Australian Working Holiday Updates for UK Passport Holders – Here’s What You Need to Know!

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Want to get a visa for Australia from UK? There are new working holiday (subclass 417) visa arrangements for UK passport holders!

Firstly, the Working Holiday Visa Australia age limit has increased from 30 to 35.

And there’s more!

There will be no more specified work requirements from July 2024.

In this article, we’ll cover the changes made to the Australian Working Holiday Visa for UK citizens!

Australian Working Holidaymaker program

This program offers you the opportunity to work and travel in Australia for 12 months.

You can begin this process by first checking the Australian visa requirements for UK citizens.

Note that there are two types of visas you can apply for depending on your country of citizenship:

  • Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
  • Australian Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

Read Also:
Read: Australian Working Holiday Visa vs. Work & Holiday Visa – What’s the difference?

Do UK citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes, to enter Australia as a British citizen you’ll need a visa.

And when it comes to a working holiday, you are eligible for the Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417).

Read also:
It’s now even easier to apply for your Australian Working Holiday Visa with Visa First!

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What are the new updates?

As part of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, the changes are as follows:

  • From 1 July 2023, if you’re a UK passport holder, you can apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa if you’re between the age of 18 to 35 (up until the day before your 36th birthday)
  • Secondly, from July 1 2024, you no longer have to meet specified work requirements if you’re a UK citizen to obtain a second and a third Australian Working Holiday Visa.

Previously one of the Australian Working Holiday Visa requirements for UK citizens was to be between the ages of 18 to 30, however, as stated above the age has increased to 35.

Moreover, to apply for a second-year Working Holiday Visa, you must complete three or six months of specified work in your first Working Holiday Visa in order to apply for a second year. However, the new change that will come into effect on 1 July 2024, states that specified work will no longer be required to be eligible to apply for a second followed by a third Working Holiday Visa.

Read also:
How to get a Working Holiday Visa for Australia?

To clarify, specified work is…

Specified work refers to a specific type of work for Australian Working Holiday Visa participants.

The reason why working holidaymakers participate in this type of work is because it will allow you to extend your stay in Australia for an additional period beyond the initial 12 months.

Specified work is a win-win for you and for Australia as you will contribute to regional areas and industries that may have a shortage of workers, but at the same time, you can gain work experience, earn income, and immerse yourself in the local communities.

Some examples of specified work are agricultural, construction, and mining work.

Read also:
Can You Apply For Two Australian Working Holiday Visas With Dual Nationality?

How to apply for Australian visa from UK?

Of course, you can apply for your visa yourself.

However, at Visa First, we can help you secure your visa, whether it’s for the first, second or third year of your working holiday!

We ensure your application is submitted correctly and we also increase your chances of a successful outcome.

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Why choose Visa First?

  • We’ve been in the business for 20 years!
  • You can apply easily online with us
  • Our visa experts will guide you through the entire application process

*Reviewed by a visa expert.

About the Author

Timea Fodor

Timea is an enthusiastic author at Visa First with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a passion for writing. She aims to simplify complex topics and inspire others to navigate immigration with ease.

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