The visa subclass 417, also known as a Working Holiday visa, allows young adults (generally 18 y.o. to 30 y.o.) from specific countries to come to Australia for an extended holiday, while also being able to work to fund it.
Only passport holders from the following countries/jurisdictions are eligible to apply for this visa:
- Belgium
- Canada
- Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
When you hold this visa, you can be employed for any kind of work, but this visa comes with the Condition 8547. With this condition, you cannot remain under the employment of any one employer for more than 6 months, from the date you commence your employment over your 12-month stay in Australia.
So if you have been employed by a business and you wish to continue beyond 6 months, you will need to write to the Department of Home Affairs with the Form 1445 and obtain permission to do so. Your request for permission may be approved where:
- You are employed as an au pair; or
- You have applied for another visa in Australia that would let you continue to work for your employer full time and are waiting for the Department’s decision; or
- You have exceptional circumstances, for example: