International students holding a subclass 500 visa studying nursing will see their work restrictions lifted. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced measures that would lift the work restrictions on the number of hours student visa holders can work. Currently, subclass 500 visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours a week in paid employment. For international student nurses that restriction would be lifted.
The measure is designed to help support Australia’s health system as the number of COVID-19 cases grows and the demand on the health services increases.
A release from the Prime Minister’s office stated that international student nurses would “provide workforce continuity for aged care facilities, home care providers and other health care workers.”
Under the arrangements, the students would be deployed to “provide workforce continuity for aged care facilities, home care providers and other health care workers”, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The announcement affecting student nurses holding a subclass 500 visa, comes after a similar announcement about extending working hours for student visa holders employed by Coles and Woolworth to help meet the demand for certain groceries.
