Please note that the information we provide in this article about a document checklist for the subclass 417 visa is current as of the date of publication, and the DHA regularly updates rules and regulations. Kindly ensure that you check the official updates before making any decisions, or speak with an immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information, as laws and conditions are subject to change.
This document checklist will enumerate the documents you must submit when applying for a Work Holiday visa (subclass 417) in Australia.
Is it that time of the year when you’re yearning to be someplace else and at the same time earn money to fund your trip? Look no further because Australia’s Work Holiday visa is here! This visa is for persons who are 18 to 35 years of age and want to travel and work in Australia temporarily.
In line with the later sections, we will share a document checklist for you to use when you apply for this visa and the key benefits that you may avail of under this visa.
Eligibility and Document Checklist: Primary Requirements
The Work Holiday visa is not open to everyone. You must satisfy and complete the following requirements to apply for this visa.
Eligibility Checklist
- Citizenship. The Work Holiday visa is very specific as to which countries can avail of this visa. Here’s a list from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA):
- Belgium
- Canada
- Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
- 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 (including British National Overseas passport holders)
To apply for this visa, you must be a citizen of any of these countries.
- Age limit. Moreover, you must also comply with the age requirement. Generally, you must be 18 to 30 years old to be eligible. However, for some countries, the age limit is up to 35 years old:
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Island (incl. British National Overseas passport holders).
- Previous visa. You can’t apply for this visa if you have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
- Enough funds. You must have sufficient funds when you apply for this visa. The fund must support your stay in Australia.
- Health and character requirements.
- Pay your debts to the Australian Government.
- You must not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused.
- Execute an Australian values statement.
Document Checklist: What To Prepare?
Gather the following documents and prepare a copy of each that will serve as your personal copy.
- Identity documents. This pertains to your current passport that shows your photo, personal details, passport issue and expiry dates. Other identity documents that you must have are:
- Birth certificate or
- Family book showing your parent’s name
- Government IDs
- Court-issued documents that will verify your identity
- If you have changed your name:
- Marriage or divorce certificate
- Change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages or other relevant overseas authorities.
- Other reliable and authentic documents that will show other names you have been known by.
- Character documents. This includes:
- Australian police certificate
- Overseas police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- Military service records or discharge papers if you serrved in the armed forces of any country.
- Other important forms:
Document Checklist: Other Requirements
Aside from the document checklist in the previous section, there are also other requirements that you might want to take note of:
- Health and travel insurance
- You must apply online, outside Australia.
- You must not be accompanied by any dependent children.
- You can’t include family members in the application.
- Pay the right taxes when you work in Australia on this visa.
- Your employer must pay superannuation into your superannuation fund if you earn over a specific amount. Access your superannuation fund before you leave Australia.
- You must not stay in Australia after the 12-month period. But you can apply for a second Working Holiday visa.
However, if you’re applying for a specified subclass 417 work visa, the DHA might ask for more requirements. The DHA has posted a list of approved industries and areas for specified work. The following industries and areas are approved for specified work:
- tourism and hospitality in Northern or Remote and Very Remote Australia, from 22 June 2021
- plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
- fishing and pearling in regional Australia
- tree farming and felling in regional Australia
- mining in regional Australia
- construction in regional Australia
- bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire-affected areas carried out after 31 July 2019
Here’s a document checklist of these requirements:
- Proof of work experience, such as:
- Certificates of employment
- Pay slips
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Job description
- Work contracts
- Awards and recognitions
- Project documentation
- Licence and registration or membership in a professional organisation
- English language proficiency tests
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, TOEIC
- Sponsorship documents
- Australian business number
- Company financial statements
- Business plans
- Labour market testing evidence
- Employment contracts
- Skills assessment report
- Labour agreement
Get Visa Application Tips From a Work Visa Lawyer
Aside from this document checklist, consulting with a work visa lawyer from JB Solicitors might be helpful when you experience issues in submitting your requirements. Migration lawyers are well-equipped with experience and knowledge when it comes to visa application and migration issues.
We can also provide the following migration services:
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment for different visa types
- Citizenship application guidance
- Appeals for visa refusals
- Guidance on suitable occupations for migration
- Advising on business visas, family migration, temporary work visa applications, and other checklists.
Do you want to know more about Australia’s migration law requirements? Click this link here and schedule a consultation with our migration attorneys.
