Working Holiday Maker Concessions to be Removed
The Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) visa allows visa holders to stay in Australia for up to 12 months and take on short-term employment usually of a six-month duration. Once the six-month period ends, Working Holiday visa holders need to obtain permission to continue working for the same employer or find alternative employment.
On 19 January 2022, the six-month work limitation for Working Holiday Makers was relaxed to accommodate the increased demand for temporary workers in Australia. This meant that anyone with a Working Holiday visa in Australia could work for the same employer for the duration of their visa without requesting permission to do so.
While the Department of Home Affairs announced that this relaxed working condition would cease on 31st December 2022, this has now been extended to 30th June 2023. From 1st July 2023, if a WHM visa holder commences working with their employer prior to 1st July 2023, they will be able to continue working for that same employer for an additional six months from 1st July 2023.
What is Working Holiday Maker visa program
Under Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program, young people) from certain countries (aged 18 to 30 years; or 35 years of age for certain passport holders) may apply for one of two visas—Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462). The visa available to applicants depends on their country of citizenship, but both visas enable young people to travel in Australia for extended periods and to support themselves during their stay with short-term employment in any industry.
Established in 1975, the working holiday program now has over 40 partner countries or jurisdictions. Some of the countries that are part of the program have an annual cap on the number of visas available in each program year (1st July – 30th June). Once a country has reached its cap, no more applications from that country can be lodged for that program year.
Caps for the 2022 – 2023 program year were increased by 30% for each country. This was a one-off increase and program numbers will return to normal for the 2023 – 2024 program year. There is no cap on second or third work and holiday visas.
The program is usually reciprocal, allowing young Australians to travel and work under similar arrangements in partner countries, allowing them to work and study on a short-term basis.
If you would like to learn more about working holiday maker visas or any other aspect of migration, speak to the experienced team of registered migration agents on 1800 828 008.
