I have a question. How can I get a quick answer?
You can now chat live with our visa team by
clicking here. Our team are ready to provide you with answers on working visas, opening bank accounts before you leave, work and arrival packs and getting and Australian SIM card before you go so that you can use your mobile down under.
Do I need a bank statement stating I have $5,000 Australian dollars to apply for the visa?
No. Since Visa First will lodge your visa application electronically there is no requirement to submit any additional documents to have your visa granted. However, applicants for an electronic working holiday visa are required to declare in their application sufficient funds for a return onward fare to their intended overseas destination on leaving Australia. Applicants are also required to declare sufficient funds for personal support for the purposes of a working holiday. This would normally be around AU$5000 (approx. €3,400 / £2,300 / CA$4,600) in addition to funds for return airfare. Please note that there is no need to purchase it in advance.
Do I need to have chest x-rays to apply?
No. You do not need chest x-rays to apply. Please do not undergo any medial/chest x-ray until your application has been submitted to VISA FIRST. Should you require a medical or chest x-rays VISA FIRST will notify of this immediately. If a chest x-ray/medical are required, your application may take approximately 4 weeks to process from the date that your medical results are forwarded for assessment. Additional processing fees may apply.
How long will my Australian working holiday visa be valid for?
After you submit this application, you will have 12 months to arrive in Australia. After you arrive in Australia, you will be allowed to stay in Australia for a maximum of 12 months.
UK and other countries: The total fee for the standard visa which is processed in 48 hours is £115. The 2 week visa is £105.
Ireland: The total fee for the standard visa which is processed in 48 hours is €160. The 2 week visa is €150.
Canada: The total fee for the standard visa which is processed in 48 hours is CA$235. The 2 week visa is CA$215.
How do I apply for the Australian working holiday visa?
Complete the Australian working holiday application form, taking your time to answer each question in full. If you are applying for your Australian working holiday visa in Ireland, post your application form, including payment of €160, to VISA FIRST, 12-14 College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. If you are applying for your visa in the UK, post your application form, including payment of £115 to VISA FIRST, First Floor, 277-281 Oxford Street, London, W1C 2DL, United Kingdom. You can pay by enclosing a postal order or bank draft made payable to Traveltowork Ltd* or by completing the credit card section of the application. Do not send cash or cheque.
*Visa First is a trading name for Traveltowork Ltd.
How will I know when my application has been finalised?
Once we receive your application, we will call or email you. When your Australian working holiday visa is approved, you will receive an Australian working holiday visa approval letter at your nominated email or postal address. Make sure you keep a copy of this letter. This letter will confirm your visa approval and detail the validity date of your visa and conditions.
What do I need to do once my Australian working holiday visa is granted?
Once you arrive in Australia, you must remember to collect your visa label at the nearest immigration office. You MUST remember to use the same passport as the one you used in this application.
What if I have questions when completing this VISA FIRST application?
You can contact the VISA FIRST Helpdesk in Ireland by calling:
- Ireland: +353 1 878 3329
- UK: +44 207 659 9180
- Australia: +61 2 8297 6107
- New Zealand: +64 9 366 0877
- Canada: +1 647 724 1785
- USA: +1 866 772 9245
- Netherlands: +31 2 0890 8144
We will be glad to answer questions or concerns about your application.
Alternatively you can chat live with our visa team by
clicking here.
Remember, to ensure your Australian working holiday visa is processed quickly and hassle-free:
- Complete the application form in full, taking care to answer all questions.
- Post the application form to your local VISA FIRST office (either in Ireland or the UK) , including your payment of €155/£115/CA$235.
- We will call or email you immediately to let you know we have received your application.
- We will then ensure that your WHM visa is processed correctly and you will receive written notification upon approval.
Does VISA FIRST offer an Australia arrivals package?
Yes, Kickstart Australia is an 'all you need' arrivals pack designed for backpackers arriving in Australia. Click
here to read more.
If someone I know has worked in Australia, can they claim back some of the income tax they have paid as they may be due a few hundred dollars?
Yes, if you have family or friends that have worked abroad in Australia since 1999, they will have paid 29% of their wages in income tax. Their employer will also have paid 9% over and above their wages into a fund called a superannuation . Tell them to register today for a free quote on
www.taxback.com and
www.superannuation.ie and they should receive money back from Australia shortly.
Can I use my mobile phone in Australia?
You need to unblock your phone first and you will also need an Australian mobile sim card. We can provide a pack to you that will allow you to unblock your phone and use your current handset. This is a very popular service as it means you can provide your family and friends with your phone number before you even leave. Click
here to see more details. Simply return this form to us and your sim pack will be in the post. If you have any questions you can talk to us live by
clicking here.
Can I get advice from your Australian working holiday visa team live?
Yes, you can talk live with our staff by simply
clicking here.
I have been to Australia on a Working Holiday visa once. Can I apply for a second Working Holiday visa for Australia?
Yes, but only in case you have worked as a seasonal worker* in regional Australia** for a minimum of three months*** on your first Working Holiday visa. To provide evidence of seasonal work, please
click here and download "Employment Verification Form 1263" which must be completed by all employers you have done seasonal work with during your first 12 months stay in Australia.
*Seasonal work is the harvesting and/or packing of fruit and vegetable crops, pruning and trimming vines and trees, general maintenance crop work, plant cultivation, animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, and tree farming and felling.
**Regional Australia is any area outside of Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the ACT.
***Three months is considered to be three calendar months. Time worked is taken from start date to end date e.g., if a person works for one employer for two weeks, weekends will not be deducted. Work must be full time. Full time work is taken to be the norm for that employer, that region and that industry. The work need not be paid work.