Embarking on a working holiday in Australia is an exciting prospect combining exploration and employment. It’s a popular way for young people to experience new cultures, make friends from around the world, and earn money while travelling. 

 

This guide provides all the necessary information to ensure a smooth transition to life Down Under. I will walk you through the process step-by-step, from setting up a bank account, securing a tax file number, getting connected, finding accommodation, working, and understanding the working holiday visa. Let's dive right in.

 

Eligibility and Visa Types: The first step in applying for a working holiday visa to Australia is to check your eligibility. There are two types of working holiday visas available:

- Subclass 417

- Subclass 462

Might you be wondering? What are the differences between these two types of working holiday visas? Here's a brief explanation below:

Subclass 417

 

Aimed at young people aged between 18 and 30 years (and up to 35 for some countries), this visa lets you travel to Australia and work for up to 12 months, supplementing your travel funds while you explore the country's rich tapestry of experiences.

 

Designed to promote cultural exchange, the 417 Visa invites you to immerse yourself in Australia's vibrant lifestyle, learn about its traditions, and interact with its friendly locals. As you journey across this diverse landscape, you can work to fund your adventures. The visa allows multiple entries into and exits from Australia during its 12-month validity period and lets you study for up to four months.

 

Note: If you spend a month somewhere else outside of Australia, that time won’t be added to the length of time for which your visa is valid.

 

Who’s Eligible?

 

Available for citizens of Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hongkong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

 

Application Process

 

First, you need to create an ImmiAccount and confirm your email address. Once you’ve started your application, you can save it and return to it later to finish filling it in.

 

As of 2023, the fee for subclass 417 is AUD $510. Fifty percent of applications are processed in less than a day, while most applications are typically processed within 14 to 21 days. However, ensure you complete the online form accurately and attach all necessary documents to avoid delays. Once your visa is granted, you have 12 months to jet-set to Australia and start your adventure.

 

Note: Visa processing times may vary, and document requirements can change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Documents Required

 

Applying for the 417 Visa is a breeze with the online ImmiAccount portal. To simplify the process, gather the following documents before you start:

- A copy of your passport page showing your name, personal details, and the passport's issue and expiry dates.

- A copy of your birth certificate bearing both parents' names. In case a birth certificate is unavailable, you can use a family book showing both parents' names, government-issued identification, or a court-issued document confirming your identity.

- Any name change documents, such as marriage or divorce certificates, change of name documents from an overseas authority, or documents showing other names you have used.

- Character documents, including military records, may be required.  The visa authorities will reach out to you if these are needed.

- Ensure all your documents are in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

- Your documents should be clear, colour scans or photographs, and saved as single files, if multi-page.

 

Health Requirements

 

Applicants from countries with a high risk of tuberculosis may need a medical examination and chest X-ray.

You'll need to cover any health costs you incur during your visit, but fear not! Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries (Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK). These cover the cost of necessary care for illnesses or injuries incurred during your stay.

 

However, non-hospital care is not covered for New Zealand and Ireland visitors. Italian and Maltese citizens only get reciprocal coverage for six months. If you're from a country without a reciprocal agreement, ensure you have travel or health insurance to cover potential costs. While not compulsory, purchasing health insurance is strongly recommended for peace of mind. Australian medical treatment can be costly, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

Proof of Funds

 

To prove you can support yourself during your stay, provide bank account statements showing you have at least AUD $5000. Additionally, you'll need a return air ticket or extra funds to purchase one when you're ready to leave Australia.

 

Subclass 462

 

The subclass 462 visa is also a working holiday visa that allows young people aged between 18 and 30 years (and up to 35 for some countries) from eligible countries to travel to Australia and work for up to 12 months. These are for citizens that cannot apply for the subclass 417 visa.

 

Designed to promote cultural exchange and personal growth, the 462 Visa invites you to immerse yourself in Australia's vibrant lifestyle, learn about its culture, and meet friendly locals. As you travel around Australia's diverse landscape, you can work to fund your adventures. The visa allows multiple entries into and exits from Australia during the 12-month validity period and lets you study for up to four months.

 

Note: If you spend a month somewhere else outside of Australia, that time won’t be added to the length of time for which your visa is valid.

 

Who’s Eligible?

 

Available for citizens of Argentina, Austria, Chile, The People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

 

Application Process

 

First, you need to create an ImmiAccount and confirm your email address. Once you’ve started your application, you can save it and go back to it later to finish filling it in.

 

As of 2023, the fee for subclass 462 is AUD $510. Fifty percent of applications are processed in 13 days, while most are processed within 79 days, but it can take longer in some cases, especially if you don’t fill out the form correctly or forget to attach the right documents. Once your visa is granted, you have 12 months to jet-set to Australia and start your adventure.

 

Note: Visa processing times may vary, and document requirements can change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

 

Documents Required

 

Applying for the 462 Visa is a breeze with the online ImmiAccount portal. To simplify the process, gather the following documents before you start:

- A copy of your passport pages showing your name, personal details, and the passport's issue and expiry dates.

- A copy of your birth certificate bearing both parents' names. In case a birth certificate is unavailable, you can use a family book showing both parents' names, government-issued identification, or a court-issued document confirming your identity.

- Any name change documents, such as marriage or divorce certificates, change of name documents from an overseas authority, or documents showing other names you have used.

- Evidence of funds (usually AUD $5,000)

- Ensure all your documents are in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

- Your documents should be clear, colour scans or photographs, and saved as single files, if multi-page.

 

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also be required to provide:

- Character documents, including military records, may be required. The visa authorities will reach out to you if these are needed.

- Proof of English language proficiency

Healthcare Requirements

 

If you’re applying for a WHV from a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, you may need to undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray.

 

You'll need to cover any health costs you incur during your visit. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries (Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK). These cover the cost of necessary or urgent care for illnesses or injuries incurred during your stay.

However, note that non-hospital care is not covered for New Zealand and Ireland visitors. Italian and Maltese citizens only get reciprocal coverage for six months. Otherwise, if you're from a country without a reciprocal agreement, ensure you have travel or health insurance to cover potential costs.

 

Note: Condition 8501 requires that visa holders must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of their stay in Australia for Subclass 462.

 

Proof of Funds

 

To prove you can support yourself during your stay, provide bank account statements showing you have at least AUD $5000. Additionally, you'll need a return air ticket or extra funds to purchase one when you're ready to leave Australia.

 

Now, you’ve got your working holiday visa application approved! Congratulations! Here’s what you need to do:

 

Australian Bank Account: Before you board your flight, setting up an Australian bank account is advisable. You can conveniently do this online. Upon arrival, present your passport at your chosen bank to verify your identity. You should have your bank card ready for collection in less than a week. Don't worry about a permanent address; you can collect your card from the bank directly or have it sent to a post office. Notable banks to consider include HSBC, Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ.

 

Tax File Number: Simultaneously, apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) – a 9-digit identifier you'll need for legal employment in Australia. This straightforward process can be done online at the Australian Tax Office website. All you need is an Australian address (which could be your hostel), your passport number, an Australian phone number, and a valid email address. It's free, and your TFN will be mailed within 28 days to your provided address.

 

Local Sim Card: Moving on to communication, securing a phone number is a must. You have two choices: either buy a local phone and set it up in Australia or get a new pay-as-you-go sim card for your current phone. Get an Aldi sim card because it's cheap, reliable, and has better coverage than most service providers.

 

Accommodation: Once that's sorted, finding accommodation is your next step. Hostels offer an affordable and backpacker-friendly environment. Websites like Hostel World can aid in your search. Alternatively, consider the new social networking platform, Abroadly. It's a digital tool offering free accommodations, travel companions, social meetups, job opportunities, and discounted tours.

Saving Money: Volunteering is another option to consider, especially if you want to get involved with the local community and save money. Volunteering jobs usually offer work in exchange for accommodation and meals. It's important to budget well when travelling in Australia, as the country is known for being pricey. It's a good idea to get a budget plan together for each paycheck and book all tours in advance to avoid tourist traps and last-minute panic buying. You should also keep track of your day-to-day spending with a budget diary and get a travel money card to transfer over a daily budget.

Average Costs: Hostel costs can vary from $25 to $80 per night, while the average meal cost when going out is $10 to $25, a beer will cost about $9, cocktails between $18 to $35, and campsites range from $15 to $30 per night.

 

Jobs: Now, let's talk about job hunting. Preparation is key. First, ensure your CV or Resume is polished and ready. Online job boards like Seek and Gumtree are your friends but don't underestimate the power of face-to-face interaction. Handing out CVs in person and checking hostel job boards can bear fruit. You could even ask if the hostel needs help in return for free accommodation. Platforms like Abroadly, WayTree, WikiFarms, Swaggie, and Harvest Trail Services are excellent resources. Also, consider joining job-focused Facebook groups. However, caution is required to avoid falling victim to scams. Most Facebook groups nowadays are full of scammers. BEWARE!

 

Working Conditions: If you work in Australia on a working holiday visa, you will be entitled to the same working rights and conditions as Australian citizens, including minimum wage rates and workplace health and safety standards.

 

Tax: If you work in Australia while on a working holiday visa, you will be subject to Australian taxation laws. You may be able to claim some of these taxes back when you leave the country or file a tax return at the end of each financial year, which is between August to October 31.

 

Visa Extensions: If you have completed at least three months of specified work in a regional area of Australia while on subclass 417 or 462 visa, you may be eligible to apply for a second working holiday visa. Furthermore, you can apply for a third working holiday visa if you do six months of specified work during your second year of stay.

 

Note: Great news for UK passport holders planning an Australian working holiday! Starting 1 July 2024, you can receive up to three separate Working Holiday visas without the need for specific work requirements, like farm work. This is a change from the previous rules, which required 88 days and then six more months of specified work for second and third-year visas.