Update to International Student & Holiday Maker Work Visas

The absence of international students/workers over the past two years has had a significant impact across Australia.

International students/workers serve as a vital component of the workforce. The ability for them to return to the country with adjusted conditions offers businesses the opportunity to return to normal business practice.

This week, the Federal Government unveiled a plan to provide an incentive for Student and Working Holiday Maker visa holders to return to Australia as soon as possible to help with staff shortages.

Key points:

Any Student or Working Holiday Maker visa holder who is currently offshore and travels to Australia between 19 January and 19 March 2022 will be eligible for a refund of their visa application charge (VAC).
The Government has temporarily removed the limit on working hours for Student visa holders across all sectors.
The Government has removed the limitation for Working Holiday Maker visa holders to only work for 6 months with one employer.

You can read more about these changes here to ensure you take advantage of the changes and are administering your international workers accurately.

With these changes coming into play immediately, WorkPro is ready to assist with ensuring international workers visas are up to date and compliant. Our seamless integration with the VEVO database allows you to verify your workforce work rights, and automatic polling of this database will notify you of any change to said work rights!

If you’re not already utilising Work Rights Checks, then let’s have a chat about how this fundamental compliance check can assist your business!

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Background Checks in the Childcare sector : A Wake-Up Call for the Sector

By Ziggy Dequito • September 4, 2025

Background Checks in the Childcare sector : A Wake-Up Call for the Sector The early childhood sector is under national scrutiny again. This time, it's not just policy driving change, but public outcry. On 20 August 2025, Victoria released findings from its rapid review into early childhood safety, following disturbing revelations of serious abuse at multiple childcare services (The Guardian). The review found systemic failures in background screening and regulatory enforcement, prompting the state to announce a major overhaul of its child safety laws. Among the key issues: a childcare worker with a history of criminal behaviour was cleared to work, and multiple abuse allegations were mishandled due to poor internal reporting systems (ABC News). The Victorian Government has accepted all 21 review recommendations, including increased unannounced inspections, faster suspension powers, and mandatory public disclosure of breaches (Wyndham TV). While this latest case occurred in Victoria, the same risks exist elsewhere. That’s why the national reforms introduced earlier this year — from harmonised Working with Children Checks to compulsory child protection training — are more than just updates. They’re essential safeguards. With greater legal consequences for non-compliance, now is the time for childcare providers to ensure their employee screening, training, and reporting systems are watertight — because families, regulators, and the law are watching.