The Working Holiday Visa is a travel visa specifically designed for travellers wanting to earn money while they travel around Australia . This visa allows you to travel and take on casual work for up to 12 months, and to work with the same employer for up to 6 months.With this visa you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want during the 12 months.
:: CAN I GET THIS VISA?
The visa is currently available to citizens of 22 countries so hopefully you're one of them! If you are travelling to Australia and suspect that you may run out of money during your trip it's probably worth getting one of these visas! However, be aware that subsequent Working Holiday Visas will only be granted under certain circumstances so make the most of this one! The current charge for a visa is $180-190 (Australian dollars)
Citizens from the following countries can obtain a Working Holiday Visa: Belgium , Canada , Cyprus (Republic of), Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , HKSAR*, Ireland (Republic of), Italy , Japan , Korea (Republic of), Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Sweden , Taiwan and the United Kingdom .*Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Residents from Chile , Thailand and Turkey are eligible for a similar Working and Holiday Visa. See the website for from information: www.immi.gov.au
To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa you must meet a number of requirements. In general, the following requirements apply:
Hold a passport for one of countries participating with Australia in the Working Holiday Visa scheme
Be outside of Australia when you apply for and receive your visa
Not have entered Australia on a Working Holiday Visa before*
Be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) at the time you apply
Prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself during the first stages of your holiday, as well as a return ticket or sufficient funds to buy one (approx £2000 )
Not have dependent children
Meet certain health requirements
Meet certain character requirements
In addition, there are other criteria that you must fulfill in regard to how long you stay with each employer and time limitations on study periods in Australia . For full information see the Australian Government's Immigration website at: www.immi.gov.au
• It is strongly recommended that you get adequate health insurance as treatment will be expensive for tourists not covered by a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and their country.
• Find out about opening a bank account in Australia .
• Check which documents you will need when applying for the visa.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE VISA?
Most applications have the option of applying online, by post or by courier. However, citizens of the Republic of Cyprus , HKSAR (including British National Overseas), Japan , the Republic of Korea , Malta , and Taiwan will have to mail or fax the application to the departmental office in the country that issued their passport.
• Send your application along with a certified photocopy of your passport, the correct visa application charge and any other attachments required (see website).
• Completed applications should be sent to your nearest overseas Australian Government Office. Details of these can be found on the website.
• You may need to attend an interview or provide more information. You will be advised in writing if you application has been accepted or refused.
