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In a joint media release published on 31 May 2023 from Hon Andrew Giles MP and Senator the Hon Don Farrell, it has been said that the Australian Government is easing pathway restrictions among young Australians and United Kingdom (UK) passport holders to reside and render work in each country.
Following the implementation of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA), which was signed in December 2021, the aforementioned countries have agreed to enact new arrangements under the Holiday Maker (WHM) program and Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS).
What are these changes and what do they mean for UK passport holders who want to stay and work in Australia? We’ll address them all in this blog post.
There are two main developments in this Australia-UK program: increasing the eligible age range and removing specified work requirements.
Effective 1 July 2023, UK passport holders under the age of 18 to 35 can apply for a working holiday visa. Before this, the age restriction was 30. UK passport holders can apply for a work holiday visa under subclass 417 until midnight before their 36th birthday (AEST).
Starting 1 July 2024, UK passport holders aged 18 to 35 can be granted up to three Working Holiday visas, but without having to satisfy any specified work requirements.
Prior to this good news, UK passport holders are mandated to have at least 88 days’ or 3 months’ worth of regional work, which often involves farming. But on or after 1 July 2024, applicants will be able to subsequently apply for a second and third visa without having to render work in Australia’s regional areas.
UK passport holders of working holiday visas are currently allowed to stay for a total of three years in Australia. This is 12 months each for each visa grant, excluding those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This arrangement, however, is unchanged.
As long as you still meet the eligible age requirement of 18 to 35, you can apply for a second and third work holiday visa under subclass 417 any time. You also don’t need to stay in the country for three (3) consecutive years. In addition, you can lodge your second/third 417 visa application whether inside (onshore) or outside (offshore) Australia.
If you’re a UK passport holder and have already spent one to two years in Australia on a Working Holiday visa subclass 417 prior to the changes’ implementation date, you can still apply for the remaining visa on or after 1 July 2024 to maximise your three-year stay in Australia.
Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news
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The fairly recent changes in Australia’s Working Holiday Visa for UK passport holders is proof that immigration regulations can change any time over time. So if you need professional assistance on your visa application, you can trust our specialist staff at Parish Patience and their combined expertise in all areas of visa processing, including legal representation in appeals and court processes should the need arise.
You can call our office on 02 9286 8700 or email: ppmail@ppilaw.com.au
Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers is here to assist if you wish to move to Australia as a skilled worker and need a stress-free processing of your Australia-UK working holiday visa. Book your consultation with a migration lawyer today!
Here’s some more questions we often encounter from UK passport holders wanting to work, travel, or live in Australia.
A UK-Australia working holiday visa costs about AUD $635. However, it’s always best to consult with an immigration specialist for the most up-to-date information regarding fees, processes, and more.
Not at all! It is especially easy if you are certain you meet all eligibility criteria, submit all documentary requirements, and promptly respond to requests for additional information (if any) from the Department. This will guarantee a faster processing time with no unnecessary delays, which are oftentimes attributed to submitting either missing, incorrect, or incomplete information.
You need to apply for a permanent visa that is best suited for you. Permanent visas can be for family, work, study, business, or humanitarian reasons. For example, you can permanently live in Australia if a family member who is an Australian citizen/permanent resident sponsors you. You can also apply for a work-related visa, secure a temporary visa to start, and proceed to apply for a PR visa once you’re certain you satisfy all the eligibility requirements.
While having a job definitely helps, particularly jobs that are considered essential in the Australian economy and workforce, you can still emigrate to Australia without one. There are ways to do this, including, but not limited to, sponsorship from a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Your sponsoring family member must demonstrate his/her financial capacity to financially support you throughout your stay.
In as fast as two (2) weeks or 14 days! But that can take longer if the documents you submit are incomplete or incorrect. And you might also be denied a visa if you do not meet the eligibility criteria. But if you are granted this visa, you have about 12 months to fly to Australia.
Aside from the UK, visa holders from the following countries can apply for the working holiday visa under subclass 417 in Australia: Republic of Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway, among others.