Starting on 21 September 2015, young Chinese nationals will be able to apply for the Work and Holiday (462) visas and Working Holiday (417) visas to Australia as part of improved visa facilities under the recently concluded China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). This is the first stage where 1,500 places in the Working and Holiday Visa program are going to be open for application, with more places to be released in further stages until the programme reaches its annual cap of 5,000 places.
To apply for this visa, applicants must take note of the following:
- Hold a valid passport issues by the People's Republic of China
- Age 18-30 at the time of lodging the application
- Will not be with a dependent child while you are in Australia
- Have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000)
- Have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay
- Have not previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- Meet the educational requirements – usually completing a tertiary qualification
- Have functional English
- Meet character and health requirements
- Holders of Chinese passports are not required to provide evidence of Government support for the grant of the visa
- Chinese applications cannot be lodged by post, and instead must be made by appointment and in person at one of the three addresses provided in either Beijing, Guangzhou or Shanghai
So take advantage of this unique Australian visa that will allow you to visit and work in Australia at the same time! The limited places mean that not everyone in the populous country will be able to obtain this visa so act now and apply! Check with Work Visa Lawyers for your eligibility before applying.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The Work and Holiday visa programme is a great platform for overseas visitors to experience living in Australia for an extended period of time (up to 12 months). The ability to work also means that visa holders can experience the Australian work culture and meet potential employers who might be willing to offer a permanent position if the visa holder impresses. The wages from work done will also allow travellers to see more of Australia during the 12 months of stay.
A word of caution though is that Work and Holiday visa holders need to be aware of employment laws and regulations in Australia so that they are not abused in any way. A good source for that information is FairWork.gov.au and I recommend that all Work and Holiday visa holders refer to the website to understand the employment conditions in Australia.
This information is accurate on 18 September 2015
Sources:
- https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01437/Explanatory%20Statement/Text
- http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-
- http://english.cri.cn/12394/2015/07/02/3742s885455.htm
- http://www.fairwork.gov.au/
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091
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