Frequently Asked Questions -Working Holidays and Migration

1. What age do I have to be to apply for the Working Holiday Visa?
   A. You must be 18 and not yet turned 31 at the time of application. It doesn't matter if you turn 31 during processing. You must also have no dependent children and have not previously held a working holiday visa.
2. Will I be asked to show "Proof of funds?"
   A. In very rare cases, yes. You are allowed to come to Australia on a one-way ticket. If you do, and are staying for more than 6-months you may be asked to show evidence of up to $5,000 in addition to funds for return travel. The government has to be satisfied that - if on a one-way ticket - Working Holiday Makers have enough money for a fare to an onward destination, a reasonable prospect of getting a job, and enough money to support themselves while they look for work. thus earning enough to support themselves for the duration of their stay.
3. How long does it take for confirmation that my visa has been approved?
   A. For an Internet application you should receive an answer within by email within 48-hours, but if your case is "referred" meaning they are taking a closer look, it could take up to 4-weeks. There are also peak periods of applications; this can also cause delays.
4. How soon after the grant of my visa must I enter Australia?
   A. You must enter Australia within 12-months of the visa being granted.
5. How long is the visa valid for?
   A. 12-months from the date of first entry. You can leave and enter Australia on multiple occasions during this period. You cannot "top up" your visa with time spent out of Australia.
6. What type of work can I undertake?
   A. Generally anything, there are few restrictions.
7. How long can I work in one job for?
   A. You cannot work for more than 6-months with any one employer. This also applies to working in different branches of the same employers business. If you do breach this condition your visa could be cancelled and you could be banned from re-entering Australia for 3-years. Click here if you need Immigration Assistance
8. How much does the visa cost?
   A. $185 Australian dollars; £80 British Pounds; €120 Euros; $170 Canadian Dollars. Companies who apply on your behalf will charge a service fee on top of this.
9. Can I apply for the working holiday visa in Australia?
   A. No, all applicants must be outside Australia at the time of application. People from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, RO Ireland, Estonia, Sweden, and the UK can apply anywhere outside of Australia and their home country. Those from Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Malta, Taiwan, and RO Cyprus must apply in the country of their passport. You can apply for the 2nd-year visa in or outside of Australia.
10. What sort of work can I expect in Australia?
    A. Australia has a very healthy jobs market in hospitality e.g. bar and restaurant work, and resort work; temporary office and administration work, and retail. There is also a shortage of harvest and fruit picking workers. Don't expect to get a career type job as this is not the purpose of the Working Holiday Visa.
11. Is it true that I can apply for a 2nd year on my Working Holiday Visa?
    A. Yes, but only if you can prove you have worked for a minimum of three-months in a area designated by the government to be regional for the purpose of harvest or fruit picking work. Its called SEASONAL WORK and is defined as follows: Seasonal work is defined as: picking fruit, nuts and other crops, pruning and trimming vines and trees, general maintenance crop work and other work associated with packing or processing the harvest. If you satisfy these requirements you can apply for a 2nd year visa from inside or outside of Australia. The government chooses the designated areas and these are as follows: Regional Australia includes anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the ACT.  You can apply for the 2nd-year visa inside or outside of Australia. Click here for more detailed information on the 2nd year visa
12. Am I eligible for a tax refund?
    Yes, most likely; however, your eligibility and the size of your refund will depend on a few things, the most important of which is your Australian tax residency status. Working out if you are a resident or not can be confusing. It is therefore a good idea to contact the Australian Tax Office also know as the ATO. If you cannot find what you are looking for there contact a registered tax agent such as our partner company -SUPER RETURN - who can provide professional advice.
    12.1: What is superannuation?
    Superannuation is the amount set aside for your retirement. This is equivalent to pension or social security payments in other countries. Your employer must add 9% to your gross salary or wages and contribute this amount to a superannuation fund on your behalf. Australians cannot claim this money until they are 55 years old. You most likely will not be here when you are 55 years old so the Australian government want you to have this money back. How do you get your money back? Firstly:
    1. You must have left Australia permanently, and;
    2. Your Working Holiday Visa has expired; but before you leave Australia -
    contact SUPER RETURN and they will assist you to get your money back.
    Your refund will be subject to Australian government tax of 30% before you get your hands on it.
13. Can I apply for another type of visa, such as a student visa, when I'm in Australia?
    A. Yes, but only if you meet the strict application criteria. This also applies to sponsorship, and permanent residency. Click here for Immigration Assistance
14. How does the 24/7 emergency service work?
    A. It's a local emergency backup service. If anything serious goes wrong call us and we will do our very best to help you through the situation. You will get the emergency number when you book.
15. Will the SIM card work in my mobile phone?
    A. Your phone must not be SIM locked. Check this with your local phone company. In nearly all cases it will work. If it doesn't we will refund the cost of the SIM card to you. Don't forget we can send you your number prior to arrival in Australia. If you need a phone we can easily supply this.
16. So the first $30.00 worth of calls are free with my SIM card?
    A. Yes, and recharging is very simple. This includes SMS at 25 cents per message to anywhere in the world.
17. How does job search and assistance work?
    A. We have our own network of employers we use, and we network with other agencies to ensure maximum jobs coverage. Read about getting a job in Australia
18. What is the Nomads discount card?
    A. Nomads is Australia's most useful discount card. Nomads offers discounts at over 500 hostels listed across 26 countries, Nomads also offers discounts on all forms of transportation such as Oz Experience, on entertainment, and at selected retail venues. Discounts apply in Australia and New Zealand. The Nomads card is also Australia's best phone-calling-card with rates as low as 2.9 cents per-minute back to the UK. The card comes complete with a 125-page discount guide to Australia and New Zealand.
19. Is it true bank transaction fees are high in Australia?
    A. Compared to the most countries-yes. The account we have chosen is the lowest-fee transaction account available. The bank is the ANZ and they have a huge branch network all over Australia and New Zealand. Citibank on the other hand has no branches. You can open the account before leave and choose to transfer / not transfer money. Transferring money is easy and cheap and removes the risk of carrying travellers cheques or cash. Check with your local bank as to how much they charge to use foreign ATM machines.
20. Is it hard to find apartments or rooms to share?
    A. Not if you know where to look, and what to look out for. We will help you with this, and ensure you aren't cheated by greedy landlords.
21. What about Travel services?
    A. Study Work and Travel has partnered with Australia's best budget travel agency. We ensure that you are always getting the best value for money products in the market. Quality is assured.
22. Are medical services expensive in Australia; can I enroll in the National Health system?
    A.Medical services are expensive in Australia, which means travel insurance is a must. Some countries receive basic health care for free in Australia. These countries are as follows:
    • Republic of Ireland: Free treatment as an in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital and access to subsidised medicines. This means medical treatment that is immediately necessary only.
    • United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Malta and Italy: limited subsidised immediately necessary treatment while visiting Australia. Maltese and Italian visitors are covered for 6-months; everyone else is covered for the duration of their stay. Free treatment as an in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital and access to subsidised medicines
23. Skilled Migration: Do I have to use a licensed Migration Agent?
    A. No you don't, but we strongly recommend you do use an agent that is licensed by the Migration Agents Registration Authority of Australia. This offers you a level of protection and assurance. Agents working outside of Australia can be licensed, but they don't have to be. You can check the Register of Agents here www.themara.com.au
24. Why use an agent?
    A. Migration Agents are required to always be up to date with the latest migration law changes and regulations, they are required to carry insurance to protect you against malpractice; if they make a mistake you have an official channel to make complaints against them. But most importantly a good Migration Agent will offer you a full service that will see them managing the entire application process from start to finish. Agents are required to set out exactly what they will do for you and how much it will cost so you can be sure there are no hidden fees or traps to get more money from you.

Study Work and Travel will assist clients to enroll and claim back any medical entitlements.