportunities for them."

To the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, Alex Hawke MP, and Karen Andrews MP:

We kindly ask you to help all 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa holders & applicants in Australia by having DoHA Case Agents spend 5 minutes calling visa applicants for a quick chat to confirm the applicant's desired length of stay, look over already submitted supporting documentation, and if any additional  documentation is viral to achieve the visa requested stay. As DoHA case agents already sign with their position number at the bottom of Grant Notification letters, and already have the authority to request additional details from the applicant during review.

This request is straightforward to implement, and would make a world of difference to temporary visa holders who would like to lawfully stay and continue supporting Australian communities during this time.