The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program now includes over 40 partner countries in two visa subclasses, the Working Holiday (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. These visas allow people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) and Canadian, French and Irish citizens 18 to 35 years old (inclusive) to travel and work in any location, occupation or industry while in Australia.
Agreement in principle has also been reached between Australia and the UK to increase the maximum eligible age from 30 to 35 years for UK passport holders and to issue visas for up to three years. Negotiations are still in progress and further updates are anticipated to be provided in late 2022.
From 4 April 2020, WHM’s working in critical sectors, including health, aged and disability care are automatically exempt from the six-month work limitation with the same employer and no longer need to obtain prior permission from the Department. WHM’s can now also count critical COVID-19 work undertaken in the healthcare and medical sectors as ‘specified work’ to apply for a Second or Third WHM visa.
Currently, WHM visas can be processed in less than one day, with the majority of applications finalised within 61 days. From 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated WHM visa holders, can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
If you previously held a WHM visa which was impacted by COVID travel restrictions, you may be eligible for reapply for another ‘no fee’ visa or request a refund.
If you are a medical imaging professional, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist or podiatrist and are eligible for a WHM visa, we would love to hear from you!
