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Sydney

visa@immi-law.com.au

Visa Assessment

Working Holiday visa (417)

The Working Holiday visa allows certain tourists aged between 18 and 30 (Canadian, French and Irish passport holders, 18 and 35) years old  to have an extended holiday in Australia, while supplementing their funds with short-term work. The visa is valid for 12 months, it allows for multiple entries into and departures from Australia. Visa holders can work up to 6 months with each employer, and can study for a maximum of 4 months.

A second Working Holiday visa may be granted to those applicants who completed 3 months of specified work in regional Australia while holding their first Working Holiday visa.

A third Working Holiday visa my be granted to those who applicants who have completed 6 months of specified work in regional Australia while holding their second Working Holiday visa.

Minimum Requirements

As the visa applicant, you must:

  • be aged between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application (exception: Ireland, Canadian and French passport holder – 35 years old).
  • May have, but must not be accompanied by dependent children
  • meet the relevant health and character requirements, provide evidence of health and/or travel insurance if necessary
  • have access to sufficient funds to support yourself during the initial stages of your holiday in Australia (approximately AUD 5000) in addition to money for a return airfare.
  • be outside Australia at the time your application is lodged and at the time that your visa is granted (if applying for the first time)
  • hold a valid passport for one of the countries listed below:

Passport holders of the following countries are eligible to apply:

  • 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

You must enter Australia within 12 months of the date that your visa is granted.

You are entitled to work for any employer in any location in Australia, as long as you work for no more than 6 months with one employer.

Requests for permission to work longer than 6 months with one employer are approved in limited circumstances:

  • You are an au pair; or
  • You have applied for another work visa in Australia; or
  • You have exceptional circumstances;

You must not study for more than 4 months in Australia.

Second Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417)

You must not have yet turned 31 years (Canadian, French and Irish, 36) of age and have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa. ‘Specified work’ includes certain types of work carried out in the plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining and construction industries. If you have worked in Northern Australia it also includes work carried out in tourism and hospitality.

Third Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417)

From 1 July 2019, Working Holiday visa holders who carry out 6 months of specified work in regional areas while on their second Working Holiday visa may be eligible to apply for a third visa. Applications cannot be lodged until January 2020.

Extending your Working Holiday visa

There are two possible extensions available for Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa for those who complete set periods of ‘specified work’ in regional Australia.

Working holiday makers on their first visa are required to complete at least 3 months (88 days) of specified regional work in order to obtain a second visa. For those looking to apply for a third visa, a further 6 months must be completed while holding a second Subclass 417 Working visa.

Type of Work

The work you have done in the regional area must be “specified work”. This includes the following activities:

  • Plant and animal cultivation
  • Fishing and pearling
  • Tree farming and felling
  • Mining
  • Construction

Work must have been undertaken on a full-time equivalent basis. Part-time or casual work is acceptable, but the sum total of the work performed needs to be equal to 3 months full-time work.

Work must be remunerated in accordance with Australian workplace law.