Second Working Holiday Visa

This article is for those who currently hold or previously held the First or Second Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462) and want to extend their stay in Australia.

Requirements

You must currently hold or have held First Year WHV, between ages 18-31 and completed 3 months of Specified Work in a Regional Area.

Farm Work

You may apply for Second Year WHV if you have completed your Specified Work (also known as Farm Work) in a Regional Area.

Application Process

You can apply for the Second or Third Year WHV either online or via hard copy.  Check out the full process down below.

What is Working Holiday Visa?

Depending on which country you are from, you may be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462) to live and work in Australia. The Working Holiday Visa (“WHV”) permits you to live and work in Australia for 12 months, with the possibility of extending your stay up to two more times, giving you a total of three years in Australia under the Working Holiday Visa stream.

If you’re over 18 years of age and under 31 years of age (or under 36 for citizens of Canada, France, Ireland), are interested in living and working in Australia and you meet certain eligibility criteria, you should be familiar with all of the requirements and conditions of this subclass, so that you can plan your work in Australia to maximize your time here.

If you do not yet have your First Working Holiday Visa, please click the link below.

Eligibility Requirements

Be over 18 years of age and under 31 years of age (or under 36 years of age if from Canada, Ireland, or France) at the time of application

Currently hold or have previously held the First Year Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462);

Complete 3 months (the equivalent of 88 calendar days) of “Specified Work” in a Regional Area before your First Year Working Holiday Visa expires.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

You can apply from inside or outside Australia. But if you apply from inside Australia, you must be inside Australia when your visa is granted.

You cannot be accompanied by any dependent children.

You have complied with all the conditions on your first Working Holiday visa

You have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay

You need to meet other eligibility criteria, such as: education requirements, English language requirements, health and character requirements, and financial requirements.

Specified Work (Farm Work)

We’ve put together a list of requirements with detailed information, but if you have any questions or concerns then don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is Specified Work?

To complete Specified Work, commonly called Farm Work, you must be paid the correct legal wage while working in a specified industry and your primary role must fall under certain activities

The industry, type of work and the location of the work will depend on whether you are on a subclass 417 or 462 WHV.

How much work do I need to undertake?

Depending on whether you hold/held the subclass 417 or the 462 WHV, you will need to have completed

  • 3 months (or 88 calendar days) for Second Year WHV
  • 6 months (or 179 calendar days) for Third Year WHV

You must provide evidence that you have completed your Specified Work hours. The hours and days of work are what is considered a normal working day within the specific industry. Similarly, if you are on a piece agreement, the days you worked would be based on industry standards.

Work can be in one block with one business, or in separate blocks with one business or a number of businesses. Blocks of work may be in different kinds of specified work.

Tips For Seeking Work

Speak with the employer

Speak with the employer about your expected work hours/days/piece work, and pay rates before accepting employment and get this in writing.

Check if work qualifies as Specified Work

Ensure the type of work and the location of work will qualify as Specified Work

Keep the paperwork

Keep your pay slips, tax returns, bank statements showing wages earned, employer contact details, payment summaries, employer reference letters, and any contracts of employment (such as piece-rate agreements). You may also be required to submit an Employment Verification Form. It’s a good idea to print this in advance and keep record of it throughout your work period.

Begin as soon as possible

Give yourself ample time to complete the required duration (begin as soon as possible)

Specified Work for 417 WHV Holders

For Subclass 417 WHV Visa Holders, to be eligible for the Second Year WHV, you must have completed three months of Specified Work in the following industries, primarily performing prescribed activities in certain locations, while holding your First Year WHV:

E

Plant and Animal Cultivation

E

Fishing and Pearling

E

Tree Farming and Felling

E

Mining

E

Construction

Plant and Animal Cultivation

  • the harvesting and/or packing of fruit and vegetable crops
  • pruning and trimming vines and trees
  • general maintenance crop work
  • cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts
  • immediate processing of plant products
  • maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce, including natural increase
  • immediate processing of animal products including shearing, butchery, packing and tanning
  • manufacturing dairy produce from raw material

Fishing and Pearling

  • conducting operations relating directly to taking or catching fish and other aquatic species
  • conducting operations relating directly to taking or culturing pearls or pearl shell

Tree Farming and Felling

  • planting or tending trees in a plantation or forest that are intended to be felled
  • felling trees in a plantation or forest
  • transporting trees or parts of trees that were felled in a plantation or forest to the place where they are to be milled

Mining

  • coal mining
  • oil and gas extraction
  • metal ore mining
  • construction material mining
  • non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying exploration
  • mining support services

Construction

  • residential building construction
  • non-residential building construction
  • heavy and civil engineering construction
  • land development and site preparation services
  • building structure services
  • building installation services
  • building completion services
  • other construction services

Specified Work for 462 WHV Holders

For Subclass 462 WHV Visa Holders, to be eligible for the Second Year WHV, you must have completed three months of Specified Work in the following industries, primarily performing prescribed activities in certain locations, while holding your First Year WHV, and completed after 18 November 2016:

E

Plant and Animal Cultivation

E

Fishing and Pearling

E

Tree Farming and Felling

E

Tourism and Hospitality

Plant and Animal Cultivation

  • the harvesting and/or packing of fruit and vegetable crops
  • pruning and trimming vines and trees
  • general maintenance crop work
  • cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts
  • immediate processing of plant products
  • maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce, including natural increase
  • immediate processing of animal products including shearing, butchery, packing and tanning
  • manufacturing dairy produce from raw material

Fishing and Pearling

  • conducting operations relating directly to taking or catching fish and other aquatic species
  • conducting operations relating directly to taking or culturing pearls or pearl shell

Tree Farming and Felling

  • planting or tending trees in a plantation or forest that are intended to be felled
  • felling trees in a plantation or forest
  • transporting trees or parts of trees that were felled in a plantation or forest to the place where they are to be milled

Tourism and Hospitality

  • work in a range of positions where the primary purpose is to directly provide a service to tourists, including tourist guides and operators, outdoor adventure or activity instructors, tourist transport services
  • gallery or museum managers, curators or guides
  • hospitality workers, including a range of positions in hotels or other accommodation facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars and casinos
  • conference and event organisers

Applying for the Second or Third Year WHV

If you meet the criteria, then you can apply for second or third year Working Holiday Visa

Tips for Planning Ahead

If you are on your First Working Holiday Visa and know you will want to eventually apply for the Third Working Holiday Visa after your Second Year, you may be able to begin accruing working days towards your Third Year requirements.

As soon as you apply for your Second Working Holiday Visa and once your First Working Holiday Visa expires, you may begin working towards your six months of required Specified Work, even before your Second Working Holiday Visa is approved.

Where Do I Apply?

You can apply for the Second or Third Year WHV either online or via hard copy. 

To check visa conditions such as the progress of your visa application you can check through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. You will need to have your Transaction Reference Number available or the password for your application. If your visa is refused you will receive a letter from the DIBP advising you and your rights to appeal.

If you would like to learn more about the WHV and how you can extend your time in Australia, Book a Consultation with one of our experienced Migration Agents.

Possible Timeline

First Year Working Holiday Visa Granted/Enter Australia to Activate

Complete 3 months of Specified Work under First WHV

Apply for Second Year WHV

Once your First Year WHV expires, you can begin undertaking the 6 months of specified work on the Bridging Visa, even if your Second Year WHV has not yet been granted.

Complete 6 months of Specified Work while on a Bridging Visa and/or during your Second Year WHV

Apply for Third Year WHV

GET IN TOUCH

In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.

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Working Holiday Visa Extension was last modified: January 21st, 2023 by PTA