I work in a critical sector for COVID-19 (Agriculture, Food processing, Health care, Aged care, Disability care or Child care)
Working Holiday Maker visas cannot be extended. However, if you have completed three or six months of specified work in Australia, you may be able to apply for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa.
The Australian Government has introduced new measures in response to COVID-19. Working holiday makers who are employed in critical sectors including agriculture, health, aged and disability care and childcare will be exempt from the six month work limitation with one employer.
Working holiday makers employed in critical sectors who haven’t completed the 3 or 6 months of specified work required to apply for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa, and are unable to return to their home country can apply for COVID-19 pandemic Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Agreement Event (AGEE) stream visa and will not incur a visa application charge. This visa will allow you to remain lawfully in Australia, and continue working, should you wish to do so, until it is safe and practicable for you to return to your home country.
To be granted a new visa, you must meet the requirements for that visa, including any age limits, English language, health and character requirements.
Visa condition 8547 — six month work limitation with one employer
Working Holiday Makers can do any kind of work during their stay in Australia, but this is generally limited to six months’ work with any one employer, unless the Department has given permission to work with the same employer for longer than six months.
Working Holiday Makers working in critical sectors, like health, aged care or agriculture have permission from the Department to work for the same employer for longer than six months, on the grounds of exceptional, unforeseen circumstances.
Other situations where Working Holiday Makers have permission from the Department to work for the same employer for longer than six months, include where the work is:
- in different locations and work in any one location does not exceed six months
- in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
- in certain industries in northern Australia only
- assisting bushfire recovery efforts.
In any other circumstance, you need to request permission to work with the same employer for longer than 6 months.