Our Guide to Australia Working Holiday Visa [Australian Visa Subclass 417] – Work and Travel in Australia

Australia, the land down under, is a gorgeous country that has a lot to offer; from the Great Barrier Reef, beautiful ranges to hike, Sydney’s Opera House and a lot more. This country is so big (the sixth-largest in the world), a month would never be enough! That’s why you need to apply for an Australia Working Holiday Visa!

Imagine if you had the opportunity to stay in Australia for a year or two or three and get the change to explore this great big nation and have money to spend. Well, this is true for certain eligible citizens; they can live and work in Australia.

Australia has a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417). Australia Working Holiday Visa is a program for young adults who want an extended holiday in Australia and to work there to fund it. An eligible candidate can apply for a working holiday visa and get approved three times, so a total of 3 years in Australia. Do you want to know if you are eligible? Read and find out.

Who can apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa?

Citizens of the following countries:

• Belgium
• Canada
• Republic of Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
• Republic of Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Age Requirement

• 18 – 30 or 35 years old
  Aged 35 is for Canadian, French and Irish Citizens
• Must be 30 or 35 before a decision is made
• If you turn 31 or 36, on the day or before you go to Australia and already granted a visa, it is okay

Have Enough Money

• To support yourself while you are in Australia and when you leave the country
• Usually about AUD 5,00 plus fare when you are leaving

Meet these other requirements

• Health requirement
• Character requirement (no crimes or offences)
• Sign the Australian values Statement

Not allowed if

• Accompanied by dependent children
• Entered Australia on Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)
• A visa has been cancelled or refused when in Australia
• Have a substantial criminal record or not of good character

Required Documents

For Identification

• Valid Passport showing your bio-page
• Copy of your birth certificate showing both parent’s names
• If the name is changed, provide proof like marriage or divorce certificate, and the like

For Funds

• Evidence that you have enough money for your stay – usually AUD 5,000 + ticket price when you’re leaving
• Bank statement or Certificates are okay
• You may also attach your outgoing ticket after your stay

Character documents

• Overseas police Clearance

If there are non-English documents, it must be translated

When can you apply?

Processing usually takes 9-18 days, but you can process at least a month before your intended date.

You can apply for a second working holiday visa; you can apply after you have completed 3 months of specified work while holding your first Working Holiday visa.

You can apply for a third working holiday visa; you can apply after you have completed 6 months of specified work while holding your second Working Holiday visa.

How much is the fee?

AUD 510, 12 months (for your First, Second and Third Working Holiday Visa)

Step by Step Guide to Applying for Australia Working Holiday Visa

Step 1: Gather Documents

Gather documents that will prove:

• your identity
• you have enough money to stay and leave
• you are of good character

Step 2: Apply for a Visa

• Log in or create an ImmiAccount
• Attach Documents (must be colored)
• Pay application fee (AUD 510)
• Note transaction reference number

Step 3: After Application

• Embassy might ask for biometrics or health examination, but wait for them to contact you
• Don’t buy your tickets yet
• If some documents are not yet attached or the embassy needs more, send them right away
• If there are mistakes or things have changed – please inform the embassy immediately

Step 4: Visa Outcome 

A decision will be sent to you

If a visa is granted, you will be informed about

• visa grant number
• date visa starts
• visa conditions

Keep a copy when you are in Australia

However, if you are denied, you will be informed about

• why the visa was refused
• if you have a right to a review of the decision

More information with your Australian Working Holiday Visa

Things you can do with your Australian Working Holiday Visa

• do short-term work in Australia to help pay for your holiday. However, you can only work for the same employer for 6 months
• study for up to 4 months
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
• you can have a superannuation (compulsory retirement savings scheme)
• For the first working holiday visa: do 3 months of specified work to become eligible for a second Working Holiday visa. For the second, if you do 6 months already then you can apply for the third one.

Things you cannot do with your Australian Working Holiday Visa

• Work with the same employer for more than 6 months
• Main focus be work or study, get a work or student visa instead

Where to find jobs in Australia?

Online

You can Google jobs in Australia or Working Holiday Visa Jobs. The leading industries are farming, mining, tourism, logistics, and engineering. You can also check this website, which is by the Australian Government. You can do some research before your visa application or maybe apply so that when you arrive, you can work as soon as possible.

If you don’t have much experience, don’t worry as there are a lot of basic jobs out there that you can learn from. However, if you have one, you can use your knowledge and skills to your advantage.

News Paper

You can check out job vacancies in the national or local newspapers.

In-Person

Applying in person is quite a tedious process; handing out CVs to stores or offices that you don’t know if they are hiring or not. However, sometimes, you get to choose the stores and identify their locations plus they can interview you on the spot if you’re lucky.

Additional Tips When You Start Your Work -Holiday Visa in Australia

• You must pay taxes (15 cents on a dollar) when you work in Australia
• Claim your superannuation before you leave
• Get health insurance
• Living in rural areas are cheaper and in major cities, it would be quite expensive, so budget carefully
• Abide by the laws; Australia is pretty strict with protecting its flora and fauna, so respect nature
• Since you could only be with the same employer for 6 months, after that, go to another place or area
• Make new friends
• Explore and enjoy

If you are eligible, congratulations! I am a bit jealous since Philippine passport holders can’t get a working holiday visa in this fantastic country. You should think about this if it’s right for you and try it if you want to feel the culture of Australia. I hope you find this post very helpful in knowing more about the Australian Working Holiday Visa.

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