The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program is one of the many visa options available for the Horticulture Sector.

The Australian Government continues to increase annual caps to a number of countries. AUSVEG will continue to update this list, as announcements are made.

 

Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program – consists of 2 streams –

  1. Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
  2. Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

The difference between the two visa streams is that the 462 visa has education requirements, while the 417 visa does not.

A 462 visa requires a letter of support from your government of origin (unless you are from the US), while 417 visa does not.

The 462 visa also requires evidence of functional English, while the 417 visa does not.

*Information on the education requirements can be found at – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462#Eligibility

 

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) –

Eligible countries –

  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom

 

Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

Eligible Countries –

  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Bangladesh
  • Chile
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Uruguay
  • USA
  • Vietnam

*Information on caps for each country can be found at – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/status-of-country-caps

 

In November 2018, the Australian Government announced changes to the WHM visa program which included:

  • Expanding the regional areas where subclass 462-visa holders can work in agriculture (plant and animal cultivation) to qualify for a second year of stay in Australia.
  • Increasing the period in which subclass 417 and 462 visa holders can stay with the same agricultural (plant and animal cultivation) employer, from 6 to 12 months.
  • The option of a third-year for subclass 417 and 462 visa holders who, after 1 July 2019, undertake 6-months of specified work in a specified regional area during their second year.
  • Offering an increase in the annual caps to a number of countries that participate in the subclass 462 visa program.
  • Increase the eligible age for subclass 417 visa applicants from Canada and Ireland to 35.

*More information on the changes can be found at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-subsite/Pages/2018-Nov/working%20holiday%20maker%20visa%20program.aspx