We need your help to show the Government how this issue has really affected you.

Please fill out this survey so we can support those economically vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic:

https://forms.gle/1rp1An9qUQgQdHJu7

We're respectfully calling on the Australian government to open up the new Job Keeper payment and early access to super scheme to 1.1 million temporary migrants in Australia who are not currently eligible.

Are you affected?

If you're on a 482 skilled migrant visa, 462 Working Holiday Maker visa or other temporary migrant visa, you're ineligible for financial assistance through these programs.

How did this come about?

In a press conference on March 30th, the Prime Minister confirmed the new Job Keeper payment will not be made available to temporary migrants other than New Zealanders. Last week the ATO confirmed the early access to super program is also closed to temporary migrants.

This represents a double whammy for skilled migrants and employers facing financial hardship during this period, and has the potential to affect 1.1 million workers in Australia.

Please sign this petition to help us call on the government to immediately: 

• Widen the eligibility for early access to super to temporary migrants, including skilled migrants on 482 visas and Working Holiday Makers
• Allow employed migrants on all visa classes to access the Job Keeper payments, if they fulfil all other eligibility criteria, such as time at work

Why do we need this change to happen?

Many temporary migrants are locked out of the vast majority of Centrelink benefits. Without access to the super safety net and the newly announced Job Keeper program, many migrants will find themselves in financial distress if made unemployed.

Due to global border closures and flight disruptions, the vast majority of these temporary migrants will find it very difficult, if not impossible to return home in the near future.

Temporary skilled migrants are an essential part of the Australian economy, and the government must not abandon them as this rolling crisis continues. They make a huge contribution to the strength of our economy, and society, and we must treat them with the same care and concern as we treat all Australians.

Help us call on the government to immediately reverse both of these decisions to:

• create more certainty for employers, who have often invested heavily in attracting offshore talent, and;
• protect migrants, who are increasingly becoming a marginalised sector of the community as this coronoavirus crisis unfolds.

Please sign this petition and show your compassion for the amazing global community of workers in our country, and share with as many people as you can so we can reach our goal of 5000 signatures and get this issue on our government's radar!!