Applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted.
Online first Working Holiday visa applications can be lodged from anywhere outside Australia.
Paper first Working Holiday visa applications must also be lodged outside Australia.
Paper application
You must complete an application form. Form 1150 Application for a Working Holiday
Applicants can lodge a paper application by post for their first Working Holiday visa at any departmental office outside Australia.
Online application
When you start your online application, you will be asked a series of questions to determine whether or not you are eligible to continue. If the eVisa system indicates you are not eligible to apply online, you will need to apply by mail or in person.
Saving online applications
When using the online application system, eVisa, you can use the 'save' function to save the information you have entered into your online application. This function will create a unique number as well as give you the opportunity to give this saved application a password of your own choice. This will allow you to return to your saved application at a later stage.
Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
A Transaction Reference Number (TRN) is a unique number assigned to each successfully lodged online application. It is important that you record this number as it is used to:
Click
here to
check the progress of your online application
If you lodge a paper application, you need to contact the department to check on your application's status.
If my visa is granted?
If your visa is granted, you will receive a Notification of Grant letter via your nominated postal or email address. Please keep this letter as it contains:
Is there a visa label?
You do not require a visa label in your passport unless advised by the department in your visa grant notification letter. Your visa is linked electronically to the passport details provided in your visa application.
You can view your visa online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows you, and your employer or education provider, to view your visa details online. click here to view your visa details.
Note: It is advisable that you keep a copy of your visa grant notification with you when you travel.
If necessary, you can arrange to have a visa label placed in your passport at any departmental office in Australia.
If my visa is not granted?
If your visa is not granted, the department sends you a notification letter advising you of:
Your rights for a review of the decision differ, depending on whether you lodged your application in or outside Australia.
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If you lodged in Australia, the refusal letter advises you of your review rights and the time limit for lodging an appeal. If you lodged outside Australia, you have no right for a review of the decision.
- If you lodged outside Australia, you have no right for a review of the decision.
How to activate your Working Holiday visa?
If you applied for your Working Holiday visa outside Australia, your 12 month stay period starts when you enter Australia.
To have your Working Holiday visa cancelled, contact the Working Holiday visa processing centre. You may apply for another Working Holiday visa in the future but will need to pay another visa application charge.
How to extend your stay?
You must depart Australia when your visa ends, unless you apply for another type of visa to extend your stay. If your Working Holiday visa ends and you have not departed Australia or applied for another visa, you risk being detained and removed from Australia. You may also be subject to a period of exclusion from Australia.
A first Working Holiday visa cannot be extended beyond the 12 month validity period. However, if you have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia on your first Working Holiday visa, you may be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa.
There are other visa options lfor remaining temporarily or permanently in Australia at the end of your working holiday. However, your eligibility depends on your circumstances and intentions.
You can apply for a student visa.
Note: If you apply for a
Tourist visa while in Australia on a Working Holiday visa, it
can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as being unfit to travel. Once you leave Australia, you may be eligible to apply for an (ETA).