Australia's Working Holiday Maker Programme

The Australian Working Holiday Maker Visa Programme has a number of conditions attached which should be taken into account before applying for an Australian working holiday visa. The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Programme aims to promote international understanding. It provides opportunities for resourceful, self-reliant and adaptable young people to holiday in Australia and to supplement their funds through incidental employment. VISA FIRST specialise in administering Australian working holiday visa applications for all eligible individuals in Ireland and the UK.

You can apply for an Australian working holiday visa if:

You are aged between 18 to 30 inclusive at the date of your visa application, you have no children, you have not received an Australian working holiday visa before, you hold a passport from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR (the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom. If you have previously applied, or attempted to apply, for an Australian WHM Visa, you must inform VISA FIRST when submitting your application.

What conditions apply to my Australian working holiday visa:

Visa holders can have a visa label placed in their passport after arriving in Australia to show employers their right to work. Visa holders will not be charged for the visa label and can get their label at the Sydney Airport between 6 am and 11 pm (7 days a week). Alternatively visa labels can also be printed at the nearest office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) after arrival in Australia. See a list of addresses of DIAC Offices.

You cannot work for longer than 6 months in the same position, in the same location, doing the same work. The purpose of the WHM visa is to holiday, supplemented by incidental employment.

You cannot engage, for more than 4 months, in any studies or training while in Australia.

You are expected to bring sufficient funds to support yourself during your initial stay in Australia.

You must ensure that your passport will be valid for the entire period of your stay in Australia.

Do I need a bank statement stating I have $5,000 Australian dollars to apply for the visa?

No. Since Visa First will lodge your visa application electronically there is no requirement to submit any additional documents to have your visa granted. However, applicants for an electronic working holiday visa are required to declare in their application sufficient funds for a return onward fare to their intended overseas destination on leaving Australia. Applicants are also required to declare sufficient funds for personal support for the purposes of a working holiday. This would normally be around AU$5000 (approx. €3,000 / £2,100 / CA$4,200) in addition to funds for return airfare. Please note that there is no need to purchase it in advance. info@traveltowork.com.au.

Will I need a medical examination?

Health requirements for Working Holiday Visa applicants are assessed at the time of lodging an application and will vary depending on the country of passport and travel/residence history. Applicants may be required to undergo a chest x-ray and/or a medical examination as part of their visa application under certain circumstances, as well as to declare their health status on the visa application form. The most frequent situations where a chest x-ray and/or medical examinations may be required are cases where:

• You have spent more than 3 consecutive months in the last 5 years in a country considered to be of a very high health risk in terms of tuberculosis;
• You have been in close contact with a person who has, or has had, active tuberculosis;
• You have had a Chest X-ray which showed an abnormality;
• You are likely to enter an Australian hospital or other health care facility for any purpose;
• You are likely to work in or attend an Australian preschool-aged child care centre (including preschools and creches);
• You are likely to require assistance with mobility and/or incur medical costs or require treatment or medical follow up for a particular disease while in Australia.

NB: If you fall into any of the above cases your visa application will take approximately 8-12 weeks to process from the date that your results are forwarded for assessment. Please do not undergo any health examinations in advance! Health examinations must be taken by doctors and radiologists approved by the Australian Immigration Authorities and details on those will be sent to you if necessary at a later stage.