Under the conditions of a first Australian Work and Holiday visa (either subclass 417 or 462) working holidaymakers are entitled to spend one year working and travelling around Oz.
But is one year really enough time to enjoy a working holiday in Australia?
After all, it’s an entire continent! With bustling cities and sights to see sprawled right across the country, 12 months is hardly enough time to sample the complete wallaby experience.
So it’s little wonder that so many working holidaymakers are keen to extend their stay ‘down under’.
Fortunately, if you want to remain in Australia for longer than your first working holiday visa allows, you can apply for a second-year extension visa.
To be eligible for this visa there are a number of conditions that you must meet.
Let’s take a closer look at these terms.
In order to qualify for a visa extension, you must have completed three months of specified paid work in regional Australia while on your first year Work and Holiday visa. A postcode list of eligible areas to work in regional Australia can be found here.
There are many different industries you can work in to become eligible for a second-year visa including:
Note: Secondary processing of animal products, such as small goods processing and retail butchery is not eligible
In order to apply for a visa extension, you will need to provide evidence of the specified work that you have completed.
417 visa subclass holders will need to have an Employment Verification Form 1263 completed by each eligible employer during your first 12 months in Oz. You can download this form here.
Meanwhile, if you’re a 462 visa subclass holders will need to have an Employment Verification Form 1464 which is completed by every eligible employer you have had during your first 12 months in Oz. You can download this form here.
Filling in the form should not be a problem for any regional Australian employer operating in one of the above industries. With that said, it’s always a good idea to check before beginning work that the employer is willing to complete the form.
It’s a good idea to apply for your extension as early as possible. Of course, you will need to complete three months of specified work before you can submit your application.
The processing time for this visa is between three working days and three weeks from the day your documents arrive with the embassy.
If you are in Australia and your first visa is about to expire, you will be granted a bridging visa after your extension application is submitted. The bridging visa will be valid until your application is assessed.
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