Complete Guide: How to apply to a Working Holiday Visa for Australia
Each year, the oceanic country attracts thousands of people from all over the world to work and study while they enjoy the beautiful coasts and natural wonders of its territory. Being one of the most biodiverse countries of the world, Australia offers a wide variety of landscapes, from deset to the great coral barrier, but isn't exempt from the most lethal animals. Anyways, Australia is the perfect country for adventure and nature lovers, for those not afraid to explore and live challenging experiences.
If you dream about living in Australia for a while, the Working Holiday Visa is an excellent alternative for you. This program counts with application processes open the whole year round and an agreement with 47 countries. Australia opens its arms to foreigners willing to work in those fields where they are needed the most.
Why does Australia attract so many young people to work?
Australia is not only a stable country in economic matters, but is also a country that bets on foreign workers. Besides, the country maintains a very low unemployment rate and offers good temporary jobs, which makes it an ideal option for young people in search of a year full of aventures in Oceania.
In addition to the stability and job offers, Australia is a country characterized for being multicultural thanks to its long history of immigration. Thanks to this, its population is used to receiving foreigners with open arms, even more so if they speak english.
On the other hand, the well known βLand down underβ offers a wonderful mild weather and beautiful beaches, besides being close to the southeast Asian region for those dreaming of getting to know it.
Another factor leading young people to Australia is the education quality offered in the country, that counts with many high-prestige institutions. Besides, it is an excellent destintation for those with the purpose of learning english.
Benefits of the Australian Working Holiday Visa
The Australian Working Holiday Visa offers a series of additional benefits to its bearers. Some of these are:
π It allows you to stay up to 12 months in the country (starting on your entering date)
π You can enter and exit the country freely once you've arrived in Australia and activated your Visa.
π You can work temporarily for up to 6 months with the same employer.
π You can study up to 4 months.
Requirements you need to meet in order to apply to the Working Holiday Visa
There are two different subclasses of working holiday visa, depending on your country of origin. Each one has its own specific requirements.
Working Holiday Visa, Subclass 417:
This variant corresponds to the WH Visa for the applicants of the following countries:
- Belgium
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
To apply to this Visa, you have to be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) when applying, and not have entered Australia on previos occasions in possession of a Working Holiday Visa in any of its subclasses. Also, you can't apply if you've ever had the entrance to Australia denied, or if you've had a visa application rejected.
In the case of Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland and Italy, you can apply to this visa until you're 35 years old.
In terms of linguistic requirements, you must have a functional English and do not need to prove your proficiency with tests. On the other hand, you must show proof of economic solvency to finance both your stay in Australia and your ticket our of the country. This generally equals around 5000 Australian Dollars for stay, in addition to an amount big enough to finance your way to your next destination.
Besides, you must meet the requirements regarding both health and character specified by the immigration office, and neither you or anyone in your family (including those not traveling with you) can have any doubts with the Australian Government. Also, you can not travel with dependent children, nor apply to the visa if you have any kids under the age of 18.
Last but no least, you must sign the declaration of Australian values, confirming you'll respect the Australian way of living and the country's laws.
Working Holiday Visa, Subclass 462:
This variant corresponds to the Working Holiday Visa for applicants from the following countries:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Chile
- People's Republic of China
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador *
- Greece *
- Hungary
- Indonesia *
- Israel
- Luxembourg*
- Malaysia *
- Mongolia *
- Peru *
- Poland *
- Portugal
- San Marino *
- Singapore
- Slovaquia
- Slovenia *
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand *
- Turkey *
- Uruguay
- United States
- Vietnam
The majority of requirements for this subclass are the same as the ones for the WH 417, in terms regarding financing, language, health, character and values. However, there is one specific requirement for the countries included in subclass 462. This is to have a letter of support from their local Government, and applies only to the countries marked with an asterisk.
Additional requirements for each country (both subclasses)
Wether you're applying to the Working Holiday Visa 462 or 417, there are some specific education requirements you'll need to meet. You can check the requirements for your country in the following table π
| Passport country | Education Requirements |
Argentina Austria China Czech Republic Ecuador Greece Hungary Indonesia Luxembourg Mongolia Peru Poland Portugal San Marino Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Spain Turkey Uruguay Vietnam | You need a tertiary qualification or at least two years of undergraduate university study. Acceptable tertiary qualifications are: - Degrees - Graduate certificates - Diplomas
Not acceptable: - Certificates I to IV level qualifications - Senior Secondary Certificate of Education |
| Brazil | Must have completed at least two years of post-secundary study. |
| Chile | Must have a tertiary qualification and have completed or been promoted to the third year of undergraduate university study. Acceptable tertiary qualifications are: - Degrees - Graduate certificates - Diplomas
Not acceptable: - Certificates I to IV level qualifications - Senior Secondary Certificate of Education |
| Israel | Must have a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and have completed or be legally exempt from mandatory military service. |
| Malaysia | You need a tertiary qualification or at least two years of undergraduate university study. Acceptable tertiary qualifications are: - Degrees - Graduate certificates - Diplomas
Not acceptable: - Certificates I to IV level qualifications - Senior Secondary Certificate of Education - Diplomas - Advanced diplomas |
| Thailand | Must have a tertiary qualification. Acceptable tertiary qualifications are: - Degrees - Graduate certificates - Diplomas |
| Switzerland | Must complete 2 years of study after compulsory schooling. |
| United States | Must have a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (High School diploma) |
How to apply to the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
For this kind of Visa, the application is 100% online and, therefore, can be made from anywhere in the world (except from Australia). This modality of application applies to both subclasses.
The first thing you need to do us verify the application period to the visa, depending on your country. It is usually open whole year round, but you should always make sure.
Regarding the process itself, the online website for Australian immigration services provides a checklist for each visa type. You can access this checklist by visiting the following links:
β Step by step checklist - Working Holiday Visa Subclass 462
β Step by step checklist -Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417
Health Insurance
The Australian Government recommends hiring international health insurance. Even though this isn't a requirement to obtain the visa, it is very important that you consider it amongst your priorities. This, due to the fact that, even though Australia possesses a great public health system, as a foreigner you won't have free access to it and will have to pay full price.
You can learn more about the Australian Health System in the next article:
π Health System in Australia: everything you need to know
On InternationalHealth.com we offer different international health insurance options for you to protect your health while in Australia, and not see yourself obligated to pay above your budget in case of an illness or accident.
Also, if you're planning on traveling and gettin to know other countries during your Working Holiday period, an international health insurance will give you coverage wherever you're headed to. Remember to always check your insurance's policy yo make sure you'll be covered in your country of destination.
Application deadlines
You can apply to this visa online the whole year round, from anywhere in the world, except from Australia.
Costs
Processing of this Visa, in any of its subclasses, has a cost of 510 AUD. This does not include any other procedures associated to the application, such as translating costs, medical checkups, apostilles, passport, etc.
It's the Australian Dollar (AUD).
The minimum pay in Australia, per hour, is 21,38 AUD, which is equivalent to around 14USD and hour.
You can apply to this Visa until you're 30 (inclusively), with certain exceptions depending on the country. As long as you apply before turning 31, you'll be eligible for the visa. If you turn 31 while your visa is being processed, you will still be eligible.
Yes, but you'll need to meet certain criteria to be eligible:
β WH 417:
- Must have completed 3 months of specified 417 work.
- Your visa must be valid or expired for no longer than 28 days.
β WH 426:
- Must have completed 3 months of specified 462 work.
- Your visa must be valid or expired for no longer than 28 days.
You can also apply for a third period in both subclasses, but must have completed 6 months of specified work depending on the subclass.
No. You can not travel with any dependent kids. You're also not eligible for the visa if you have any dependent kids under the age of 18.
Depends on the subclass:
β WH Visa, 462:
- 25% of applications are processed within 1 day.
- 50% of applications are processed within 14 days.
- 75% of applications are processed within 31 days.
- 90% of applications are processed within 83 days.
β WH Visa, 417:
- 25% of applications are processed within 1 day.
- 50% of applications are processed within 1 day.
- 75% of applications are processed within 2 days.
- 90% of applications are processed within 14 days.
Updated to
Wednesday September 25, 2024
so that you are up to date.