Australian Working Holiday Visa

First Working Holiday Visa

You must be outside Australia when you apply for your first Working Holiday visa and when the visa is decided.

Second Working Hliday Visa

If you apply in Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted. If you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Validity First Working Holiday Visa

With this visa, you can:

• enter Australia within 12 months from the date your visa is granted (this cannot be extended or deferred)
• stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date you first enter Australia
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

Second Working Holiday Visa

If you are already in Australia on a Working Holiday visa and have been granted a second Working Holiday visa, you can:

• stay in Australia for up to 24 months from the date you entered Australia on your first Working Holiday visa
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

If you are in Australia but do not hold a current Working Holiday visa, you can:

• stay in Australia for 12 months from the date your second Working Holiday visa is granted.
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

If you are outside Australia, you can:

• travel to Australia at any time in the 12 months from the date your second Working Holiday visa is granted (this cannot be extended or deferred)
• stay in Australia for 12 months from the date you first enter Australia on your second Working Holiday visa.
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

What this visa lets you do

This visa allows you to:

• stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• work in Australia for up to six months with each employer
• study for up to four months
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

Working in Australia

If you hold a Working Holiday visa, the main purpose of your visit must be for an extended holiday. You can do any kind of work over the course of your 12 month stay in Australia, however all Working Holiday visa holders are limited to a maximum period of six months work with any one employer. This limitation applies to all employers and all forms of work.

The 'employer' is the business or organisation for which you are working directly.

If you are referred by an agency or labour supplier to a business, you can work for six months for that business. The same agency or labour supplier can refer you to another business where you can work for another six months. You cannot stay in the same position with an employer for more than six months by using different employment agencies, business affiliates or sub-contracting arrangements.
The six month work limitation applies to full-time, part-time, casual, shift and voluntary work.

Volunteer work is subject to the six month employment limitation. You are able to undertake volunteer work activities for an organisation or employer for up to six months.

Workplace-based training is considered to be work. You are able to undertake workplace-based training with the same employer for up to six months.

Permission to work longer than six months with an employer is only granted in exceptional circumstances.

Requirements

You might be able to get this visa if you:

• have not previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462)
• hold a valid passport from a country involved in the Working Holiday Program with Australia
• have turned 18 years of age but have not yet turned 31
• are a genuine visitor who wants to have a holiday in Australia
• have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000)
• have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay
• will not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay.
• must meet certain health requirements
• must take out health insurance
• must be prepared to provide a police certificate
• must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted
• might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application

Second Working Holiday Visa

To apply for a second Working Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 417), you must:

• have complied with all the conditions on your first Working Holiday visa
• have not previously held more than one Working Holiday visa
• have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa.