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Working Holiday visa in Australia

Working Holiday visa in Australia

The Australian Government offers a limited number of Work and Holiday visas to young people of different nationalities who wish to live and work in Australia for some time.

Not everyone can access this type of visa, as they must meet a series of requirements, which include, coming from one of the countries that have a bilateral collaboration agreement with Australia. The objective of obtaining this visa is to promote and strengthen cultural exchange between countries.

These are the benefits that the Work and Holiday visa offers you: 

  • You can stay up to 12 months in Australia (you have the possibility of extending it for up to three years).
  • You can work full time (up to 6 months with the same employer).
  • You can enter and leave the country as many times as you wish (while the visa is active).
  • It is quite affordable: $485 AUD
  • As soon as they grant you a visa, you have one year to enter the country.

Within the Working Holiday Maker program, there are two types of visas to which you can apply depending on your country of residence.

  • Work and Holiday (subclass 417): This visa allows people aged 18-30 and Canadian, French and Irish citizens aged 18-35 to have their first long vacation in Australia and work here to finance their trip.
  • Work and Holiday (subclass 462): This visa allows 18-30-year-olds to have a holiday in Australia while they work here to finance their trip.

Frequent Questions

Can I work, study and volunteer with a Work and Holiday visa in Australia?

The Working Holiday Maker program has two types of visas: Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), so to apply to one of them you must check if your country is eligible for any of these two visas. The WHM program now includes more than 40 partner countries and/or jurisdictions in these two visa subclasses.
With these types of visas, you will be able to stay and work in Australia in all types of full-time, part-time, informal and shift work for up to 12 months. You can also do volunteer work.
Concerning studying in Australia, you can only take a course that lasts a maximum of four months while you work during your holidays.

Specified work and conditions

Working Holiday Makers in Australia can work in any occupation or industry while in Australia, generally for up to six months with the same employer.
All workers in Australia have the same rights and protections at work, regardless of citizenship or visa. You can also choose to do a specific job to be eligible for a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
The Working Holiday Maker program is not suitable for those seeking permanent work or full-time studies in Australia. If your main objective is to travel to Australia and look for work or study, you can find out about the student visa or skilled visa that best suits your needs.
You must know about the requirements of this visa, to validate the eligibility and the obligations that you have when submitting this application. There is a non-refundable fee when you apply.

What visa from the Working Holiday Maker program should I apply for?

Apply for work and holiday (Subclass 462) if you have a passport from one of the countries with which Australia has work and vacation agreements:
Argentina – Embassy of the Argentine Republic
Austria – Austrian Embassy
Chile – Embassy of the Republic of Chile
Czech Republic – Embassy of the Czech Republic
Ecuador – Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador
Greece – Embassy of Greece
Hungary – Embassy of Hungary
Indonesia – Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
Israel – Embassy of Israel
Luxembourg – Royal Embassy of Belgium
Malaysia – High Commission of Malaysia
Peru – Embassy of the Republic of Peru
Poland – Embassy of the Republic of Poland
Portugal – Consulate General of Portugal
San Marino – Secretary of State for Foreign Relations
Singapore – High Commission of the Republic of Singapore
Slovak Republic – Embassy of the Slovak Republic
Slovenia – Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
Spain – Embassy of Spain
Thailand – Royal Thai Embassy
Turkey – Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
Uruguay – Consulate of Uruguay
United States of America – Exchange Visitor Program
Vietnam – Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Apply for working holiday (Subclass 417) if you have a passport from one of the countries or jurisdictions with which Australia has work and holiday agreements:

Belgium – Royal Embassy of Belgium
Canada – High Commission of Canada
Cyprus – High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus
Denmark – Royal Danish Embassy
Estonia – Republic of Estonia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Finland – Embassy of Finland
France – French Embassy
Germany – German Missions in Australia
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China – Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Ireland – Ireland – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Italy – Embassy of Italy
Japan – Embassy of Japan
Republic of Korea – Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Malta – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion
Holland – Travel and residence in Holland
Norway – Royal Norwegian Embassy
Sweden – Swedish Migration Agency
Taiwan – Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Australia
United Kingdom – British High Commission
Agreements are regularly negotiated with other countries, so check the Department of the Interior website for the latest updates.

Can I apply for a second Work and Holiday visa?

If you intend to stay longer to learn more about Australia while you work, you can apply for a second visa which will allow you to stay for 12 more months.
To be eligible to apply, you must have or have previously held a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or subclass 462) and have completed three months in specific work in regional areas of Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa.
Regional areas you can work in are Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The jobs that you must perform to qualify for the second year of the visa are related to agriculture and livestock, although there are also options in the world of hospitality, tourism and fishing.
To be on the safe side, check that the regional area and the work you are doing are eligible per the requirements, as eligibility for the specified work changes between subclass 417 and subclass 462 visas.
You can apply for a second Working Holiday Maker visa either while you have your first visa or at a later date.
TO CONSIDER:
Second Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462):
• Have a passport from an eligible country.
• You can do any type of work while you are here.
• You must have completed 3 months of specific work for subclass 462.
• If you are in Australia, have a substantive visa or if your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago.
• Be between 18 and 30 years old.
• You can apply for a third Work and Holiday visa if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
• Not be accompanied by dependent children.

Second Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 417):
• Have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 visa.
• If you are in Australia, you must have a substantive visa or if your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago.
• Have a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction.
• Be between 18 and 30 years old, except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have completed 3 months of specific work of subclass 417.
• Not be accompanied by dependent children.

How can I apply for the Work and Holiday Visa?

To apply for the Work and Holiday Visa, you must take into account your nationality, since some countries can apply online while others must apply offline.
At the time of the visa application and granting process, you must be outside of Australia.
According to your nationality, you must take into account which process you should take:
Online applications: Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Slovakia, United States
If you have the nationality of any of these five countries, you will have to apply for the Work And Holiday online. All the candidacies of these nationalities that apply offline (by sending the documentation to the embassy), will be returned.
To apply online you must access the ImmiAccount of the Australian Government. Once inside you must click on “Login to ImmiAccount”, a login and registration window will open, so you will have to register if it is the first time you log in.
Once you are registered, on July 1 you must re-enter this page to apply for the Work And Holiday.
Offline requests: Rest of countries
To apply for this visa, you must fill out and send the form. Simultaneously, you must deliver all the required documents detailed above. It is important that you mark the boxes with a V and not with an X, as it has been a reason for the denial of the visa.
The request must be sent by post to the address that corresponds to your country. After submitting the visa application and the necessary documents, they will notify you that they have received all the information. After an approximate period of 27 to 35 days, you will be notified whether the visa is granted.

Do I have to have an English certificate to get the Work and Holiday Visa?

The Australian Government requires that the person applying for the visa (subclass 462) must have a functional level of English. You can demonstrate this by:
• Having obtained a final score of at least 4.5 in the IELTS (General Training Module) exam, performed no more than 12 months before submitting the visa application.
• Having obtained at least 32 points in the TOEFL test (IBT), taken no more than 12 months before submitting the visa application. The TOEFL ITP test is not acceptable.
• Having obtained at least 30 points in the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), based on the four components (speaking, reading, writing and listening), taken no more than 12 months before applying for the visa.
• Having obtained at least 147 points in the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) exam, based on the four components (speaking, reading, writing and listening), taken more than 12 months before submitting the visa application.
• Having completed all the years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in which all subjects were taught in English.
• Having completed at least five years of secondary education in an educational institution where all subjects were taught in English.
• Have successfully completed, in Australia, at least one year of study leading to a degree, post-secondary degree, diploma or associate diploma at an institution or institutions where all subjects were taught in English.
• Providing proof that you are the holder of a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, to a citizen of that country.
If you do not have the necessary level of English, you can prepare for the TOEFL or IETLS in Australia with a student visa and then apply for this visa.

Requirements for the Work and Holiday Visa Australia

To apply for the Work and Holiday in Australia, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Age: You must be between 18 and 30 years old to apply. If you turn 31 during your stay in Australia, no problem. But if you want to renew for a second year, you won’t be able to.
2. Nationality: The possibility of applying for the Work And Holiday depends on whether your country has a bilateral collaboration agreement with Australia. If your country is not in the lists, you must choose to apply for another type of visa.
3. Passport and Birth Certificate: It is necessary to have a valid passport of the nationalities with agreements. It must be current, so if it is close to expiring you must renew it.
* The photocopy of the passport that you will have to send has to be certified.
* The birth certificate with an international copy.
* Two recent passport photos.
4. Family: You must not have a dependent child in your care during your stay in Australia. You will also not be able to do a de facto visa, that is, a visa for your partner.
5. Demonstration of funds: You will have to demonstrate financial solvency by presenting the following evidence:
-Bank documents (account statement), showing funds equivalent to:
* AUD $5,000 (for accommodation expenses)
* AUD $1,800 (for tickets) or already have the return air ticket.
Note: If the funds are not your own, you must include a letter from the person who supports you financially, indicating that they provide you with financial support during your stay in Australia, plus a simple copy of their identification document.
6. Education: Certificates of Studies (subclass 462)
– Have a university degree, or
– Have successfully completed two years of university studies and been promoted to the third year, or
– Have a degree from a Professional Institute or Technical Training Centre (career of at least 2 years duration)
* N / A subclass (417)
You must have a photocopy of the title translated by a sworn translator and notarised.
7. Level of English: Demonstrate a level of functional English through (subclass 462)
-IELTS
-TOEFL
-Occupation English
Exam results must not be more than 12 months old.
* N / A subclass (417)
8. Medical requirements: You must meet certain health requirements that may vary according to your circumstances (nationality, the period of stay, country of origin, etc). We recommend that you check it on the official website of the Australian Government.
The results of the medical examinations that may be requested are valid for 12 months.
Also, you must take out medical insurance that covers medical expenses during your entire stay in Australia as a preventive measure.
9. Criminal record: You must present your criminal record.
10. Letter of Government Support: You need a letter of approval from the Government of your country, which confirms that you meet the requirements to access the visa. This letter is mandatory for all applicants except those of these nationalities: Argentina, China, Singapore and the United States.

Why is the Letter of Support important to request your Work and Holiday Visa

A letter of Support from the Government of your country is necessary to apply for the Work and Holiday since it confirms that you meet the requirements to access the visa.

Generally, this letter is issued by the Immigration Secretariat and is mandatory for all applicants except those of these nationalities: Argentina, China, Singapore and the United States.

To request the Approval Letter, you must present the following documents/visa subclass (462) in original and a simple photocopy:

  • Valid passport (photocopy in colour only the identity sheet).
  • Birth certificate.
  • Criminal record.
  • Affidavit before a Notary Public that you have no dependent children and that you will return to your country at the end of your stay in Australia.
  •  University Professional Title or Higher Technical Institute recognised by the Ministry of Education or a certificate from the house of studies that accredits 2 years of completed and approved studies.

This letter is a necessary condition, but it does not guarantee that you will be able to obtain the visa, as it depends on the Australian authorities.

If you are interested in applying for this visa, you must fill out a form stating:

  • What is the purpose of the trip to Australia, if it has a tourist objective, personal or professional experience.
  • Have not previously participated in the program.
  • Have completed at least two full years of higher education.
  • There is a commitment to return to your country once the stay in Australia is over.

APPLICATION PROCESS

After meeting all the requirements to apply for the Work and Holiday, the visa application is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (“DOHA”), along with the supporting documents.

In addition to documentation, you must also have sufficient funds to support yourself during the initial stages of your vacation. Besides, you must meet certain health requirements, such as showing evidence of contracting your health insurance in Australia.

You can enter Australia as soon as the visa is granted. Then you can work anywhere in Australia. If you want to study, you can only do it for a maximum of four months.

While being in Australia you will not be able to apply for another visa, so if you want to reapply for the work and Holiday for the second time, you must do so from your country of origin, and you have a maximum period of 5 years to apply again.

The time it takes for DOHA to process your application depends on their processing time service standards, and may also vary due to many other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors, and processing priorities. 

At Visado, we want you to fulfil your dream of migrating to Australia, that is why we will advise you regarding the application of your visa. This way you will have the security that your immigration process will be carried out in the best possible way.

Tourist visa

If you want to travel to Australia on vacation, you will need a tourist visa to enter the country.

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Student visa in Australia

With the student visa, international students will be able to study and train full time in Australia.

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Working Visa

With the correct skills and qualifications Australia needs, you can apply to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.

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Testimonials

  • It has definitely been the best experience of my life. During the year I was in Australia, I was able to meet unique people, taste incredible food and best of all, see exceptional places. I had the opportunity to work and in this way earn income and save. Thanks to Visado, I was able to make my dream of travelling to Australia come true.

    Robert Olson
    Student
  • My goal in Australia was to have a cultural exchange since I am excited to generate new ties with different people. With the advice from Visado, I was able to apply for a Work and Holiday, with which I could work full time and study an English course for 3 months. It has truly been a unique experience that I plan to repeat soon with the help of Visado.

    Sarah Lopez
    Student
  • What better experience than being able to work and live a vacation in Australia for a while. I thank Visado who helped me with the preparation of my application to the Work and Holiday, with which I could live unique moments in this country. I plan to apply again to this visa so that I can continue to know more about Australia. Thank you very much, Visado!

    Angel Torres
    Student

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