As the name suggests, an Australian working holiday visa is a visa that allows you to work in Australia while on holiday. Famous for its incredibly diverse landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and great beaches, Australia is a dream destination for many.
If you are between 18 and 35, you may be eligible to stay longer in Australia and take up work to support your stay using the Australian working holiday visa. It's a popular option among young travelers, backpackers, and digital nomads seeking a long-term vacation while earning a living.
But like any visa, you must meet some qualifications to get approved for the working holiday visa. If you're interested to learn more about this, here's everything you need to know about the process and requirements for obtaining an Australian working holiday visa.
About the Australian Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) allows you to travel and work in Australia for a year. If you wish to stay in the country after a year, you will have a chance to complete regional work for another year. The WHV is a temporary visa encouraging young travelers to stay longer in Australia with an opportunity to earn a living.
The Australian working holiday visa only applies to those aged 18 to 30. For some nationalities, the maximum age limit is 35. Only citizens of certain countries are qualified for the visa. you can find the list below including the age limits.
Australian Working Holiday Visa subclass 417
- Belgium – 18-30 years
- Canada – 18-35 years
- Cyprus – 18-30 years
- Denmark – 18-30 years
- Estonia – 18-30 years
- Finland – 18-30 years
- France – 18-35 years
- Germany – 18-30 years
- Hong Kong – 18-30 years
- Ireland – 18-35 years
- Italy – 18-30 years
- Japan – 18-30 years
- South Korea – 18-30 years
- Malta – 18-30 years
- Netherlands – 18-30 years
- Norway – 18-30 years
- Sweden – 18-30 years
- Taiwan – 18-30 years
- United Kingdom – 18-30 years
Australian Working Holiday Visa subclass 462
This WHV subclass 462 is subject to country caps, you can see the caps here. 18-30 following countries can apply:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Chile
- China
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
Requirements for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Aside from nationality, one must meet some criteria to get qualified for the Working Holiday Visa. The basic requirements include the following:
- Must be between 18 and 30, although some nationalities can be eligible up to 35 years old.
- The passport must be valid for at least six months until renewal.
- Have enough funds to support your stay in Australia.
- Should not have any dependent child accompanying the applicant to Australia.
- Must be outside the country during the visa application and until it is approved.
- Do not have any substantial medical issues.
- Not charged with any crime.
Documents Required for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Before applying for the Australian Working Holiday Visa, you must first prepare the documents to submit. Also, be aware that you will have to undergo medical exams, although the embassy will let you know if it is required.
To apply for the Working Holiday Visa, you're going to need the following:
1. Identity Documents
- Pages of your passport showing your details, photo, and expiry date.
- Copy of your birth certificate indicating your parents' names. If you cannot provide one, you must submit a copy of a government-issued ID.
- If you have changed your name, you must show proof.
2. Enough Funds to Support Your Stay
You must submit an original copy of your bank statement showing you have enough funds to support your stay in Australia. It should have at least AUD 5,000. Also, you must prove you can afford to pay for a flight ticket to leave Australia after your working holiday visa expires.
3. Character Documents
As mentioned, one of the requirements for the visa is not to have any criminal convictions. During the application, the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs might require you to present the following documents:
- Australian police certificate if you spent 12 months or more in Australia during the past ten years.
- Overseas police certificate from your home country or anywhere you spent the past 12 months during the last ten years.
- Military discharge papers or service records if you serve in your home country's armed forces.
Ensure that all documents are in English. If you use a translator outside of Australia, you must include their name, address, contact details, qualifications, etc. Also, scan all documents in color. Make sure all information is clear.
Applying for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Now that you have prepared the requirements, it's time to send in your application of your Australian Working Holiday Visa. Here are the steps:
1. Create An ImmiAccount
First, you must register an account with the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, which allows you to save your application and continue anytime you want.
2. Begin the Application
Once you have an ImmiAccount, it's time to begin your application. Click on the option that says, “start a new application.” Choose the “Working Holiday Visa” from the list of categories.
3. Provide Your Information
After choosing the visa category, select whether this is your first application, second, etc. If it's your first time, choose the first option. Otherwise, select the second or third option, whatever applies to you. Continue with the application by providing your personal information.
4. Upload the Required Documents
After providing your personal information, upload the requirements you prepared. It should be a straightforward process. Just make sure you have all documents in digital format.
5. Submit Your Application
Finally, it's time to submit your application. Verify if all information is correct before you send in the application. Remember, the details you entered will be the basis of your visa approval. If some details are incorrect, your application could be denied.
6. Wait for the Application to be Processed
After you send in your Working Holiday Visa application, all you need to do is wait. The processing time could take up to 90 days. If you have not heard from Australian Immigration after 90 days, try to reach out to make a follow-up. Sometimes, they need you to send in additional documents, so check with them.
7. Receive your Visa
Once you receive a confirmation that your visa has already been processed, Australian Immigration will inform you of it so you can start with the medical exam. If you are from a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, you may also need to undergo a chest X-ray.
Jobs to Consider When Working in Australia
The Australia Working Holiday Visa will allow you to work in approved industries, including plant and animal cultivation, fishing, tree farming, felling, mining, construction, and more. You can choose to work part-time or full-time. You can even do voluntary work if you like. To give you an idea, here are some jobs to consider:
1. Au Pair
Many Australian families need someone to care for their kids. So, if you're interested in becoming an au pair, you will find plenty of opportunities in Australia. You can connect with au pair placement agencies to look for available jobs. As an au pair, you'll be responsible for taking care of the kids, dropping off, and picking them up from school, among other things.
2. Bartender
Australia has a thriving drink scene, so you'll find plenty of opportunities when working as a bartender. Aside from earning a decent wage, it's a fantastic opportunity to soak up the local scene and score free drinks and food. You can work for small pubs, wine bars, breweries, and rooftop bars in big cities like Melbourne and Sydney.
3. Call Center Operator
If you have a flair for customer service, working in a call center might be more suitable for you. As a call center agent, you will handle consumer inquiries over the phone, record consumer information, and direct calls to the appropriate team. As a call center agent, you must have skills in data handling, multitasking, and customer service.
4. Farm Hand
Australia has numerous farms cultivating everything, from apples to avocados and different kinds of vegetables. Many farms are short on harvesters and fruit pickers. Thus, one of the most promising jobs you can take while on a holiday visa in Australia is to work as a farmhand.
5. Housekeeper
Housekeeping is one of the most popular jobs for those with a working holiday visa, including backpackers, since it offers free accommodation. Usually, the job requires you to work in some of Australia's most stunning destinations, which is a plus. You can also work as a housekeeper for hotels, homestays, etc.
6. Laborer
General labor work is also common among visitors holding a working holiday visa since it offers higher wages and does not require prior job experience. As a laborer, your tasks include gardening, simple construction, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and more.
7. Professional Roles
Those with a university degree and relevant qualifications can take up professional roles under a working holiday visa. For these roles, you can work under short-term contracts, such as project contracts, and to cover maternity leaves. Depending on your degree, you can work in human resources, marketing, accounting, project management, IT, etc.
8. Receptionist
If you have experience working in the hospitality industry and want a job that offers a decent wage, consider working as a receptionist. Usually, salaries start above minimum wage. While it does not require prior experience, having good communication and customer service skills can help you excel in this job. Since you are only allowed to work for one employer for up to six months while on the visa, look for temp roles with short-term contracts.
9. Sales Assistant
Sales is an excellent career option for those in Australia under a working holiday visa. It's great if you want to gain real-world experience in customer service and sales. For this job, you can work at one of the shopping centers across the country. Stores usually need help all year round and may need to hire extra staff during a busy season, such as the Christmas holidays.
10. Waiter
It's common for many young travellers holding a working holiday visa to work as a waitress in Australia. Many restaurants are searching for waiters who can help keep their business running smoothly. What's great about working as a waiter is you don't need prior experience and can work on a flexible schedule.
FAQs on the Australian Working Holiday Visa
How Much Will It Cost to Apply for the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Applying for the Australian Working Holiday Visa will cost you 510 Australian Dollars. Take note that the rate could change at any time.
How Long Can I Stay in Australia while Holding the Working Holiday Visa?
The Australian Working Holiday Visa will allow you to stay in Australia for one year or 12 months from the day you enter the country. You can stay in the country for the entire 12-month period or leave and re-enter as many times as you want within that period since the visa allows multiple entries.
How Long is the Processing Time for the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Applying for the Working Holiday Visa is easy and should not take long since everything is online. After you submit the application it you have to wait:
- up to 34 days for the Australia Working Holiday Visa subclass 417
- up to 90 days for the Australia Working Holiday Visa subclass 462
Can I Extend My Australian Working Holiday Visa?
After 12 months, you can apply for an extension and stay for another year in Australia. But you can only apply for an extension after working for at least three months under the working holiday visa with specified work in approved industries including plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining and construction.
