Work, volunteer and study in Australia FAQ

Wanting to work while in Australia?

If intending to work while on holiday in Australia, the correct visa must be applied for before they arrive. The Australian Government has strict laws regarding employment of non-citizens and penalties for breaking the law. This applies to all types of full-time, part-time, casual, shift and voluntary work. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information on the types of visas that legally allow visitors to obtain employment while in Australia.

What is a Working Holiday Maker visa?

Australia offers a Working Holiday Maker program that allows young adults from participating countries to have an extended holiday in Australia and earn money through short-term employment. There are two types of Working Holiday Maker visas: Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462). The visa to apply for depends on the country of residence. These types of visas provide an opportunity to stay and work in Australia for up to 12 months. 

Is there an age limit on a Working Holiday Maker visa?

Yes. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years at the time of applying for the Working Holiday visa. Canadian and Irish citizens can now apply up to the age of 35. 

Which nationalities can apply for a Working Holiday Maker visa?

Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

For visitors holding passports from Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, the USA and Vietnam.

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)

For visitors holding passports from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK.

How much does a Working Holiday Maker visa cost? 

There is currently a non-refundable charge of AUD $450 per visa, depending on the date of application. 

How long is a Working Holiday Maker visa valid?

Once granted a Working Holiday Maker visa, they will have 12 months to arrive in Australia. And are allowed to stay for a maximum of 12 months from the date of first entry into the country. With the completion of specified work, they may be eligible to extend their stay in Australia with a second (or even a third) Working Holiday Maker visa. See below for more information on the requirements for second and third-year visas.

Is it possible to leave Australia after entering on a Working Holiday Maker visa?

Yes, it's possible to leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.

How long can they work on a Working Holiday Maker visa?

They can undertake temporary employment in Australia for up to six months with any one employer on a Working Holiday visa. Plus also study for up to four months. 

Can they stay longer?

A Working Holiday visa only lasts 12 months, but if certain criteria is met (including doing three months of eligible work, such as farm work, in parts of rural or northern Australia), they have the option to apply for another 12-month visa, which means they can stay in Australia for a total of two years. Recent changes, however, have just made an Australian working holiday even better: from 1 July 2019, they will be able to extend their stay for a third year. Read more about how they can stay in Australia for three years on a Working Holiday visa.

What counts as ‘specified’ work in Australia?

There are many different industries that are approved for specified work, including plant and animal cultivation (seasonal farm work), fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining and construction. This work must be completed in regional Australia and excludes Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.

What should they do if they have overstayed their Working Holiday visa?

There are heavy penalties if a Working Holiday visa expires and the receipent has not left Australia or applied for another visa. They may also not be allowed to return to Australia for a period of time. Get more information on the options available if their visa is expiring or has expired.

Are there any other options to stay longer, such as being sponsored?

There may be options should they wish to stay temporarily or permanently in Australia at the end of their working holiday. Explore the visa options for working in Australia.  

How do they apply for a Working Holiday Maker visa?

The visa your customer should apply for depends on their country of residence.

If a resident of the United Kingdom, they should apply for Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417). Get detailed information on the requirements for this visa as well as instructions on how to apply here.

If a resident of another country, click here to find out which visa subclass they should apply for.

How long will a Working Holiday Maker visa application take?

A Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) can generally be issued in around six days. Second Working Holiday visas take around 14-21 days to process. Processing times may be affected by factors such as the completeness of applications lodged and additional checks performed by visa processing officers, such as those relating to health and character.

What kind of work is possible on a working holiday?

Any kind of lawful work is possible on their working holiday visa including full-time, part-time, casual, shift and voluntary work. There are a number of industries around Australia that regularly hire Working Holiday makers. See what types of jobs are most common for Working Holiday makers around Australia.

Where do I find out about available jobs?

There are several avenues to explore when it comes to finding a job in Australia. If you prefer a solution that helps them transition smoothly, explore work programs such as The Global Work & Travel Co. and Work N Holiday. They guarantee work opportunities for working holiday makers throughout the duration of their stay. The program may include airport pick-up, an induction to help them get established, and social activities. They may also help set up housing, provide training and even assist with getting a bank account and tax file number (TFN).

If they're happy to see where the adventure takes them, work in hospitality, office administration, childcare and construction is usually readily available. Browse openings on Australia’s main job boards: Seek, Indeed, Jora and Backpacker Job Board. They can also check the job boards at their hostel or sign up with a recruitment agency.

Get more tips on finding a job here.

Can they study on a working holiday?

Yes, they can study for up to four months during their 12-month visa. Note the working holiday programs are not suitable for those seeking to study full-time in Australia. If the primary reason for coming to Australia is to study, they should ask about a student visa, which may better suit their needs.

Is a student visa needed?

The Department of Home Affairs will grant a student visa if the course is registered, or part of a registered course, on a full-time basis. Under a student visa, they’ll have access to Australia’s subsidised student health cover and can apply for permission to work part-time. For more information, visit studyinaustralia.gov.au.

How much money is suggested for their working holiday?

For the Working Holiday Maker visa application, they must demonstrate they have access to sufficient funds to support themselves for the initial stage of their holiday. As a general rule, about AUD $5000 is considered sufficient. They should also have a return or onward ticket for departure, or the funds for a fare to depart Australia.

How much can they expect to earn?

Wages in Australia are generally high when compared with other countries. The current national minimum wage is AUD $18.93 per hour or AUD $719.20 per 38 hour week (before tax).

Casual employees covered by the national minimum wage also get at least a 25% casual loading. Learn more about what they can expect to earn when working in different professions in Australia.

Will they have to pay taxes?

Taxes will be deducted from any money made. Before they can get paid, they will need to open an Australian bank account. It’s also advisable to obtain a tax file number (TFN) to ensure they receive all due entitlements. Find more information on how to open a bank account and get a TFN here.

Can they claim any superannuation earned?

In Australia, superannuation is a regular payment made into a fund towards a future pension. These payments are made on top of salary and wages when more than AUD $450 per month is earned. If a temporary resident who works in Australia, they are entitled to receive a superannuation guarantee (also known as ‘super’) from their employer/s. 

Normally accessing Australian superannuation can only be done at retirement. However, temporary residents can claim their super when all of the following criteria apply:

• They visited Australia on a temporary visa (excluding Retirement visa holders and Investor Retirement visa holders)
• Their visa has ceased to be in effect (expired or cancelled) 
• They have left Australia
• They are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia

This payment is known as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). See ato.gov.au for more information.

Can they volunteer in Australia?

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with a local community and deepen your customer's Australian experience. WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) place travellers on organic farms, where farmers provide flexible jobs in exchange for accommodation and meals. They should expect to work half a day for a full day’s board. This model applies to a huge variety of other volunteer roles, from rescuing turtles in Cape York to organising arts festivals in Arnhem Land. They can also sign up as a Conservation Volunteer and work as part of a team to help preserve precious Australian eco-systems. Meals, accommodation and travel to and from the project are provided.  There are also lots of global organisations offering volunteer research expeditions and volunteer holidays in Australia.