Effective from 19 November 2016, subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa holders will be eligible to apply for a second Work and Holiday visa if they have worked for at least 88 days or 3 months in the specified work. This specified work usually includes work in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, in regional areas. We do not have the details on what will constitute specified work for the 462 and will do further post on this when it becomes available.
The subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa is for young travellers aged 18 to 30 from the following countries:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Chile
- China, People's Republic of
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Malaysia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- USA
- Uruguay
Please be aware that the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa is different from the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa. With the changes introduced the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa will be on par with the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa which allows for visa holders to apply for a second visa to extend their stay in Australia.
The move will also be a boost to regional Australia tourism and employers who find it difficult to find help in the bush or the outback.
Sources:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2016L01696/Explanatory%20Statement/Text
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The change announced is a positive development for the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa, which has been in the shadows of the Working Holiday subclass 417 visa for a long time. The fact that this visa class is limited in numbers to the eligible countries makes this legislative change even more valuable to holders fortunate enough to obtain the visa.
While it is good to see the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) introduce changes to assist with the seasonal workforce requirements for northern Australia, it could be more beneficial if the criteria for a second Work and Holiday visa be extended to work done in other parts of Australia as well.
Another possible change that is in discussion at the moment is the increase of the upper age limit for both the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa and the Working Holiday subclass 417 visa from 30 to 35 years of age. Work Visa Lawyers will publish the updates as they become available. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get the latest news updates!
This information is accurate on 3 November 2016
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