Working holidays, as they are known, are becoming incredibly popular in Australia, and if you’ve been considering heading to the land Down Under to work and travel, there are several things you will need to consider beforehand.

Arguably the most important thing that you will need to take care of well in advance is applying for an Australian Working Holiday Visa.

What is an Australian Working Holiday Visa?

An Australian Working Holiday Visa is a visa for young individuals from other countries, aged between 18 and 30. This visa gives them the opportunity to travel in Australia while being able to work and earn money to continue their travels.

This visa allows you to:

  • Study in Australia for up to 4 months
  • Leave and re-enter the country as much as you like (while the visa is valid)
  • Stay in the country for up to 12 months, potentially 24 months but more info on that later
  • Work for a total of six months

Who is Eligible for Working Holiday Visas?

There are two different categories of Working Holiday Visa in Australia. Each depends on what country you are applying from.

The two Working Holiday Visa categories are subclass 417 and subclass 462.

Australia's Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417

The subclass 417 visa is considered the most popular of the two. It is available to individuals from the following countries:

  • United Kingdom
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • The Republic of Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • The Republic of Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • The Republic of Korea
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Taiwan
  • Hong Kong

 

*With subclass 417 visas, as Australia’s farming and agricultural industries are currently in such high demand, anybody on one of these visas that have worked in the farming and agricultural industry for three months or longer, can renew their visa for a 2nd consecutive year.

Australia's Working Holiday Visa Subclass 462

Applicants for the subclass 462 visa must be between 18 and 30-year old and are looking to visit and work in Australia for just twelve months.

This visa is eligible for people from the following locations:

  • Chile
  • Bangladesh
  • USA
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Argentina
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia

Before Applying for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Before you apply for your visa, there are a few things that you will need to consider.

You will only have one chance to use your WHV, so if you plan on only visiting for a short amount of time because you are thinking of returning for a longer period later, you may wish to hold off on working until you are sure you can work for at least three months. If not then consider a tourist visa for three months which doesn't allow you to work in Australia.

When you enter the country, you must have enough money to be able to support yourself financially, before you begin work, or begin looking for work.

What are the Basic Requirements for Working Holiday Visas?

The basic requirements for obtaining one of these visas are:

  1. At the time of your visa application, you must be 18 years or older, but not have turned 31 or older.
  2. You must not have entered Australia on a WHV in the past.
  3. You must be outside of Australia when you apply for the visa.
  4. Individuals will need to ensure that they apply no longer than 12 months before they intend on travelling to Australia.
  5. You must undertake a form of temporary employment.
  6. You must pay a visa fee of $440 AUD and for subclass 417 a non-internet application charge for $80 AUD.
  7. Within the 12 month period, you can enter and leave the country as much as you wish.
  8. You are allowed to enter Australia at any time within the first 12 months of the grant date of your visa.
  9. You must be in possession of a passport from an eligible country with at least six months left until renewal.
  10. You cannot have a child dependent accompanying you.
  11. You must not have any serious criminal convictions.
  12. You must not have any medical issues which could be deemed as critical.

Applying for a 2nd Year Working Holiday Visa

Individuals working in specified industries (farming and agriculture, plant and animal cultivation, fishing, mining and construction, and tree farming) have the option to renew their Working Holiday Visa for a second consecutive year willing allow them to extend their stay in Australia from 12 months to 24 months. These 2nd-year applications can be made onshore in Australia, as well as offshore.

What Are You Taking to Sydney When You Move? Do You Know Yet?

The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.

But you do have to get a shipping quote ASAP, especially now.

Why? Because international moving companies need to schedule your move to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping.

When filling out the form below…

  1. You don’t need a street address for where you’re moving to, only the city and country. What they really want to know is the main shipping port.
  2. Moving date is an estimate. You don’t need exact dates right now. Go with your best guess.
  3. Estimate volume is an estimate. Don’t bother with calculating your volume. Use one of the estimates below for your estimated volume.
    • Studio or 1 Bedroom —> 20 m3
    • 2 Bedroom —> 25 m3
    • 3 Bedroom —> 30 m3
    • 4 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom + Car —> 50 m3
  4. Use your “real” contact details for BOTH phone and email. Yes, the form is secure. If you don’t use your real contact details, then they can’t get in touch with you for your quote. Makes sense, right?