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We have seen many changes in Working Holiday 417 visa program in 2019, however 2020 seems to bring much more challenge for Australia backpackers. We have observed 20 % increase in visa applications last financial year. Totaling over 220 thousands working holiday makers each year.The Government is pursuing new reciprocal working visa agreements with 13 countries, including Brazil, Croatia, Fiji, India, Mexico, Monaco, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Switzerland.
So now we have e 42 partner countries, 19 are the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa arrangements, and 23 are the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangements.
From January 2020, second-year visa holders will be eligible to apply for a third year in Australia if they complete an additional six months of specified work in regional areas.
Workers were also permitted to spend 12 months working with the same agricultural employer — up from the previous limit of six months.
Overseas workers have the same legal protections in Australia, regardless of their visa status or citizenship. Firms are required to pay legal wages and provide safe workplaces.
More about working holiday 147 visa
In February 2020
On 17 February 2020, the Government announced changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program to assist communities to recover from recent bushfires.
WHMs can now count paid or volunteer bushfire recovery work in a declared disaster area, carried out after 31 July 2019, as ‘specified work’ towards eligibility for a second or third WHM visa.
From 17 February 2020, Working Holiday Makers (subclass 417 and subclass 462 visa holders) assisting bushfire recovery efforts can now do paid or unpaid work for up to 12 months (instead of 6 months) with the same employer or organisation without requesting permission.
New increased cup for some of the eligible countries
The annual cap for the Work and Holiday visa has been increased to 2,000 for Thailand.
From 1 October 2019, the annual cap on Work and Holiday visas has been increased to 1,500 for Poland.
From 1 July 2019, the annual cap on Work and Holiday visas has been increased to 2,450 for Argentina, 500 for Portugal and 2,500 for Singapore.
New reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangements
From 1 July 2019, eligible young people from Ecuador and Greece can apply for a Work and Holiday visa to visit Australia. The annual visa caps of 100 for Ecuador and 500 for Greece also apply to Australian citizens who want to work and holiday in those countries.
Third Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa
Visa holders who carry out 6 months of specified work while on their second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, or on a bridging visa in certain circumstances, may be eligible to apply for a third visa. The 6 months of specified work must all be carried out on or after 1 July 2019, so a successful application cannot be lodged before January 2020.
Do you want to know little bit more about working holiday visa?
First time 417 visa was introduced in 1975 to foster closer ties and cultural exchange between Australia and partner countries. since than over 200 thousands young people from now 42 participating countries can experience adventure year Down Under.
The top five countries for first Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) grants were United Kingdom (30,036), Germany (22,025), France (20,439), South Korea (18,145) and Taiwan (14,659) while the top five countries for second Working Holiday visa grants were United Kingdom (7,716), Taiwan (6,698), South Korea (3,992), France (2,778) and Italy (2,221).
And its sister program work and holiday:
The top five countries for first visa grants under the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa were United States of America (7,368), China (5,000), Chile (2,002), Spain (1,505) and Argentina (1,407).
If you need advice on visa’s, you’re unsure about the conditions you have on your visa or you just need to have a plan – contact us now! Call us – (07) 4946 4680 or email us at [email protected] NOW!
1st working holiday visa
hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 (inclusive)
apply online from outside Australia
not be accompanied by dependent children
not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa. If you have previously been in Australia on a subclass 417 visa, see the second Working Holiday visa.
2nd working holiday visa
have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 visa. If you haven’t, see the first Working Holiday visa
hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 (inclusive)
have completed 3 months of specified work on your first Working Holiday visa
not be accompanied by dependent children
3ed working holiday visa
have previously held 2 subclass 417 visas in Australia. If you haven’t, see the first Working Holiday visa or second Working Holiday visa
hold a passport from an eligible country/jurisdiction
be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 years old (inclusive)
have undertaken, from 1 July 2019, 6 months of specified work while on your second Working Holiday visa, or a bridging visa in certain circumstances
not be accompanied by dependent children
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