A Guide to the Australian Working Holiday Visa.

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Young people that wish to work and travel in Australia should look into the Australian Working Holiday Visa. Offering holders the opportunity to experience the country first-hand whilst funding their trip through work, this pathway is optimal for those looking at a temporary stay in Australia.

In this extensive guide, we’ll be covering who can apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa, eligibility requirements, and other FAQs on the topic.

What is an Australian Working Holiday Visa?

An Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) allows holders to live, work and travel throughout the country for 12 months.

This visa pathway is intended for applicants that wish to take an extended trip around Australia. Simultaneously, they’ll be able to work throughout the country, thus allowing them to pay towards their holiday.

The visa is part of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. This entices young people from over 40 different countries to come to Australia and build strong connections with the country.

What’s the difference between a Working Holiday Visa and a Work and Holiday Visa?

Whilst these two visas have different names, they are more or less the same. They both offer young people an opportunity to explore the country whilst working alongside it.

The only major difference is the countries that you can apply from:

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, you must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30. The cap changes to 35 if you’re Canadian, Danish, French or Irish.
• Have a valid passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction. Your passport must also have blank pages in order for you to travel to Australia.
• Bring no dependent children with you.
• Meet the basic health and character requirements. Australia restricts certain people from entering the country depending on their health and character. This includes having a severe criminal record or certain illnesses.
• Sufficient finances. You’ll need to prove that you have the money to support yourself when you arrive in Australia. This tends to be AUD 5,000 (roughly £2,640) minimum.

It’s always best to consult a professional to see what the best visa pathway is for your situation.

How can I apply for a Working Holiday Visa?

Applying for a Working Holiday Visa is a relatively straightforward process. It involves several steps:

1. First, you must make an account on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
2. Next, you’ll need to fill in all required details and include all relevant documents.
3. After, you may need to provide further information so that the Department of Home Affairs can determine your health and character.

Once you have provided all necessary information, you’ll receive a visa outcome.

What documents will I need to provide?

Some of the documents you may need to provide include:

• Valid passport from an eligible country
• Birth certificate that includes the names of both parents
• Change of name documents (if you’ve changed your name)
• Bank statements or accounts that show you have money to support yourself
• Character documents including criminal or military records

The documents you’ll need will change on a case-by-case basis.

Can you apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa twice?

Yes. In fact, you can apply for Australian Working Holiday Visas up to three times.

Each additional visa gives the holder an extra 12 months within the country, totalling 36 months if you apply for all three visas.

Do I have to apply from outside of Australia?

To apply for your first Working Holiday Visa, you must be outside of Australia.

If you’re applying for your second or third visa, you can apply from within the country.

How much does an Australian Working Holiday Visa cost?

The cost of an Australian Working Holiday Visa is AUD 510. This equates to roughly £270.

Each instance of the visa, regardless of if it’s your first, second or third time applying, costs the same.

How long does an Australian Working Holiday Visa take to process?

The processing time for this visa is relatively quick when you compare it to other pathways like skilled work or family visas.

The majority of Working Holiday Visas only take a couple of days to process. However, this time may extend to a few weeks if the Department of Home Affairs has issues with your application.