Visitors to Australia have been told to leave as the government rules out welfare

Tourists have been ordered to pack their bags and leave Australia as the federal government rules out handouts for visitors currently in the country during the coronavirus crisis.

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INTERNATIONAL tourists have been ordered to pack their bags and go home as Australia rules out welfare for foreign citizens during the coronavirus crisis.

All of the 203,000 travellers currently holidaying in Australia on visitor visas have been told to leave “as quickly as possible” as they will not get access to federal government support.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said thousands of people on temporary visas – either for work, study or holiday – had already left and it was time the remainder followed.

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“As much as it is lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times, at times like this if you’re a visitor in this country, it is time … to make your way home and to ensure that you can receive the supports that are available … in your home countries,” he said.

The federal government will today announce a number of changes to the temporary visa holder arrangements designed to support critical industries while protecting Australians.

There are more than 2.17 million people currently in Australia on temporary visas, including about 8,000 skilled medical professionals.

Backpackers pictured socialising with their vehicles parked under a footbridge at Bondi Beach on Friday. Picture: David Swift

Temporary visa holders – not including people from New Zealand – do not have access to government payments such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker, meaning as industries shut down their income opportunities are limited.

Under the changes, any of the 139,000 people in Australia on skilled visas who have been stood down, but not laid off, will retain their visa and be able to access up to $10,000 in superannuation this financial year.

While any of the 118,000 backpackers on Working Holiday visas working in the “critical” sectors of health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare will be exempted from normal rules limiting them to no more than six months with one employer.

They will also be able to extend their visa if it was otherwise due to expire by September.

But backpackers or skilled visa holders who cannot afford to support themselves are being told to leave the country.

Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said the changes would help boost front line health numbers and get food from farms to shops.

“Temporary visa holders are extremely valuable to the Australian economy and way of life, but the reality is that many Australians will find themselves out of work due to the dual health and economic crisis we’re currently facing,” he said.

“Australians and permanent residents must be the Government’s number one focus.”

International students will be encouraged to rely on family support, part time work where available or their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia.

Those who have been in Australia more than a year will also get access to their superannuation.

The government is also working with universities to provide financial support including fee discounts to students facing hardship, and will relax visa conditions such as attending classes while that is temporarily not possible.