Australia Tourist Attractions

Australia Visas

Getting an Australian working holiday visa is much easier than some may think. As long as you meet the basic criteria you could be on your way to Australia next month. The best visa to get if you’re only planning on traveling around Oz for a year is a working holiday maker visa. This enables you to fund your trip while you travel by working along the way. You have to be between the ages of 18 and 30, have no dependent children and may only stay in Australia for up to a year. If you leave Australia during the year to go to say New Zealand for a couple of months, you can’t add those two months on to the visa. The government starts counting the year as soon as you step on Australian soil. There is one major restriction to the visa – you may only work in one job for a maximum of three months, then you must find another job. Of course this only applies to legitimate jobs… you could always work under the table at the same job for your entire visit. This isn’t recommended though as people with jobs off the books are often not paid full wages and if you are discovered to have worked in one job for over the three month limit you could be deported.

It is very easy to apply for the visa, the easiest way being on-line. Simply visit www.immi.gov.au and follow the links. You will have to send the necessary documents and fees once you apply on-line but you should receive a response within a month, sometimes sooner. To make the application process go smoothly you must prove that you have sufficient funds in your bank account to support yourself in Australia (ex. $5000) and if you don’t have a return ticket booked you must prove you can afford to buy one. Also make certain your passport will not expire during your trip, it must be valid for the full year of your holiday. You may have to submit a medical report if you live in or have traveled to a country where there is a high risk of contracting tuberculosis or if you plan on working in a care centre or with young children in Australia.

***New Rule***
There has just recently been an amendment to the working holiday maker visa. If you work a minimum of three months in a seasonal or regional job (on a farm, vineyard, orchard, etc) you may apply for a second working holiday visa. If you are planning your first visit to Australia make sure to schedule in some regional work so that you have the option of another year in Australia. Several jobs can be found picking fruit, sheering sheep, and trimming trees throughout Australia.

Checklist:

• make sure your passport is valid for your whole trip
• obtain a letter from your bank stating that you have sufficient funds
• figure out whether you need to submit a medical report
• fill out the online form
• send in your passport, fees, and bank letter