Working Holiday Makers: New COVID-19 Arrangement For Previous Holders
If you are a previous holder of Working Holiday Makers (Subclass 417 or 462 visa) who has now transitioned to a COVID-19 visa (Subclass 408) and have been undertaking critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors, this new visa arrangement is a good news for you!
The government of Australia admits that COVID-19 is having unprecedented effects on communities in Australia. People in health sectors have been working really hard, risking their lives to protect others during this very difficult time. For that reason, the Australian government recognises the contribution of WHM holders in critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors, and this new arrangement is taking effect from 14 November 2020.
What Is Working Holiday Maker Visa?
Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) program allows any of you aged 18 to 30 to have extended holiday in Australia and work to fund yourself for your trip. This temporary visa will allow you to stay for 12 months. There are two WHMs subclasses, depending on the passport you hold, you may apply for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) or the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. According to a survey done by the Department, approximately there are 121,000 working holiday makers in Australia from various countries. Under this program, all of you will be covered by the same workplace laws regarding their pay and conditions.
Find out more about the Working Holiday Maker Program here.
What Is The New Visa Arrangement For The Working Holiday Makers Program And What Does It Mean?
Starting from 14 November 2020, previous holders of any WHMs who has shifted to a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa (subclass 408) and remain to undertake critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors can count their work as ‘specified work’ towards fulfilling the eligibility for their second or third year WHM visa. The goal of these new changes is to acknowledge the contribution of WHMs doing critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors and ensure that they can still access WHM visa options.
Before the new changes, previously until 19 August 2020, ‘Specified work’ only includes work in the agriculture, mining and construction industries and bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas, as well as specified subclass 462 field or industry that only includes work in agriculture, construction and tourism and hospitality, in a designated area in northern or regional Australia, in order to be eligible for second or third WHM visa.
This new addition of work sector criteria for the Working Holiday Makers’ second and third option will have a big impact especially for the economic recovery from COVID-19. It will give many more opportunities in terms of visa options for former WHMs holders to remain in Australia legally while contributing to the economy. The Australian government announced this new arrangement via the WHMs program website and will start to take effect on the same day as the announcement.
If you wish to check your eligibility for a Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) visa, please contact us via email [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159.
What Is The New Process After The New Visa Arrangement For The WHM Program?
WHM visa can be lodged with an online application, if you are currently holding a WHM visa or a COVID-19 visa, you are allowed to apply for your second visa onshore. You also have to provide evidence you have enough funds for your holiday in Australia. If you are applying in Australia, you don’t need to provide this evidence of funds.
The processing time for Working Holiday Maker visa extension is 40 days to 3 months. However, your application may take longer if you do not include all the documents that are needed. That’s why it is important to double-check the requirements before you apply for this visa.
The cost of this WHM visa arrangement is $485. However, you might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police clearance certificate and biometrics.
What Are You Waiting For? We Are Here To Help You!
We understand that applying for a visa, to Australia is certainly very complex due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Especially for WHMs holders. Our visa specialists at ONE derland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have 98% success rate and one of the most recommended migration agencies in Australia. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We specialize in complex visa cases. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first leap and get in touch with us. Our migration agents are professional, honest and our team members are able to speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.