| If you’re planning on being on of the 30,000 Brits | | | | full year (or 2 if you opt to undertake “seasonal |
| heading Down Under this summer on a gap year or | | | | work”), so there’s no danger of losing any time |
| working holiday, then the Australian Visa Bureau has | | | | in Australia if you do apply slightly early. |
| some important advice about when you should apply | | | | About the Australian Working Holiday Visa |
| for your visa. | | | | To be eligible for the Australian Working Holiday |
| The Australian working holiday visa programme allows | | | | Program, candidates must be between 18 and 30 |
| young people between the age of 18-30 to travel and | | | | (inclusive), have no children and be citizens of country |
| work throughout Australia for up to a year, or if they | | | | where a reciprocal working holiday arrangement exists |
| undertake seasonal work for three months, up to two | | | | (these include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany |
| years. | | | | and Canada). |
| Most UK and Irish citizens have little difficulty in applying | | | | In addition, applicants must prove they have |
| for their visa, but where there are potential health | | | | ‘sufficient funds’, roughly £2,200 to support |
| issues or criminal convictions, the process can be | | | | themselves for the initial period of their holiday plus a |
| delayed and to avoid disappointment it is best to apply | | | | return or onwards air ticket (or the funds to purchase |
| at least two months in advance of your planned | | | | another ticket) and be of good health and character. |
| departure date. | | | | Criminal convictions are taken into account and may |
| “One of the problems we find is that people are | | | | delay or extend the visa processing period. |
| applying either too early for their working holiday visa, | | | | Applications for Working Holiday Visas must be made |
| or in most cases, too late,” said Amanda Gripske, a | | | | outside Australia. In other words, applicants cannot be |
| working holiday consultant for the Australian Visa | | | | on holidays in Australia already and apply from within |
| Bureau. | | | | the country. The visa is granted upon entry to Australia |
| “Usually it takes just a few days to process a | | | | and is valid for 12 months from the entry date. |
| working holiday visa if all is well, but in certain | | | | A Working Holiday Visa allows for multiple entries to |
| circumstances, for example where people may have | | | | Australia, meaning travelers can visit other countries in |
| indicated they have a pre-existing medical complaint, | | | | the region while on their working holiday visa. However, |
| have spent three months outside of the UK in a TB | | | | any time spent outside Australia cannot be reclaimed. |
| high risk country, or perhaps have had a previous | | | | As the criteria for the visa are straightforward, other |
| criminal conviction, then extra checks may be required | | | | considerations for backpackers and career breakers |
| by the Australian Department of Immigration and that | | | | alike include processing time and the conditions |
| can take time. | | | | imposed once the visa itself is granted. |
| “We have seen people apply just a week before | | | | A straightforward visa application can take anywhere |
| they were booked on a flight out, receive a request to | | | | from 2 days to 6 weeks to process. Generally, |
| undertake a chest x-ray (as is commonly required by | | | | processing is under two weeks, but if applicants have |
| anyone seeking to work in a medical or hospital | | | | medical or criminal considerations this period may be |
| environment) and not manage to get the results back | | | | extended. |
| in time to get their visa granted before their flight | | | | Once the visa is granted, the conditions imposed on |
| left.” | | | | the holder include the previously mentioned 6 month |
| Without an appropriate work visa visitors are not | | | | working limit for any one employer. Study is allowed |
| allowed to undertake any paid work in Australia. The | | | | for up to four months. |
| government has also taken steps to clamp down on | | | | An Australian Working Holiday Visa is activated upon |
| “working under the table” by making it a criminal | | | | entry to Australia for a period of 12 months from the |
| offence for an employer to give work to anyone | | | | date of entry. In November 2005, it became possible to |
| without a valid work visa. This makes it even more | | | | apply for a second Working Holiday Visa. This 12 |
| important to ensure you have a valid visa and apply in | | | | month ‘extension’ or second visa is available to |
| good time. | | | | applicants who worked as seasonal employees in a |
| “We would advise people to apply at least six to | | | | regional area. For a full definition of what constitutes |
| two months before they are planning to travel to | | | | seasonal work in regional Australia, please see the |
| Australia, especially if they know they could be | | | | Visa Bureau website; |
| required to undergo an x-ray or provide background | | | | Applications for a second Working Holiday Visa must |
| information," added Gripske. | | | | be submitted with proof of the work completed and in |
| You do have up to a year from the date your visa is | | | | what area. |
| granted to enter Australia and then you can stay for a | | | | |