Australian Migration News

Changes to Australian Working Holiday visa for young parents

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has announced changes to the Australian Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas to take effect today, including regulations regarding young visa applicants with dependent children.

As of the 27 October 2008, new regulations for the Australian Working Holiday visa and the Work and Holiday visa will take effect. The Migration Regulations 1994 ('the regulations') have been changed so that more young people will now be eligible for travel to Australia.

The amendment means that visa applicants with dependent children may now be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday visa. The visa applicant must meet certain requirements, including not having dependent children accompany the visa holder during their stay in Australia. Prior to the amendments, 18 to 30 year old nationals from countries participating in the Australian Working Holiday visa programme were not eligible to take part in the scheme if they had dependent children.

The regulations will now clarify when the Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visas are in effect and an applicant can have a maximum of two Working Holiday visas in their lifetime.

Because of the changes to legislation, the Working Holiday visa form has changed. Only applications lodged on or after the 27 October 2008 will be subject to these changes.

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