Significant Changes To Australias Popular Working Holiday Maker Visa Came Into Effect On 1 July 2006. The Changes Give Holiday Makers The Opportunity To Work And Study For Longer In Australia And The Chance To Extend Their Visa For Another Year By Offering An Increased Selection Of Seasonal Jobs In Regional Areas.Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa Applications Are Now Subject To The Following Changes:increased Work Rights; The Ability To Work For Any One Employer For 6 Months, Rather Than The 3 Previously Allowedincreased Stuffy Rights; The Ability To Study For 4 Months, Rather The 3 Previously Allowedincreased Selection Of Seasonal Jobs In Regional Areas; Leading To A Second Working Holiday Visa Of An Additional 12 MonthsAlthough The Primary Group Of Applicants For This Visa Are Young Gap Year Students, University Students And Backpackers, In The Last 12 Months Or So Weve Seen A Significant Increase In The Number Of Young Professionals Taking Career Breaks, Said Oonagh Baerveldt, Spokesperson Australian Visa Bureau. They Are Frustrated Or Feeling Burnt Out And Want To Take A Year Out. The WHM Visa Is A Good Solution Because You Dont Need To Dip Into Your Savings To Travel You Work To Travel.The Ability To Work In The Same Job For 6 Months Means Travellers Can Choose To Be Transient Or Settled Whereas Before They Were Looking For A New Job Every 3 Months, Said Baerveldt. This New And Improved Visa Is Ideal For Travellers Who Are Looking For A Careers Change And Want To Spend Some Time Studying And Some Time Gaining Practical Experience.Were Expecting A Considerable Spike In The Number Of WHM Visa Applications We Receive Over The Next Two Weeks. Since These Changes Were Announced Its Been Relatively Quiet And Weve Even Held Back Applications On Request That They Only Be Lodged On Or After 1 July, Said Baerveldt.Anyone Interested In Taking A Year Or Two Out In Australia Under The Working Holiday Maker Visa Program Should Visit Our Website And Complete The WHM Online Assessment To Make Sure They Meet All Of The Requirements, Said Baerveldt.Australian Working Holiday Maker Visas Are Available To Passport Holders From 11 Different Countries, Including The United Kingdome And Ireland. Visa Applicants Must Be Between The Ages Of 18-30 (inclusive), Have No Dependent Children And Must Be Able To Support Themselves Financially For The Duration Of Their Trip To Australia.The Australian Government Issued 93, 760 Working Holiday Visas In 20034; Of Those 47, 321 Were To UK And Irish Nationals.
