Temporary visa holders

Last Updated: 31 Jul 2020 5:13pm

Support for Tasmania's temporary visa holders

Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants

Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants are available for those who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

To apply, please call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

There is no requirement for temporary visa holders to be in quarantine or self-isolation to be eligible for the Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants.

To be eligible for assistance you must meet the following criteria:

  • currently reside in Tasmania; and
  • currently hold the following visas (see list below); and
  • can demonstrate hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible visa categories:

  • Student visas (Subclass 500)
  • Temporary graduates (Subclass 485)
  • Provisional Visa Holders (Subclass 489 & 491)
  • Temporary Skilled (Subclass 457 & 482)
  • Seasonal Worker and Pacific Labour Scheme Visas (403, 417 & 462)
  • Bridging Visas (Subclasses 010, 020, 030, 050 and 051)
  • Humanitarian Visas (Subclasses 785 and 790)

If you are not on one of the visa classes listed above (for example Partner Visas) and are suffering hardship without access to assistance, you should register your details through the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 so that your circumstances can be considered.

Australian Red Cross

Support is available to people in Australia with urgent needs who:

  • are not Australian citizens or permanent residents; and
  • have no income or savings and no access to other support.

The majority of people submitting an application who are found to be eligible for assistance will be provided with a small one-off payment. A small amount of financial assistance may be available to provide short-term support to a very small group of extremely vulnerable people who have no other means of support.

Red Cross has ongoing support for people seeking asylum who are not eligible for other services.

For more information on eligibility and to apply please visit the Red Cross website.

Emergency Relief and Assistance

Emergency relief providers help people in times of crisis.

The Tasmanian Government has funded the following organisations to provide this support to temporary visa holders.

Temporary visa holders can contact the below organisations for food, vouchers and other assistance.

Temporary visa holders can also access general emergency relief from a range of other non-government organisations.

Other assistance

Housing

Training and skills

  • If you are on a State Sponsored Skilled Migration Visa, a Humanitarian Visas or a Provisional Partner Visas you may be eligible for the Rapid Response Skills Initiative (RRSI). For more information, including eligibility, visit the Skills Tasmania website or call 1800 655 846.
  • All persons who hold a visa that allows them to work in Tasmania are eligible for Rapid Response Skills Matching Service. This services matches job ready workers with industries and businesses.

Mental health and wellbeing

  • Home isolation periods and/or the spread of COVID-19 can be stressful and may leave you feeling concerned. There are a range of support services available, including talking to a counsellor or other mental health professional.

Support for Temporary Visa Holders to return to their countries of citizenship

The Tasmanian Government’s Temporary Visa Holder Flight Assistance Program is now closed.

If you need assistance to return to your country of citizenship, you can contact:

Visa queries

If you need information about your visa, extensions, travel and other matters, the Home Affairs COVID-19 and the Border and Staying in Australia webpages have detailed information for temporary visa holders.