Fact Sheet 49a - Work and Holiday Program
Australia's Work and Holiday Program encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between arrangement countries by allowing young people, aged 18-30 (inclusive) to have an extended holiday supplemented by short-term employment.
Australia currently has reciprocal work and holiday arrangements with Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America and Uruguay.
Benefits of the program
The Work and Holiday Program enhances the cultural and social development of young people, promotes mutual understanding between Australia and other nations and is an important part of the tourist industry.
The reciprocal nature of these arrangements ensures that young Australians can take advantage of similar opportunities for cultural understanding through working and holidaying overseas.
Criteria for visas
Applicants main reason for coming to Australia should be to holiday. Any work they undertake should only be to support themselves while on holiday. They should have a return ticket or sufficient funds for a return or onward fare, as well as sufficient funds for the first part of their holiday.
Work and Holiday visa holders are permitted to stay for 12 months from the date they arrive in Australia, regardless of whether they spend the whole period in Australia.
Further information about the visa requirements for each country is available on the department's website.
See: Work and Holiday visa
Work and study conditions
Work and Holiday visa holders are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature as the main purpose of the visit is for holiday and travel. Work for longer than six months with any one employer is not allowed.
Work and Holiday visa holders are allowed to study or train for up to four months.
Further information is available on the department's website.
See: www.immi.gov.au
The department also operates a national general enquiries line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Recorded information is available outside these hours.
Fact Sheet 49a. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of
Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Last reviewed September 2012.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010.