Changes to Australian Working Holiday visas announced

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Australia recently announced that a person who has previously been in Australia on a Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa can no longer apply for a Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa.

The W17 (Working Holiday) visa is the most common work visa in Australia for backpackers and the ideal option for travellers aged between 18 and 30 looking to work and travel in Australia.

The Work and Holiday Subclass 462 visa is available for young people aged 18 to 30 from Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and the US. This visa was introduced to encourage cultural exchange and foster stronger links between these countries and Australia.

However, legislation has now been introduced to prevent a person who has previously been in Australia on a Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa from applying for a Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa and vice versa.

The change in legislation applies to all applications made on or after 21st August 2010.