How this Visa Works

The purpose of this visa is for you to holiday and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. Any work should be temporary to supplement your funds. Periods of work should be broken up by periods of holiday and travel.

Working

Work and Holiday visa holders are allowed to undertake any type of work on a temporary basis. You are allowed to work for up to six months with each employer.

Working beyond six months with the same employer, without the required permission, may result in your visa being cancelled and you may be required to leave Australia.
Note: It is not possible to qualify for an additional Work and Holiday visa by working in regional Australia. This option is only available under the Working Holiday visa.
See: Working Holiday Visa Options

If you intend to work in your own occupation you should check if registration or licensing is required.
See:
Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI)
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
Trades Recognition

If your main reason for coming to Australia is work, you should consider applying for a business visa.
See: Employer Sponsored Workers

Studying

You can study for a maximum of four months.

If you are considering studying in Australia, particularly for a longer period of time, it may be helpful to check if there is a student visa option that is more suitable to your needs.
See:
Student Visa Options
Studying in Australia

Visa validity period

If granted a Work and Holiday visa you have 12 months from the grant date to enter Australia. The visa is valid for 12 months from the date you first enter Australia.
Note: If you leave Australia during your 12 month stay, you cannot recover the period of time spent outside Australia.

Accompanying family

You cannot include family members in your application for this visa. If your partner wants to accompany you to Australia, they may do so, but will need to apply for their own visa.

It is not possible for you to travel to Australia on a Work and Holiday visa with children. If you want to travel to Australia with children, you should apply for a different kind of visa.

Extending your stay in Australia

You may apply for a second or third Work and Holiday visa in Australia. In order to apply you must:

• be in Australia and hold a current visa at the time of application
• apply before your current Work and Holiday visa expires (recommended at least 14 days before)
• be in Australia at the time of grant
• not have previously held more than two Work and Holiday visas.

For contact details and information on how to apply for a second or third Work and Holiday visa contact the Specialist Temporary Entry Processing Centre.
See: Specialist Temporary Entry Processing Centre