The Australia Working Holiday Visa Checklist

Have you been wanting to plan a working holiday Down Under but don’t know how to go about the process?

Take a breath of relief as we’ve put together a checklist to tell you everything you need to know and plan for before you head off for your great Australian adventure.

Applying For The Right Visa 

 The first step of your journey will be visiting the Department of Immigration’s website to apply for the right visa, which is Visa Subclass 417. This will take about an hour to complete online and will give you a year to enter Australia from the date it’s granted. 

Your ability to work in the country during your holiday is largely dependent on whether you get the right visa. Hence, this is the most crucial step in planning your working holiday. 

How To Apply For Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417? 

Firstly, you need to open an ImmiAccount through the Department of Immigration’s website. 

Next, you need to attach the right documents. Since this is an online visa application, your documents must be scanned or must be photocopies of the original documents.

Lastly, you need to pay the correct visa fee of AUD485 via your ImmiAccount to make sure your application is processed. 

Make Sure You Are Eligible To Apply 

Before applying for the Subclass 417 visa, it is important you know if you are eligible for this visa. 

This visa requires you to be under the age of 30, hold a passport from one of the eligible countries or jurisdictions and not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.

Gather The Right Documents 

For a working holiday visa 417, this is the document checklist for your application:

• A certified copy of your passport: this needs to be valid for at least 12 months and must show the issue date and expiry date of your passport. 
• Birth certificate: this must show your full name and both your parents’ names. 
• Any evidence of your name change (if applicable) 
• Proof of sufficient funds: this needs to be a copy of a bank statement that shows at least AUD 5,000 to support the initial stage of your holiday. This amount may vary depending on whether you can show a return or onward ticket, your proposed length of stay, and the extent of your travel. 
• Evidence that you have tertiary qualifications or successful completion of at least two years of undergraduate university study
• Any documents proving good character
• A signed copy of Australia’s values statement 

Setting Things Up After Getting Your Visa 

Once your working holiday visa is granted, you will need to set up the following accounts before you land in Australia: 

• Bank Account: most employers will only pay into an Australian bank account and the big four banks –Westpac, Commonwealth, ANZ, and NAB
• Tax File Number (TFN): you will have to provide a TFN to your employer, which can be obtained online. 
• Health Insurance: find out whether Australia has reciprocal health care arrangements with your country of residence, otherwise get private health insurance. 
• Phone Number: Telstra is the phone carrier with the widest coverage. 

Visa Processing Time 

The majority of work and holiday visa applications are processed within 5 months.

That said, you may also receive a working holiday visa as early as 85 working days in some cases.

However, the processing time will be extended if you don’t submit a completed online application form. 

How Long You Can Stay With A Working Holiday Visa 

Taking into account how long you have to stay is a crucial part of planning your trip. 

A Visa Subclass 417 is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in Australia for a year. You have 12 months to enter the country after your visa is granted, and it becomes active as soon as you enter. 

In case you don’t enter Australia a year after visa 417 is granted, your visa will no longer be valid and this time limit will not be extended.

Traveling With A Working Holiday Visa 

Yes, you can travel with your 417 visas as necessary, but your visa must be valid while you are traveling in and out of the country. 

Also, keep in mind that the time you spend out of Australia is counted towards your one-year validity period. 

Finding A Job 

There are plenty of jobs available for you on a working holiday visa if you are flexible and realistic. 

Although it can be hard to find professional work given you’re only in the country for a short period, the good news is that even the least skilled work is rewarded with good wages, of at least $20-25 in Australia. 

You may have a look at Y-jobs for opportunities in tourism & hospitality. Other platforms you can look for casual job openings are Seek.com.au,  JobSearch, and Gumtree. 

Know that you may need qualifications depending on what work you get, for example, an RSA license to serve alcohol. 

Additionally, you can be self-employed with a working holiday visa. However, you can only keep a work contract for six months with the same business or company. You may also apply for an ABN if you are self-employed.

Avoid Expense Accommodation By House Sitting

Becoming a house sitter in Australia can be a game-changer if you wish to travel long-term on a Working Holiday visa, especially if you’re looking to save some cash. It can give you free accommodation which means you can spend more money on the fun exciting activities in Australia.

The main job of a house sitter is to provide care to pets and keep the house secure and occupied while the owner is away.

House Sitting opportunities can range from a few days to up to a year, which allows you to travel and work all over the country while looking after people’s houses.

Furthermore, house-sitting also provides you with the opportunity to stay in luxurious accommodations you otherwise would not be able to afford on a backpacker’s budget.

Enjoying Your Working Holiday

Be sure to not get too wrapped up in the ‘working’ aspect of the holiday, and use your visa to explore and understand the place like a local would.

You could do this by constantly being on the move throughout the country and changing locations during your stay. You could always start with picking apples in Tasmania and move to pouring beers in Queensland. 

As Australia is a huge country filled with diversity, don’t spend the whole time sweating about work and get out there to explore!  

Bottom Line 

Planning a working holiday can be an overwhelming and stressful process that seems task-heavy.

However, by following and taking into consideration the checklist mentioned above, you are sure to plan and stress-free working holiday filled with exciting adventures!