Longer in Australia with a 2nd Working Holiday Visa

Australia has you hooked with its backpacking, the most beautiful beaches and landscapes, unique experiences, and all the travelers you have met. You feel very good here and are not thinking about going home for the time being. Fortunately, you don't have to either, because with a Second Working Holiday Visa (2nd WHV) you can travel and work in Australia for another year to extend this travel adventure.

Because Australia may just be the best country in the world where you can travel and earn a lot of money at the same time. Although a year of working abroad sounds like a long time, I know from my own experience that such a year passes quickly. And then it is very nice that you can be eligible for a Second Working Holiday Visa (2nd WHV). How and what you can read below.

It is also possible that after a year in Australia you want to go back to the Netherlands. Then you always have the option to go to Australia for a second year later.

For whom is the 2nd WHV?

As with the first Working Holiday Visa (1st WHV), there are certain conditions attached to both visas before you are eligible for them. As far as immigration is concerned, they are strict in Australia, so they also check whether you actually meet the conditions.

• Age remains a thing, even with a second WHV. You can apply for this from 18 to 30 years old. If you are not sure yet whether you want to go and you are almost 31 years old. Invest and apply for it. Then you have another year to make that decision.
• We Dutch are on the list of approved countries. If you come from another country, check this website of the Australian government: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ to see if your country is on the list.
• You can only apply for a 2nd WHV if you have had a 1st WHV (subclass 417 or 462) or you are currently traveling with it.
• In addition, it is important that you have worked at least 88 days of farm work (also known as regional work or specified work) during your first year in Australia on a WHV.

What is specified/farm work

Specified/Farm work in Australia is not work on a farm. It is a designation of a certain type of work that is required to apply for a 2nd WHV (or a 3rd WHV).

Examples of farm work:

• Work in the agricultural sector (e.g. fruit picking, on a farm)
• Fishing and pearling industry
• Construction
• Mining
• Tree nurseries and logging
• National parks
• Shops in remote places or islands
• Hospitality in remote places or islands

Important! Not all work within these branches counts. Check the official specified work list: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417 on the website of the Australian government. For example, think of milking cows for animal feed (counts!) or caring for cows on a petting zoo (unfortunately does not count).

Proof of your 88 days

Keep all your payslips! Since 2015, you must be able to show these and your bank statements when applying for your second WHV. Make sure your payslips contain all legally required information: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/paying-wages/pay-slips#what-pay-slip-should-have. Check the details on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Even better, put this directly into an Excel file, so that you have everything neatly ordered. And take photos of the payslips and save them in a Google Drive or Dropbox folder. There is a chance that you will lose these payslips or that they will become illegible. And that would be a great shame.

Because believe me, you don't want to go looking for these payslips through all the stuff you have collected. And find out that you are just missing one, which means you no longer meet those 88 days.

88 days calculated: Here's how it works

The 88 days of farm work are roughly equivalent to 3 months of work. How many hours a day you have to work depends on the branch in which you are going to work? The Australian government uses the following guidelines for the number of days:

• A minimum of 88 calendar days of work (roughly 3 months)

In both cases, you work the number of hours that is standard for a full-time position in your industry. Does your sector work 38 hours per week with 2 days off? Then you simply add up all the days worked. After 7 weeks you already have 49 days (7 x 7) on the counter!

Tip: Start farm work as soon as possible if you want a second WHV! This way you avoid suddenly needing a lot more time to reach the required days in case of unexpected dismissal. And if you put it off until the last minute, you have no more room for maneuver. Unfortunately, I have seen travelers go home because of this.

Working part-time?

Part-time is of course also possible, but then you don't have the advantage that your days off count. Every day worked counts as 1 day. So are you active 5 days a week and 2 days off? Then you officially work 35 days (7 x 5) instead of 49. In that case, it takes longer to earn the 88 days.

Check your salary

Unfortunately, underpayment still occurs in Australia. To counteract this, the government has introduced a minimum wage for WHV visas since 2016. This is really super important! Because if you do not comply with this, your second WHV is unfortunately impossible. So always check if you are being rewarded according to the rules for the work you do.

More info about wages:

• Fair Work Ombudsman: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
• Calculate minimum wage: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages
• Piece rates (e.g. fruit picking): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages

How to apply for a 2nd WHV

Applying for your 2nd WHV can be done in Australia itself, but it doesn't have to be. If you are applying while you are in Australia, do this before your current visa expires. And it is best to do this just before it expires to stay in Australia for the maximum time.

The government takes time to process your application. When you are in Australia, you will receive a temporary visa until your new visa is approved (granted) or not.

This is called a bridging visa here. With such a bridging visa you can simply stay in Australia until your application is approved. You can only make a short trip to New Zealand or another neighboring country with a Bridging Visa B, which you need to pay extra for (around A$180).

If you are applying from the Netherlands, you will have to wait until your visa is approved (granted). Once it is approved, it is valid for one year to enter the country. The moment you enter Australia, your visa starts and you can travel and work on a Second Working Holiday Visa.

Applying for a 2nd WHV

Applying for a WHV for Australia is not complicated. It's actually quite simple and quick to fix, as long as it's for your first year. Below I have explained it for you in a few steps.

1. Check the conditions

Make sure you meet all the conditions before you submit an application. In short: You must be between 18 and 30 years old, have done 88 days of farm work (with proof) and you are on a 1st WHV or have had one.

2. Apply Online

Go to the official Australian government website and fill out the application form for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417).

Make sure you have all the necessary documents ready, such as your passport and proof of your 88 days of specified work.

There are also companies that apply for the visa on your behalf, but you pay extra for this service. I don't think it's necessary, but if you prefer, I can recommend e-visums.nl, visum365.nl, or visumbuitenland.nl (which I personally prefer).

3. Payment

Applying for a second WHV costs A$635. In euros, that's about €350 to €400, depending on the exchange rate, of course. You can pay this directly when you apply.

4. Wait for Approval

Now you wait for the outcome of your second WHV application. Processing times can vary, but 50% of applications are processed within 1 day. 90% of second WHV applications receive a response within 22 days. When your application is processed, you'll receive an email stating that your application is "Granted" (approved) or "Not Granted" (not approved). With an approved visa, nothing stands in your way of extending or starting your adventure!

Bridging Visa

Keep in mind that while you are waiting for the visa and you are in Australia, you will be on a temporary visa (Bridging Visa A) once your current WHV expires. You don't have to leave the country then. However, with a Bridging Visa A, you cannot leave Australia and re-enter on the same bridging visa.

Ready for Your Second WHV Adventure?

Now you know how the 88 days of specified work operate and that you should start as soon as possible. Don't forget to check if your job is on the eligible list. Most importantly, enjoy all the experiences you have in Australia!

More Backpacking Inspiration?

Check out the page about Australia for routes, tips & tricks, and experiences.