Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Just how big is Australia?
The answers sometimes leave them shocked..."how can it take nearly five days to drive across a single country? "
To help put the size of the country into context, the postcard below gives an excellent indication. That's space for all of Europe and probably all of Central America you could squeeze in.
Australian Working Holiday Visa Eligibility
The Basics
An Australian Working Holiday Visa is for young people between the ages of 18 - 30 and enables the holder entry to Australia and the right to work for up to six months with each employer.
The visa also allows holders to study or train for up to four months.
So What's So Great About It?
Australia is a vast country and to see it all would take a lifetime, never mind a year, and for many young people the cost of experiencing an adventure down under is prohibitive. At least now on a Working Holiday to Australia the cost can be offset by earning funds through part time/temporary work.
Many people on a Working Holiday Visa spend half their time travelling and then the rest of the time working to pay for it. What's more, the visa allows holders to do just about any job in Australia, depending on qualifications and statuatory requirements.
Some people love working and traveling down under so much they stay for 2-years, but we'll explain how you can do that later in this blog.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), the application must be made overseas and applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) of age without dependent children;
- Be eligible passport holders with at least 1 year until renewal on their passport;
- Be going to Australia on holidays; and
- Be able to show sufficient funds for a return or onward fare and an adequate amount of funds for the first part of their stay.
Eligible Passport Holders
Australia currently has reciprocal working holiday arrangements with:
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Italy
Japan
Malta
Norway
Republic of Cyprus
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Korea
Sweden Taiwan
The Netherlands
United Kingdom
Holders of the following passports must lodge their application in their country of passport:
Japan;
Malta;
The Republic of Cyprus;
The Republic of Korea; and
Germany.
Australia also has Work and Holida Visas (subclass 462) for tertiary educated people from China, Iran and Thailand. Information on this visa is available from the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website.
Health and Character
You need to meet health and character requirements; applicants with a pre-existing medical condition or a criminal record should declare it at the time of application. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to undertake a medical examination which may include a chest x-ray, HIV, Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis C test, although these requirements generally affect those candidates who have spent 3 consecutive months in the last five years as a resident in a Country or Countries considered to be of high health risk of tuberculosis, are likely to enter an Australian hospital or health care or are likely to be engaged in an Australian child care centre as either on employee or trainee.
Finances
You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday. Generally, AUD$5,000 (£2,200) may be regarded as sufficient, but the amount may vary depending on your length of stay and the extent of your travel. You should also have a return or onward ticket or the funds for a fare to depart Australia. You may be asked to provide evidence. Evidence may include a certified copy of a bank statement and an air ticket out of Australia.
That's It!
Yep, that's really about all the requirements to qualify for an Australian Working Holiday Visa. If you're ready to apply, the Visa Bureau's online Working Holiday Assessment makes it easy.
