Working Holiday Visa Australia

WWOOF Australia ‘ Working Holiday Visa’

For some people, work coinciding with travel is a good opportunity to both supplement funds and to go beyond the typical tourist experience. To do so in Australia, a Working Holiday Visa is required, and is ideal for backpackers and young travellers in general who seek a more ‘rigorous’ adventure in Australia.

All Australian Working Holiday visa applications must be made overseas, and in order to qualify applicants need to be:

• Aged between 18-30 years.
• Not accompanied by dependent children.
• You must have a valid passport with at least 12 months until renewal.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have not previously entered Australia on a WHM Visa.
• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself when you arrive in Australia.
• Hold a passport for a country or region participating with Australia in the Working Holiday program. These include: The United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, Korea, Belgium, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Hong Kong, Italy, France, Cyprus, Taiwan and Estonia.

(Note: For tertiary educated people where no Working Holiday Visa agreement exists, an alternative Work and Holiday Visa is a potential option. It permits people between the ages of 18 and 30 to take an extended holiday of up to 12 months in Australia.)

Holders of Working Holiday Visa are entitled to take on any kind of temporary or casual employment, and you can work for each employer for up to six months. The Visa is in effect for 12 months from the date you arrive in Australia.

In circumstances where a longer stay is required, the Australian Government grants Working Holiday Visa holders the opportunity to apply for a second Working Holiday Visa if they have worked as a seasonal or construction employee in regional Australia for three months.

Individuals may apply online at the Australian immigration website at www.immi.gov.au.htm or download a paper application form. The average processing time for online applications is 48 hours, at a cost of AUD$190.

So if you’re seeking to enhance your holiday experience, meet new people (not to mention make more spending money!), and experience Australia in unique ways, consider a Working Holiday Visa for an adventure with a difference.