Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Australia | The ultimate guide before and after applying for the visa
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The key elements of Australia are wildlife, dazzling beaches, and different natural and manufactured wonders. So, any visitor to Australia would use them to describe it to you. It’s not a wonder if you also wish to experience those wonders at first hand. A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Australia is the best choice for any adventurous youth who wishes that. This is also known as the backpack visa. It’s a visa that lets you travel in Australia while earning money to support that travels. This ultimate guide will explain what needs to be done before and after applying for the Working Holiday Visa.
What is a working holiday visa (WHV) Australia / backpacker visa?
A Working Holiday visa (WHV) Australia would be the best route to have an adventurous three years in Australia. A working Holiday Visa lets you work while you travel, unlike a visitor visa. With this visa, you can fund your won travels by yourself and keep exploring this wonderful nation. You can spend the extra bucks you earn to study while in Australia. So, a working holiday visa (WHV) Australia is a way of gathering experience, skill, and knowledge.
What are the subclasses/categories?
There are two subclasses under working holiday visas. Subclass 462 and Subclass 417. The Australian government has divided the countries they allow working holiday Visa among these two subclasses. So, you must select the subclass your country falls into before applying. Both these are the same except for a few changes in requirements and specified work. There are three categories under each of these visas and they are as followed.
First Working Holiday visa
This visa category lets people have their first working holiday in Australia.
Second Working Holiday visa
This is for you if you currently hold or have held, a WHV. However, completing 3 months of specified work related to your subclass is a must to get this visa.
Third Working Holiday visa
If you currently hold or have held, a second WHV. However, completing completed 6 months of specified work related to your subclass is a must to get this visa.
Please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information
Which countries can get the Australian working holiday visa?
Subclass 417
Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport) and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Subclass 462
Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, People’s Republic of Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, United States of America and Vietnam
Requirement need to fulfill before you apply WHV
The following are the common requirements for both Subclass 462 and Subclass 417.
Be this age
between 18 to 30 (18 to 35 if you are a Canadian, French, or an Irish citizen).
You will still get the visa if you were 30 when applying for the visa. But you should turn 31 before the Australian government made their decision. The same rule applies for Canadian, French, or an Irish citizen who turns 36 after applying.
Previous visas
For the first WHV, you must not have entered the country through a subclass 417 or subclass 462 before.
Similarly, for second visa, you should hold or have held the first WHV of the relevant subclass.
Likewise, for the third visa, you should hold or have held a second WHV of the relevant subclass.
Have enough money
You need to have enough money to continue your travels. Likewise, you need money to leave the country when the time of your visa ends too.
This is usually about AUD5,000 and you don’t need to provide evidence if you are applying in Australia. However, the government may contact you for further information while processing your application.
Health requirement
Australia has the best health standards in the world and tries its best to maintain these standards. So, you have to assess your health as a part of the visa application process. You can find more information about these health requirements through https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health
Character requirement
They assess your character for the visa. So, you must fulfill the character requirements asked by the Australian government to get this visa. You can get more information about this from https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character
Specified work
You will have to complete 3 months of specified work related to your visa subclass while on your first WHV. This time period increases to 6 months for the second working holiday visa.
The specified work for Subclass 417 is as followed;
- Plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
- Fishing and pearling in regional Australia
- Tree farming and felling in regional Australia
- Mining in regional Australia
- Construction in regional Australia
- Bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas after 31 July 2019.
- Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors anywhere in Australia after 31 January 2020
The specified work for Subclass 462 is as followed;
- Plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
- Fishing and pearling in northern Australia only
- Tree farming and felling in northern Australia only
- Tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only
- Construction in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
- Bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, after 31 July 2019
- Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors anywhere in Australia, after 31 January 2020
You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney or refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Payback your debt
Check whether you or any family members of yours owe money to the Australian government. If so, you or they should pay them fully or show that you will pay them fully with proof.
No refusals or cancelations
If you have had a visa canceled or refused while you were in Australia it could affect your eligibility.
Australian values statement
You must acknowledge and respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
The below requirements are only for the Subclass 462 WHV.
Education requirement
The Education requirement changes according to the country you are applying from. So, contact us at Immigration agent Sydney or refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Language requirement
You need to have functional English knowledge. Please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/functional-english to know more about this requirement.
A letter of support
You need to present a letter of support from your government if you are from:
Czech Republic (letter of introduction from your tertiary institution), Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia (Good Conduct Certificate), Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Vietnam.
Benefits of a working holiday (gap year) in Australia
A working holiday is a way of gathering experience, skill, and knowledge while traveling in Australia. Here are a few benefits that come with it.
It is a way to get away from all the personal burdens for a few years and relax. Australia is a hub of adventures. So, you can explore and discover new passions and let life lead you down a new path. Likewise, you can learn new skills and improve the ones you already have too. This is also an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life with all sorts of experience.
The cost of working holiday visa
Each visa application of both subclasses costs AUD 485 per one. However, you might also have to pay the government for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney or refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
The process of applying for a second WHV
You can apply for this visa while you are outside of Australia or in Australia. However, you must be outside Australia when the government decides on your application if you applied while outside Australia. You must be in Australia when the government decides on your application if you applied while in the country.
You should;
- hold or previously have held a Working Holiday visa of the subclass you hope to apply.
- have entered Australia on that visa if you are in the country.
- have complied with all the requirements given on your first WHV to apply for a second.
Also, you can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney for more information.
Working holiday visa Tax
You will have to pay taxes when you work on a working holiday visa. A tax will also be withheld from your payment. You may have to lodge a tax return relevant to the income you have earned during the year. The Australian income year starts on the 1st of July and ends on the 30th of June. The first $37,000 of a WHV holder’s income is taxed at 15%. However, the rest is taxed at ordinary rates.
You can learn more through https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/International-tax-for-individuals/Coming-to-Australia/Working-holiday-makers/
you can apply to get any superannuation paid by your employees as a departing Australia superannuation payment. The tax on any departing Australia superannuation payment after 1 July 2017 is 65%.
Popular jobs under WHV (backpacker jobs)
Nannies and home helpers
The demand for these jobs is high in the school holiday seasons. The payment will be less than the Australian minimum wage.
Farm work
Involves a huge amount of hard and physically challenging work but available throughout the year. You will get payed the Australian minimum wage.
Fruit picking
These jobs are mostly situated in remote locations so, you might be able to live on-site too. The availability depends on the seasons and the work could be challenging. But, you will get paid more or similar to the Australian minimum wage.
Healthcare
Can be found throughout the country and the payments are good. However, you will have to have the necessary qualifications for the jobs.
IT jobs
If you are with the necessary experience or expertise then you will be able to get these types of jobs. They are available anywhere in the country. But, you will get paid more or similar to the Australian minimum wage.
Restaurant jobs
These jobs can be found all around Australia and most active in the tourist season. The payment will be less than the Australian minimum wage but there will be tips.
Social benefits under WHV
With a WHV you can do short-term work in Australia to help pay for your holiday. You are also given the opportunity to study for up to 4 months. You will be able to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want with the given visa.
Also, compulsory superannuation (a retirement savings scheme) is paid into your superannuation fund by your employer. If you earn over a certain amount, you can collect it when you leave.
Popular web sites to get general information about backpacking
You can get all the information related to backpacking of WH visa through the https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
https://www.abs.gov.au/ will give you information about available eligible work.
- https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/5F75040625DF52F7CA257B9500133C44?opendocument
- https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4B85CFC8E4AB4A02CA257B9500133B79?opendocument
you can learn more about payments through https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest is also a good site to find information on vacancies related to plant and animal cultivation.
Pathways from WHV to Australian permanent residency
You can get the Australian permanent residency through subclasses;
- 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
- 189 – Skilled Independent visa
- 887 – Skilled Regional visa
A work holiday visa is the best key to open a pathway for those visas. Here are some tips related to education and work under WHV. So, you can use them to open a door to a permanent residence visa.
Always plan ahead and enroll in diploma courses that could lead to employment and sponsorship in Australia. So, begin the skill assessment procedure, if you already have a degree. Use and learn English and get a good IELTS level.
Find a job that relates to your qualification rather than money. Always keep in mind that experience values more than money. Keep your job search active all the time for better opportunities. Always have a time schedule and a well-prepared resume with your qualifications and your abilities.
Most importantly, arrange a meeting with an experienced migration agent the first time you visit Australia. They would guide you to the permanent residency much quickly and efficiently. So, this will save you both time and money.
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