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Several important changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program will apply to new applications made on or after 1 July 2019. The ‘Working Holiday Maker’ visas include the Working Holiday (Subclass 417) visa and the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa.

Third work and holiday visa

WHM visa holders who complete six months of specified work in regional areas while on their second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa are now eligible to apply for a third visa. The specified work and regional areas are set out in Migration (IMMI 17/018: Working Holiday Visa – Specified Work and Regional Australia) Instrument 2017.

Practically, this means visa holders will be able to stay in Australia for up to three years (instead of the current two). The specified work also must be carried out on or after 1 July 2019, meaning applications for a third visa cannot be lodged before January 2020.

Areas that currently fall under ‘Regional Australia’ include key regions in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, as well as all of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania.

Age limit for French nationals increased

New regulations increased the upper age limit from 30 to 35 (inclusive) for French nationals for the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417). Canadian and Irish nationals also have a maximum age limit of 35 years old.

The maximum age for citizens from all other eligible countries remains at 30 years old.

New countries added

Finally, Greece and Ecuador were added to the list of countries whose citizens can apply for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa.

The requirement for citizens of Austria, Portugal and Spain to provide evidence of government support for the application was also removed.