| If you're planning on being on of the 30,000 Brits | | | | undertake "seasonal work"), so there's no danger |
| heading Down Under this summer on a gap year | | | | of losing any time in Australia if you do apply |
| or working holiday, then the Australian Visa | | | | slightly early. |
| Bureau has some important advice about when | | | | About the Australian Working Holiday Visa |
| you should apply for your visa. | | | | To be eligible for the Australian Working Holiday |
| The Australian working holiday visa programme | | | | Program, candidates must be between 18 and 30 |
| allows young people between the age of 18-30 to | | | | (inclusive), have no children and be citizens of |
| travel and work throughout Australia for up to a | | | | country where a reciprocal working holiday |
| year, or if they undertake seasonal work for | | | | arrangement exists (these include the United |
| three months, up to two years. | | | | Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Canada). |
| Most UK and Irish citizens have little difficulty in | | | | In addition, applicants must prove they have |
| applying for their visa, but where there are | | | | 'sufficient funds', roughly £2,200 to support |
| potential health issues or criminal convictions, the | | | | themselves for the initial period of their holiday |
| process can be delayed and to avoid | | | | plus a return or onwards air ticket (or the funds |
| disappointment it is best to apply at least two | | | | to purchase another ticket) and be of good health |
| months in advance of your planned departure | | | | and character. Criminal convictions are taken into |
| date. | | | | account and may delay or extend the visa |
| "One of the problems we find is that people are | | | | processing period. |
| applying either too early for their working holiday | | | | Applications for Working Holiday Visas must be |
| visa, or in most cases, too late," said Amanda | | | | made outside Australia. In other words, applicants |
| Gripske, a working holiday consultant for the | | | | cannot be on holidays in Australia already and |
| Australian Visa Bureau. | | | | apply from within the country. The visa is granted |
| "Usually it takes just a few days to process a | | | | upon entry to Australia and is valid for 12 months |
| working holiday visa if all is well, but in certain | | | | from the entry date. |
| circumstances, for example where people may | | | | A Working Holiday Visa allows for multiple entries |
| have indicated they have a pre-existing medical | | | | to Australia, meaning travelers can visit other |
| complaint, have spent three months outside of | | | | countries in the region while on their working |
| the UK in a TB high risk country, or perhaps have | | | | holiday visa. However, any time spent outside |
| had a previous criminal conviction, then extra | | | | Australia cannot be reclaimed. |
| checks may be required by the Australian | | | | As the criteria for the visa are straightforward, |
| Department of Immigration and that can take | | | | other considerations for backpackers and career |
| time. | | | | breakers alike include processing time and the |
| "We have seen people apply just a week before | | | | conditions imposed once the visa itself is granted. |
| they were booked on a flight out, receive a | | | | A straightforward visa application can take |
| request to undertake a chest x-ray (as is | | | | anywhere from 2 days to 6 weeks to process. |
| commonly required by anyone seeking to work in | | | | Generally, processing is under two weeks, but if |
| a medical or hospital environment) and not | | | | applicants have medical or criminal considerations |
| manage to get the results back in time to get | | | | this period may be extended. |
| their visa granted before their flight left." | | | | Once the visa is granted, the conditions imposed |
| Without an appropriate work visa visitors are not | | | | on the holder include the previously mentioned 6 |
| allowed to undertake any paid work in Australia. | | | | month working limit for any one employer. Study |
| The government has also taken steps to clamp | | | | is allowed for up to four months. |
| down on "working under the table" by making it a | | | | An Australian Working Holiday Visa is activated |
| criminal offence for an employer to give work to | | | | upon entry to Australia for a period of 12 months |
| anyone without a valid work visa. This makes it | | | | from the date of entry. In November 2005, it |
| even more important to ensure you have a valid | | | | became possible to apply for a second Working |
| visa and apply in good time. | | | | Holiday Visa. This 12 month 'extension' or second |
| "We would advise people to apply at least six to | | | | visa is available to applicants who worked as |
| two months before they are planning to travel to | | | | seasonal employees in a regional area. For a full |
| Australia, especially if they know they could be | | | | definition of what constitutes seasonal work in |
| required to undergo an x-ray or provide | | | | regional Australia, please see the Visa Bureau |
| background information," added Gripske. | | | | website; |
| You do have up to a year from the date your | | | | Applications for a second Working Holiday Visa |
| visa is granted to enter Australia and then you | | | | must be submitted with proof of the work |
| can stay for a full year (or 2 if you opt to | | | | completed and in what area. |