Australia Working Holiday Visa for Indians: A New Opportunity for Young Travelers

Would you like to work and travel in Australia? Then, the Working Holiday visa is for you. Starting on 16th September 2024, India joined the list of countries that are issued a Woking Holiday visa for Australia.  As the name suggests, the visa allows you to stay in Australia while undertaking work or short-term studies. You can apply for this visa if you are aged between 18 and 30. The Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians is valid for up to a year. This blog covers everything you need to know about the new Australia working holiday visa.

What is the Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians?

The Australian Working Holiday visa is for young adults wanting to go on an extended holiday and stay employed. The visa permits you to undertake the following activities:

• Take up short-term work to fund your holiday in Australia
• You can also choose to study for 4 months in Australia 
• You are allowed to travel to and from Australia without any restrictions
• Those who meet the eligibility criteria can even apply for a second/third working holiday visa.

A Working Holiday Visa is valid for up to 1 year. As mentioned above, if you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for a second and third working holiday visa. That is, you can stay in Australia for 3 years undertaking work or short-term study and enjoy a holiday!

Are Indians Eligible for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

Yes. Indians are eligible for a working holiday visa. Starting from 1 October 2024, eligible Indians can enter a visa ballot. You can be randomly selected for the visa. Selected applicants will be invited to apply for a first working holiday visa. Australia offers the 1st Working Holiday Visa for a total of 1000 Indians!

Types of Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indian 

There are three types of Working Holiday Visas for Indians. You will be issued a First Working Holiday Visa in the beginning, and only when you become eligible you can apply for a Second Working Holiday. Thereafter, when you meet the requirements you can apply for a Third Working Holiday Visa.

First Working Holiday Visa

The First Working Holiday Visa is given to applicants between 18 and 30. This is the initial visa you can apply for an extended holiday. You can undertake short-term work in Australia, and become eligible for a Second Working Holiday Visa.

Second Working Holiday Visa 

The Second Working Holiday Visa is available to applicants between 18 and 30. You must hold a  First Working Holiday visa to become eligible for this visa The visa permits you to undertake any type of work while you are in Australia, and even apply for a Third Working Holiday Visa.

Third Working Holiday Visa 

The Third Working Holiday Visa is available to applicants already holding a Second Working Holiday Visa. You must be between 18 and 30 to apply. You can take up any type of work while you are in Australia. This visa is also valid for a year.

Note: We have only explained in detail about the First Working Holiday Visa in this blog.

Learn about the Australia Work Visa: Types, Requirements & Cost

Eligibility Criteria for a Working Holiday Visa Australia 

To apply for a Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

• You must have an Indian passport 
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30 
• Moreover, you can only apply for a visa from outside Australia
• You must not have any dependent children 
• You’re not permitted to include your family members in your application
• You need to apply by yourself 
• Those who have already entered Australia with a Subclass 4117 visa or a Subclass 462 visa are excluded from this visa application
• As an Indian national, you must agree to participate in a visa pre-application process. The pre-application process is a ballot where applicants are randomly selected. You will get a First Working Holiday Visa like this.

Requirements for a Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indian

Certain documents need to be submitted for smooth application processing. These documents are provided below:

• An Indian passport with your current photograph personal details, passport dates and expiry dates. Those who have changed their name need to provide proof of the same. For example, a marriage certificate. 
• Provide proof of your educational qualifications
• Proof that you are proficient in the English language. For example, clear the IELTS/TOEFL examination. Otherwise, you can show proof that you have completed at least 5 years of secondary school education from an English medium institution.
• Proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay 
• Provide proof of character. That is a police clearance certificate from every country you have stayed for a year or more.
• Clear the health examinations (if applicable)
• You also need to nominate a person to receive your correspondence (Fill out Form 956A) and fill out Form 956A if you are receiving immigration assistance
• As an Indian citizen, you are not required to provide proof of government support 

Photograph Requirements

The photograph you submit must meet the Australian standards. That is,

• It must be a passport-size photograph
• Must be taken within the last 6 months 
• Must be of good quality and must be a color photograph
• Your full face, shoulders, and head must be visible 
• It must be taken against a plain light-coloured background
• Those who are wearing a head covering due to religious reasons are allowed to show only their face
• You are allowed to wear untinted prescription glasses, if applicable.

Entering the Pre-Visa Application Process 

Due to a high number of visa applications, Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese citizens have to undergo the pre-application process. This is a ballot where applicants are randomly selected. An annual ballot process is held in these countries. There are also annual grant caps. 

At present, 1000 Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians are available. Applications have been open from 1 October 2024. Those selected will be invited to apply for a First Working Holiday Visa. The ballot registration fee is around AUD25.

Ballot Selection Period for Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians

You can only register for the ballot during the ballot selection period. The current ballot selection period is provided below:

Country	Ballot Opening Date	Ballot Closing Date
India	14/10/2024	30/04/2025

Register for the Ballot 

First of all, you are required to register for the ballot. Visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs. Then, follow the instructions below:

• Register for a ballot under the option ‘New application’ in the Immi Account 
• Next, select the option ‘Registration -Work and Holiday Visa (462)’
• Fill out the registration form, and select the country of your passport 
• Complete the registration form and pay the registration fee. The ballot registration fee is AUD 25. 
• Verify your email address (if required), and review the application form and correct any errors
• After the application form has been submitted your status will change as ‘recieved’. This means that the Australian Government has received your application for registration.
• The ballot will be held and if you are selected you can apply for the First Working Holiday Visa.

Steps to Apply for a First Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians

Before applying for an Australian Working Holiday visa ensure that applications are still open for your country. Currently, Indians can apply for a ballot system/pre-visa application process. The application process for the Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians is provided below:

Gather Documents 

Gather the relevant documents, and ensure that you have provided accurate information. Please note, if you provide incorrect information your visa application will be rejected. You must also stay away from fraudulent activities.

Check If Your Country is Eligible for Online Application

Indian nationals can apply for a Working Holiday Visa Australia Online. Similarly, applicants from Singapore, the USA, Vietnam, Hungary, Argentina, Greece, etc can apply online. Ensure that you are not a parent of a child under 18 years of age. In such circumstances, you are ineligible to apply.

Complete the Working Holiday Visa Australia Application

Visit the Website of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. To start your online application for a Working Holiday Visa Australia for India log in to the ‘Immi Account’.  Create an account if you don’t have it already. Attach the relevant documents, and pay the visa fee.

Wait for the Application Outcome 

After you have paid the visa fees, you can consider your application to be complete. You can wait for the outcome of your application. The Australian government will inform you of the same after the processing time is complete. Those receiving a positive response to their application can travel to Australia.

To learn more about the Australia working holiday visa, watch this video:

Australia Working Holiday Visa Fees 

The fees for an Australian working holiday visa include the ballot fee and fee for the visa application process. Both are provided Below:

Particulars	Fee
Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indian Ballot Fee	AUD 25
First Working Holiday Visa Fee	AUD 650.00

How Much Money Do You Need for a Working Holiday Visa Australia?

To apply for a Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indian you need to meet the minimum financial requirements. The minimum bank balance needed for a Working Holiday Visa is provided below:

Visa Name	Minimum Bank Balance
Australia Working Holiday Visa	AUD5,000.

Apart from the minimum amount, you must have funds to buy an air ticket to leave Australia after your visa expires. You need to provide proof of the same.

Learn about the Cost of Living in Australia

Processing Time for an Australian Working Holiday Visa 

The processing time for a Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians is as follows. Note: the processing time provided below is as of 17th October 2024.

Visa	Processing Time (50% applications)	Processing Time (90% applications)
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)	Less than 1 day	37 days

Australian Working Holiday Visa Validity Period 

The Australian Working Holiday Visa validity period for Indians is as follows:

Visa	Visa Validity
Working Holiday Visa  (subclass 417)	1 Year

How Easy Is it to Get a Working Holiday Visa for Australia?

Indians, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants will have to enter a ballot. There are no specific selection criteria for the ballot. Therefore, you can be randomly selected to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia. The ballot system has been introduced due to a large number of applicants. Selection at this stage, is purely based on luck.

After you have been selected from the pre-application process/ballot system you can easily get the Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indians. Your application will only be rejected if you don’t meet the visa requirements. 

Nationals of all other countries eligible for a working holiday visa can easily get the visa if they meet the requirements.

Which Countries Offer Working Holiday Visa for Indian Citizens?

Australia is the only country that offers a Working Holiday Visa for Indians. This is a new visa introduced to assist Indian nationals wanting to travel to Australia and work. The Working Holiday Visa Australia is currently open for applications. The ballot is also open and will close the next year in April.

FAQs.

We hope you now understand all about te the Working Holiday Visa Australia for Indias. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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