I want to visit Australia for a holiday and work while I’m there to help pay for my trip. What does this visa allow me to do?
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Answer by Kert Stavorn, Belmore 2192 NSW
- The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is a visa that allows young people from certain countries to experience Australia encouraging cross-cultural ties while supplementing their stay with some form of short-term employment. The program allows a visa holder to spend 12 months holidaying in Australia while undertaking short-term work if they wish to do so. Some of the conditions are:
- you must be between 18 and 31 years of age at the time of application;
- you must not have any dependent children at the time of application that will join you in Australia;
- you must have enough money to support yourself while on holiday (approximately AUD$5,000);
- you must have a return ticket or show that you have enough money to buy an onward travel ticket at the end of your stay;
- this must be the first time you have applied for a Work and Holiday visa;
- you must meet the minimum educational requirements;
- you must have functional English which means you must possess the following:
- obtained an IELTS score of at least 4.5 from a test conducted no more than 2 years ago;
- obtained a TOEFL score of 133 on computer based test, 450 on paper-based test or 45 on an internet based test conducted no more than 2 years ago;
- passed the Occupational English Test;
- went to primary school and at least 3 years of secondary school at an institution which teaches primarily in English;
- went to secondary school where at least 5 years was taught primarily in English; or
- completed a diploma or degree where at least 2 years of the full-time course was conducted in English;
- you must get a letter from your relevant Ministry stating your desire to apply for a Work and Holiday visa. This requirement varies from country to country;
- you must meet the character and health requirements including a police clearance certificate and a medical checkup; and
- you must prove that you are a genuine visitor and that you intend to return home at the end of your stay.