Living the Dream: A Guide to your Australian Working Holiday
by Joanna Hill : October 10th, 2016
Australian Working Holiday Guide
An Australian Working Holiday is an epic, life altering adventure.
Relaxed Australian culture, great weather and amazing natural wonders provide a blockbuster backdrop for pictures and memories that will last a lifetime.
Start your adventure in one of Australia’s major capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Then travel as far and wide as time and your money will let you.
Most backpackers have the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Ocean Road high on their list of things to do. If you are looking for advice from well travelled Aussies, check out these other epic Australian travel adventures that we think you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Whether you’re 18 and heading to Australia for a post school gap year, or if you’re close to turning 31 and you want to apply before you miss the chance, read on for tips, advice and ideas to supercharge your dream Aussie Working Holiday.
Applying for your Australian Working Holiday Visa
Australia has two backpacker visas which give young people from a variety of countries the chance to work and travel in Australia for 12 months. (Or up to 3 years if you meet the eligibility criteria to apply for additional 417 or 462 visas).
With these visas you can:
- Enjoy a holiday
- Study for up to 4 months
- Work for up to 6 months with one employer (additional requirements apply for some occupations)
- Enter and leave Australia as many times as you want during your 12 month stay period
- Undertake specified work to apply for another 417 or 462 visa.
You may be eligible for one of these visas if you are between the ages of 18 and 31 (or 35 for passport holders from some countries). You also need to hold a passport from an eligible country.
The 417 Working Holiday Visa is for applicants from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan or the United Kingdom.
The 462 Work and Holiday Visa is for applicants from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, PNG, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkiye, USA, Uruguay and Vietnam.
This list of countries changes occasionally, so make sure you check the Home Affairs website for up to date information.
Australian Working Holiday Visa Eligibility Requirements
You may be eligible for an Australian Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa if you meet the following requirements:
- 417 and 462 visa applicants need to have enough money to support themselves on their holiday, and enough money to buy a return ticket home.
- 462 visa applicants need to show evidence that they have functional English skills. They also need to meet additional education requirements which are specific for each country, and to hold a letter of support from their home government.
- All applicants for Australian Visas need to meet health and character requirements.
- You can’t bring family members to Australia with you on these visas. If you want to travel with your partner, they will need to be eligible for, and apply for, their own visa.
You can apply online for these visas at the Department of Home Affairs Website through IMMI.
Finding Work
Australia is a great country to work in. Unemployment is low and minimum wages and working conditions are legislated by the government. Working in Australia also lets you enjoy the relaxed Australian culture and national obsession with sporting events.
Search online and you will find loads of websites listing jobs available for backpackers. Gumtree is one of the most popular and reputable backpacker job sites. Seek, Indeed and Career One are popular career job websites if you are looking for work that matches your skills and experience. Airtasker also matches people who need help to complete tasks like deliveries, cleaning, handyman work or IT support. Click here for detailed information about Finding Work in Australia.
The following jobs are popular with backpackers in Australia:
Au Pairs
Many Australian families love employing Au Pairs to help with childcare.
Au Pairs are able to work for a family for longer than 6 months when providing care for children under 12 years of age.
Farm Work & Regional Work
Backpackers make up 25% of Australia’s national farm workforce, and 85% of agricultural labour in the Northern Territory.
Farm work including seasonal fruit picking is popular as this work helps 417 and 462 visa holders meet eligibility requirements to apply for a second visa.
Hospitality
If you have hospitality experience from your home country, you will be in good standing to apply for the many hospitality jobs advertised in Australia.
Use your Skills and Experience to look for work
Many backpackers use their qualifications, skills and experience to apply for jobs and look for work in their field of expertise.
Recruitment, Advertising, Construction and Hospitality are industries where qualified backpackers often apply for work.
If you are a qualified worker in an industry like health care or education, find out about Australian registration requirements before you arrive if you want to work in your field while you are in Australia.
417 and 462 visas allow the holder to work for an employer for up to six months. There are some situations where the six months can be extended. This includes for au pairs and for people doing designated work in Northern Australia or work with agricultural employers. The six months also starts again once you are holding a second working holiday visa, or once you are holding a Bridging Visa if you apply for a further visa while you are still in Australia.
Remember, as a visa holder it is your responsibility to know and understand your visa conditions. This includes the condition which limits the amount of time you can work for one employer.
Second and Third Working Holiday
Some Working Holiday Visa holders can apply fo a second or third Working Holiday Visa if they complete designated farming and regional work while holding their Working Holiday Visa. You will need to show evidence that you have completed this work when you apply.
Don’t want to head home yet?
If you don’t want your time in Australia to end when your 417 or 462 Australian Working Holiday visa expires, you are not alone!
At MyAusPath we have helped countless backpackers make the transition to long term life in Australia, including backpackers who have made a long term plan to achieve permanent residency. Read about our success stories here.
If you want to stay forever, or just for a while longer, we can help with work visas, family visas or student visas to help you achieve your goal.
About MyAusPath
MyAusPath is a full service Australian Migration Agency based in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. We help individuals, business owners and HR managers to consistently achieve successful visa outcomes. We are registered with MARA so you know you can rely on our advice (MARN 1575613).
At MyAusPath we are here to give you friendly, efficient service. We make the complex and constantly changing Australian visa application requirements simple and stress free for clients.
Connect with us!
“Thanks Joanna. You are the best!!!
We really appreciate all of your hard work!“
— Employer, Australia
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