If you are under 30, and hold an Australian passport, you have the chance to literally work your way around the world, or at least spend up to a year in a country, really exploring it properly and funding your travels with casual work. The way to do it is by using the great Working Holiday Maker Visa Program - there are now 23 countries to choose from.
The WHM visa program was set up to foster cultural exchange between countries by allowing young people to take temporary work to supplement their travelling. It’s not meant to be a career move so most of the participants have restrictions on the visas. The grid below is a good starting point for information on the 23 countries now offering these visas. But it is very important that you seek more information from the relevant embassy/consulate before making any travel bookings or other travel commitments.
The information below is regularly updated, however note that visa conditions can change from year to year. It is very important to contact the relevant embassies before making travel arrangements.
There are two types of visas available; the ‘Working Holiday Visa’, and the ‘Work and Holiday Visa’
‘Working Holiday Visa’ are available to Australians hoping to work in one of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom..
The ‘Work and Holiday Visa’ is available to tertiary-educated people hoping to work in Chile, Turkey and Thailand for up to 12 months. To attain this visa, Australian applicants must obtain a letter of Australian Government support. These countries have an annual limit of 100 Work and Holiday Visas for Australian residents. The US also now has a Work and Holiday Visa - see below - but it has slightly different requirements.
Standard requirements across both programs include: holding an Australian passport, having no criminal convictions, usually having no dependents accompanying your application and not having previously been granted a WHM visa. Some countries (e.g. France and Italy) require that you also get a Temporary Work Permit or similar once you are in the country and find a job. Three countries currently have quotas on the number of visas issued each year – Hong Kong (1000) , Italy (1500) and France (500). From January 2008 Canada no longer has a quota.
YHA Travel offers Working Holiday Maker packages to the UK and Canada. Combine them with long-stay, great value Working Holiday Maker airfares - contact your nearest branch of YHA Travel.
US Options
America and Australia have entered into a Work and Holiday Visa arrangement. This new visa arrangement (announced on 5 September, 2007) allows Australians to work in the US for any one employer for up to 12 months. To be eligible for this visa you must be currently enrolled in a post secondary course or have graduated from a post secondary course in the last 12 months. You also need to be sponsored by a registered organisation. The Australia/United States of America Work and Holiday Visa came into effect on 31 October, 2007 and 6 organisations have been initially approved to operated the program. For more information download the pdf on the State Department website.
If you don't fit the criteria or you're eager to go now, there are three other visas available - the J-1, the H-2B and the E-3 - that allow Australians to work in the USA.
To apply for a J-1 Visa you need to be a currently enrolled, full-time tertiary student between 18 and 29 years of age. Recent changes mean that full-time students enrolled in their final year are also eligible. The J-1 Visa allows you to work for a few months and travel for one month.
H-2B Visas are for people (over 18) who can commit to at least four months in the US and have had past work experience in a field related to the job for which they are applying.
A number of companies run working holiday programs in the US and can help you apply for the J-1 Visa or H-2B Visa. Companies to contact include IEP, Camp Counsellors USA, Camp America and Overseas Working Holidays
There is also an E-3 visa whereby Australians can travel to work in the US in a business or professional capacity. There’s more information on the US Embassy website.
| View the Visa requirements for: | ||||
| > Belgium | > Canada | > Chile | > Cyprus | > Denmark |
| > Estonia | > Finland | > France | > Germany | > Hong Kong |
| > Ireland | > Italy | > Japan | > Korea | > Malta |
| > Norway | > Sweden | > Taiwan | > Thailand | > The Netherlands |
| > Turkey | > UK | > USA | ||
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| Belgium | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months | Return ticket or funds to buy one; minimum €2,500 to fund trip; medical cert from affliated doctor; documentary evidence of good character (National Police Clearance Name Check). |
4-6 weeks | €90 |
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| Further Info | Ph: (02) 6273 2501 |
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| Canada | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 2 years and renewal for further 2 years. | Show on arrival evidence of access to approx. $4,000. Must do online admissibility survey before applying. |
2-6 weeks | $165 |
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| Further Info | Phone information line: (02) 9364 3082, Monday - Thursday 9:30AM-11:00AM EST. Closed public holidays. |
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| Website | www.canada.org.au (general information) |
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| Chile | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months (limited to 6 months work) | Must have a higher level degree or entering third year of higher education. Return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one. Evidence of sufficient funds for initial period in Chile. Health certificate. Medical insurance. DIMIA certificate stating applicant fulfills eligibility requirements - email: globalprocesing.act@immi.gov.au Applicants subject to personal interview by Consul in state of application. Must have letter of support from DIMIA. |
N/A | $204 |
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| Further Info | Applications must be sent to your nearest Chilean Consulate - see Embassy website. |
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| Cyprus | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 3 months (extendable to 1 year when in Cyprus) | Marital status - must be single. |
Allow 1 month | $31.30 |
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| Further Info | (02) 6281 0832 or (02) 6281 0834 |
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| Website | www.visitcyprus.org.cy (general tourist information site) or www.cyprus.gov.cy |
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| Denmark | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 1 year (work only allowed for 6 months, maximum of 3 months with one employer). | Return or onward ticket. Evidence of $4,500-6,000 (bank statements). |
6-8 weeks | $154 |
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| Website | Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs WHMN information Applications via the STA Travel website – www.statravel.com.au www.workindenmark.dk (has good general information about working in Denmark) |
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| Estonia | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 12 months | Return ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase one. Evidence of intial funds to support yourself. Apply to any Estonian Embassy - there is no embassy in Australia, find them online at www.mfa.ee |
30 days | € 80 |
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| Further Info | Estonian Consul General, Sydney: (02) 9810 7468. Open Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 1pm. Please ring to make an appointment. |
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| Website | The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has more information about applying for your visa |
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| Finland | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months (limited to 9 months work - maximum 3 months per employer). | Need a return ticket, or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase a ticket. Might be required on entry to show evidence of $3,000 in available funds. |
1 week | €200 |
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| Further Info | Consulate of Finland, Sydney (02) 9327 7904 |
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| Website | www.finland.org.au (Embassy site) |
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| Hong Kong | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 12 months (not work for one employer for more than 3 months). | Return air ticket or proof of means to purchase one. Evidence of sufficient funds (approx. $5,000). Annual Quota: 1000 |
Approx. 2 weeks | HK$135 |
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| Further Info | Phone: NSW: (02) 8595 8002. Vic: (03) 9804 3683. QLD: (07) 3210 6509 WA: (08) 9222 0300. Monday to Friday 9am - 12 noon |
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| Website | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Immigration Dept. website with detailed information section and application forms |
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| Japan | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 6 months granted on entry, which may be extended for another six months. | Return travel ticket. Evidence of reasonable funds for initial period of stay (approx. $2,500) eg. Bank statements or travellers cheques. Must apply in person at consul in state of residence only. May be interviewed. |
3 weeks | Free |
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| Further Info | Phone: NSW/NT: (02) 9231 3455 QLD: (07) 3221 5188 VIC/SA/TAS: (03) 9639 3244 |
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| Website | Embassy of Japan (useful local embassy site) Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (non profit association in Japan that helps WHM’s – lots of good information) |
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| Single entry visa only. Work type restrictions. | ||||
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| Korea | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 12 months | Return ticket and evidence of approx. $6,000 (bank statement or travellers cheques). Touring schedule. |
approx 1 week | KRW60,000 (approx $72) |
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| Further Info | Phone: ACT: (02) 6270 4100 NSW: (02) 9210 0200 |
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| Website | Embassy of the Republic of Korea (visa application form) Korea Working Holidays (working holiday info. site) |
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| Malta | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-25 (can be extended to 30) | 12 months (from date of issue) | Return ticket. Evidence of sufficient funds - minimum $4,500. Police clearance certificate. |
At least 6 weeks | $60 |
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| Further Info | Phone: NSW: (02) 9233 6755 VIC: (03) 9670 8427 |
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| Website | The Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has visa information |
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| Sweden | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months | Return ticket (or enough money to buy one); Evidence of sufficient funds (at least 3000 AUD). |
8-10 weeks | approx $180 (1000 Swedish kroner) |
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| Further Info | Phone: (02) 6270 2700 |
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| Website | Embassy of Sweden in Canberra The Swedish Migration Board has information on migration and visas |
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| Taiwan | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 | 12 months | Return ticket (or enough money to buy one) and sufficient funds for initial period of stay (approx $3,500). Travel insurance. |
Several days | $122 |
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| Further Info | Phone: NSW: (02) 9223 3233 QLD: (07) 3010 9336 VIC/SA/TAS: (03) 9650 8611 ACT/WA/NT: (02) 6120 2025 |
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| Website | Taipei Economic and Cultural Office site with WHP info |
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| Thailand | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months (but not work for one employer for more than 3 months). | Must have tertiary qualifications. Return ticket. At least $5000. Health insurance and evidence of good health including chest Xray. Must have letter of support from Australian government |
approx 2 weeks | $225 |
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| Further Info | Phone: ACT: (02) 6273 1149 Embassy NSW: (02) 9247 8312 Consulate-General, Sydney. Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 3pm. |
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| Website | Thailand Consulate in Sydney with WHM vsa information |
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| The Netherlands | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months | Return air ticket or finances to buy one. Show evidence of minimum $3,000 for support. |
2-3 weeks | Free for first 90 days (but will need to apply for temporary residence permit on arrival costing € 30) to stay longer |
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| Further Info | Phone: (02) 6220 9400 |
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| Website | The Netherlands website includes more information on working holidays |
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| Turkey | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| 18-30 inclusive | 12 months | Must have graduated from university or have succesfully completed up to at least the second year of university. Travel insurance. No history of deportation from Turkey. Upon arrival, you will need to apply for a “residence permit”. |
4-6 weeks | $170 |
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| Further Info | Phone: Embassy, ACT: (02) 6234 0000 Consulate, NSW: (02) 9328 1155 VIC: (03) 9696 6046 |
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| Website | Turkish Consulate (online visa application) |
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| USA | ||||
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| Age Limit | Visa Length |
Requirement | Processing Time | Visa Cost |
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| None | 12 months (may work for any one employer for up to 12 months). | Work and Holiday Visa type. You need to provide evidence that you are enrolled in a post secondary course or have graduated from a post secondary course in the last 12 months. You must be sponsored by a registered organisation. Applicants can not be accompanied by dependents. You must meet character requirements. You must apply through an approved organisation - see US website info. |
Up to 4 months. | US$220. Plus sponsorship costs - sponsorship costs range between $314 – $2,190. |
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| Further Info | The Australia/United States of America Work and Holiday Visa came into effect on 31 October 2007. |
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| Website | Information available at the US Embassy, Canberra Information now available on US State Department website - see the pdf info sheet. |
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| This is a two year trial program | ||||