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.
- CatholicCare Tasmania
- Email: TVH.support@aohtas.org.au
- Phone: 1800 819 447
- Migrant Resource Centre North
- Phone: 6332 2211
- Visit: 95-99 Cameron Street, Launceston, and ask for temporary visa holder support
- Migrant Resource Centre (South only)
- Phone: 6221 0999
- Email (for food boxes): reception@mrctas.org.au (quote FOODBOXES in subject line)
- The St Vincent de Paul Society
- Multicultural Council of Tasmania
- Email (for food vouchers): office@mcot.org.au
Temporary visa holders can also access general emergency relief from a range of other non-government organisations.
Other assistance
Housing
- The Tasmanian Government’s COVID-19 Rent Relief has no citizenship or permanent residency requirements.
- For housing and support needs. Call 1800 800 588 or visit the Housing Connect website.
Training and skills
- If you are on a State Sponsored Skilled Migration Visa, a Humanitarian Visa or a Provisional Partner Visa and lost your employment you may be eligible for the Rapid Response Skills Initiative (RRSI). For more information, including eligibility, visit the Skills Tasmania website.
- All persons who hold a visa that allows them to work in Tasmania are eligible for the Rapid Response Skills Matching Service. This service matches job ready workers with employers and businesses seeking employees.
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.
Translated resources
See translated resources for more COVID related information.
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:
- your home country's embassy or High Commission in Australia
- the Department of Home Affairs’ Status Resolution Service
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.