Working Holiday Visa Following the Australia-United Kingdon Free Trade Agreement. New arrangements under the Working Holiday Maker Program have been put in place for UK Passport Holders.
Commencement dates of new arrangements:
- From 1 July 2023, UK passport holders can apply for a Working Holiday. Visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive
- From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas. Without having to meet any specified work requirements.
The new arrangements will apply to Working Holiday visa applications for UK passport holders lodged from the date of implementation. (subclass 417).
Increased eligible age range for UK applicants
The current eligible age for UK applicants for Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas is currently 18 to 30 years inclusive.
From 1 July 2023, the limit will increase to 18 – 35 years. From this date, UK passport holders can lodge an application for any Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. Until midnight (AEST) on the day prior to their 36th birthday.
Removal of ‘specified work’ requirements ie Farm Work/88 days.
To be eligible for a second or third Working Holiday visa: applicants currently must show that they have done at least three or six months of ‘specified work’. (this can be known as “farm work” or “88 days work”)
From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders will not have to meet this requirement when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa on or after this date.
Ability to stay a maximum of three years
Working visa holders can currently stay three years in Australia. This stay consists of three separate visas granted for 12 months each. This excludes any ‘COVID-19 affected visa’ granted at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. These arrangements will not change.
From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders, including those already granted a subclass 417 visa, who are eligible to apply for a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, will not have to meet any specified work requirements when applying for a second and third visa.
UK Passport Holders
UK passport holders can choose to apply for a first, second and third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa at any time while they still meet the eligible age requirement. They do not need to stay in Australia for three years in a row. Applicants can lodge applications for second and third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas in or outside Australia.
If a UK passport holder has already spent one or two years in Australia on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa before the new arrangements commence, they can apply for the remaining visa(s) under the new arrangements from 1 July 2024. This will enable access to the maximum of three years in Australia.
Example 1:
Marnie from London, came to Australia on her first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa in 2015. She was 25 years old. Marnie returned to the UK in 2016. Marnie is now 32 years old. She cannot apply for another Working Holiday visa as the age limit for applicants is 30 years.
With the new arrangements commence, Marnie will be able to apply for second and third Working Holiday visas. She can apply from in or outside Australia, up to the age of 35 years. She will not need to meet any specified work requirements.
Example 2:
Stu from Brighton, was in Australia on 20 March 2020 when COVID-19 travel restrictions started. He was on his first Working Holiday visa (a ‘COVID-19 affected visa’). He returned to the UK without completing any specified work. His visa ceased before 31 December 2021.
He is eligible to apply outside Australia for a new WHV with no Visa Application Charge (offshore nil VAC visa). This will replace his ‘COVID-19 affected visa’.
He can carry out three months of specified work on her offshore nil VAC visa. He would be eligible for a second visa. The ‘COVID-19 affected visa’ would not count towards the maximum of three visas.
When the new arrangements commence
When the new arrangements commence, he will be able to apply for a second and third visa. (in addition to the offshore nil VAC visa). He will not need to meet any specified work requirements.
Example 3:
Justice from Liverpool, was in Australia on 20 March 2020, on his second Working Holiday visa (a ‘COVID-19 affected visa’) when COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed. Because of the pandemic, he could not complete the six months of specified work required to apply for a third visa. He transitioned to a COVID-19 Pandemic event (subclass 408) visa to remain in Australia.
From 5 March 2022, he is eligible to apply in Australia for a new Working Holiday visa with no Visa Application Charge (an ‘onshore nil VAC visa’).
This replaces his ‘COVID-19 affected visa’. He can carry out six months of specified work on his onshore nil VAC visa to become eligible for a third visa. The ‘COVID-19 affected visa’ will no longer count towards the maximum of three visas.
Alternatively, with the new arrangements commence, he will be able to apply for a third visa (in addition to the onshore nil VAC visa). He will not have to meet any specified work requirements.
Example 4:
Emma from Leeds, held a first Working Holiday visa in Australia in 2017. She returned to the UK before the COVID-19 pandemic. If she wishes to apply for another Working Holiday visa before the new arrangements start, she will have to meet the specified work requirements.
When new arrangements commence, she will be eligible to apply for second and third Working Holiday visas, up to the age of 35. She will not need to meet any specified work requirements. She can apply from in or outside Australia.
Hope this has been helpful to you all. If you need anymore info please goto:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news/arrangements-uk-passport-holders
There has never been a better time to grab some mates or just your backpack and head to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. With the new arrangements starting and a staff shortage and good rate of pay in Australia – now is the time to head over for a year or 3 and “live the dream” working and traveling in Australia. Questions regarding getting setup for moving to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa.
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