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Immigration Terms

Australian Migration Agent's Commitments

Frequently Asked Questions

You will find answers here to the most commonly asked questions about Australian migration and citizenship. Important terms and phrases are also explained here.

Click on a question or scroll down the page to view general answer:

1. When do I need a visa for Australia?
2. How do I become an Australian citizen?
3. How do I apply for a visa to Australia?
4. How long does it take to process an application?
5. How can Beyderwellen & Company help?
6. What are my chances of success?
7. What will a visa application cost?
8. What are Beyderwellen & Company's fees?
9. What happens when my Australian permanent visa is granted?
10. What will my Australian visa permit me to do?
11. Will I receive evidence of my visa if my application is successful?
12. Will my visa cease when I leave Australia?
13. Am I required to provide information and documents to the Department when I arrive in Australia or leave Australia?
14. What happens to my visa if my passport is lost or stolen?
15. How do I know if I am a "lawful non-citizen"?
16. What happens if my Australian visa expires?
17. Do I need to advise the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) if I change my address?
18. What do I do if my circumstances change?
19. Can I remain in Australia permanently on a bridging visa?
20. Can I apply for permission to work while in Australia?
21. Can I have a Working Holiday in Australia?
22. If I need a visa, can it be granted to me without applying for it?
23. Can I apply for more than one visa at a time?
24. Can I hold more than one visa at a time?
25. I want to work in Australia. Can you help me?
26. Can I appeal the decision to refuse to grant a visa or to cancel a visa?
27. What is the Australian Migration Program?
28. How does the migration regulatory scheme work?

Q21: Can I have a Working Holiday in Australia?

The Working Holiday Maker Visa (Subclass 417) is targeted for persons between the ages of 18 to 30.

As of 20 November 2002, Australia has reciprocal working holiday agreements with Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Korea, Norway, Finland, Cyprus, Belgium and Hong Kong (Special Administrative region of the People's Republic of China or British National Overseas passport holders).

There is no provision for nationals of any other country to apply for the Working Holiday Visa, although more countries are likely to be added to the eligible list.

Citizens of Canada, The Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland can lodge a Working Holiday Visa application in any country outside Australia.

Citizens of Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Cyprus, Hong Kong (Special Administrative region of the People's Republic of China or British National Overseas passport holders) must apply in their home country.

Applicants are expected to have funds of approximately A$5,000 in the form of a current bank statement, traveler's cheques or a letter from the bank confirming available funds. Please note that cash and/or credit cards are not acceptable evidence of funds. In some circumstances, evidence of support from family may be accepted by the Department of Immigration.

The Working Holiday Visa allows a stay of one year from the date of first arrival, but holders of this visa are only able to work for any one employer for up to three months.

When a Working Holiday Visa holder enters Australia (provided it is within 12-months of the grant of the visa), the visa will allow the holder to stay in, leave and re-enter Australia on multiple occasions, during the twelve month period from their first entry to Australia. However, a Working Holiday Visa holder who leaves Australia during the 12-months stay cannot "top up" their visa or recover in any way the time spent outside Australia.

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