For Working Holiday Makers

Q. What are the measures that the Government do in order to support industries that rely on Working Holiday Makers?

• Working Holiday Makers working in critical sectors (including agriculture and food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare) will be exempt from the restriction that limits them to only working for 6 months with one employer.
• Working Holiday Makers in critical sectors who are not eligible for further working holiday visa and are unable to return to their home country can apply for the COVID-19 pandemic Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream without incurring a visa application charge. This visa will allow its holder to continue working in Australia until it is safe and practicable to return to their home country.
• Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws. Overseas workers have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.

Q. What can I do if I am on a Work Holiday visa and am unable to support myself in Australia?

• If you are unable to support yourself, you should make arrangements to return home.

Q. If I am unable to return home, can I apply for an extension of my current visa?

• You can apply for a further Work Holiday visa if you have undertaken specified work for three months on your first WHM visa or six months on your second WHM visa.

The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa holders:

- plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia;

- fishing and pearling in regional Australia;

- tree farming and felling in regional Australia;

- mining in regional Australia;

- construction in regional Australia;

- bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019.

The following industries and areas are approved as specified work for subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa holders:

- plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia;

- fishing and pearling in northern Australia only;

- tree farming and felling in northern Australia only;

- tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only;

- construction in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia; and

- bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019.

• A new visa application must be lodge before the current visa expires. Visa holders may be eligible for a bridging visa grant for them to lawfully stay in Australia while waiting for the visa decision.

Q. Can I count work in critical sectors in response to COVID-19 as ‘specified work’ for the purpose of applying for a second or third Work Holiday Maker visa?

• Existing arrangements for specified work will remain in place. However, the Australian government has announced a temporary measure that will assist those WHMs working in critical sector who are not eligible to apply for second and third Work Holiday visa.
• WHM visa holder working in critical sectors and unable to return to their home country, can apply for the COVID-19 pandemic Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream. This visa will allow its holder to continue working in Australia until it is safe and practicable to return to their home country.

Q. I have an on going application for my second or third Work Holiday visa. Can I keep working while waiting for the decision?

• Yes, because you will receive a bridging visa grant that carries the same conditions as your previous visa, including in relation to work rights. You and your employer can check Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) at any time to confirm your work rights.

Q. Due to COVID-19, I couldn’t complete the specified work I need to apply for my second or third WHM visa. Can I extend my visa to give me more time to look for work?

• If the WHM visa holders did not able to complete the 3 or 6 months of specified work required to apply for a second or third WHM visa, then they need to apply for another visa to remain lawfully in Australia until they are able to depart.

• WHM visa holder working in critical sectors and unable to return to their home country, can apply for the COVID-19 pandemic Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream. This visa will allow its holder to continue working in Australia until it is safe and practicable to return to their home country.

If you are unable to depart Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic and you wants to extend your stay. Click here for more information. 

Should you require assistance on your visa matter, contact us at 03 99997964.

Source: Department of Home Affairs