The third Working Holiday Visa for Australia

You have had two Working Holiday Visa in Australia already and would like to stay even longer?

If you have done the right job in Australia, since July 2019 you can also apply for the Third Working Holiday Visa after your Second one. To qualify you must have worked for at least 179 days of specified work during your Second Working Holiday Visa in Australia.

What exactly the “Specified Work” is, we will explain further in the article. Everything you need to know, how to calculate your 179 days and what other potential problems you might encounter when extending your Second Working Holiday Visa.

Visa Application Guide: A step by step guide to apply for your Working Holiday Australia visa can be found here.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask us in the comments below this article. We wish you a lot of fun in Australia.

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Information on the current COVID-19 pandemic: application & delays

Update (1.7.2020) – Due to the Corona Pandemic, entry to Australia is currently not possible. Even with an already approved Working Holiday Visa you can't enter the country.

Nevertheless you can still apply for the Third Working Holiday in Australia. However, applications will only be processed if you are already in Australia. If you are outside of Australia the applications for the Third Working Holiday Visa are currently not processed.

I will be 31 soon: What should I do?
If you are approaching the maximum age for applying for your third working holiday visa, we recommend that you submit your application before you are 31 years old. It seems that all applications will be processed with a delay as soon as the situation allows it. The date of your visa application is crucial here. After approval you have one year to enter the country.

Important: The COVID-19 information can change at any time.

>>> You can find the latest Corona information for Australia here. <<<

Requirements for the third Working Holiday Australia Visa

General facts about the Third Working Holiday Visa Australia

The Third Working Holiday Visa is specially designed for young people who want to spend more than two years in Australia for a working holiday. The Third Working Holiday Visa allows you to enter Australia within 12 months after your application being approved, or to extend your stay in the country for another 12 months. This is the last extension for your Working Holiday Visa. After this you need to look for other visas if you want to stay in Australia.

a) Difference between Third Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417 and Subclass 462

With the Third Working Holiday Visa for Australia there are 2 different visas. The Third Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and the Third Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). The biggest difference is the country of origin.

• If you are British, apply for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417).
• As an American you apply for the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462).
• As a Canadian you apply for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417). You can even apply for this visa if you are 18-35 years old.

Tip: Explore visa options for working in Australia with the Visa Finder:
>>> Here you can find the Visa finder for Australia <<<

b) Requirements for the Third Working Holiday Visa Australia

With the Third Working Holiday Visa you are allowed to work and travel in Australia for one more year. You are not restricted to the same employer or location. The Third Working Holiday Visa for Australia is issued only once in a lifetime. Here you can find the basic requirements for the Working Holiday Visa in Australia:

• Age: 18-30 years
  The permitted age, which must not have been exceeded at the time of application. (Canadian, French and Irish citizens can be aged 18-35 when applying)
• British citizenship or citizenship of one of the other countries participating in the Visa programme.
• Valid passport: The passport should be valid for at least two more years when applying for the visa. When applying for a visa, a scan or photo of the passport must be uploaded.
• Financial funds 5000 AUD
  Proof of sufficient financial means must be submitted as a document when applying for a visa. A current bank statement of your current account is sufficient for this purpose.

Important: You must show the financial funds again when you enter the country. When you enter the country, you must then have a connecting flight or additional money for your onward flight. This is very rarely checked, but it is a condition for a troublefree entry.

• Not accompanied by dependent children
• You were previously in Australia on your second Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462)
• International Health Insurance
  Health insurance must be presented upon entry
  >>> Best Australia Travel Insurance for Backpacker <<<

• Credit card for the application fee of $ 485 AUD
  A credit card is required for the processing fee. You should definitely get a credit card for the trip. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

,,For 2022 we recommend Travel Credit Card from Revolut.
No Annual Fee, withdrawling cash abroad is free"

Find out more in the article:
Best Travel Credit Card for Working Holiday!

c) Additional requirements for the Third Working Holiday Visa Australia

In order to apply for your third Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you will need to have worked 179 days (6 months) of Specified Work. In the next section we will explain what exactly this “Specified Work” is and what you need to pay attention to.

What exactly is “Specified Work”

Specified Work covers a selection of specific jobs and areas within Australia. The purpose of this is to provide these areas with a special workforce to support the needs of the different industries in those specific regions. Generally said, the areas are rather off the beaten track of big cities and include mainly manufacturing industries like farms, fishing and mining. Details of the qualifying occupations and areas can be found in the next section.

List of the “Specified Work” industries

• Plant and animal breeding
• Fishing and pearl fishing
• Tree cultivation and felling
• Mining
• Construction work
• Specified work in areas affected by disasters (often called “Bushfire Recovery”)

Here you can find the current list of all qualifying jobs according to your Working Holiday Visa:

• Specified Work (Subclass 417)
• Specified Work (Subclass 462)

IMPORTANT: Please note that your work location must also be in the correct postcode area (next section). Otherwise the work will still not be counted for your “Specified Work” days.

Qualifying Postcodes

The possible areas for your “Specified Work” depend on whether you have a visa Subclass 417 or Subclass 462. To make it easier for you, we have linked both lists with all postcodes for “Specified Work” here.

• List of qualifying Postcodes „Subclass 417 Specified Work“ in Australia
• List of qualifying Postcodes „Subclass 462 Specified Work“ in Australia

How to calculate the 179 days “Specified Work”

Calculate days and hours (including “Piece Rate”)

To meet the specified six-month work requirement, you must complete the same number of normal work days or shifts as a full-time employee in that role and industry would normally work over a six-month period (179 calendar days). You can do this in the following ways, for example:

• Work five days a week for an uninterrupted period of six calendar months. This also applies if you work on the basis of a “piece rate” as long as the number of at least five days per week is met.
• Work less than five days per week over a period of more than six calendar months, including a “piece rate” agreement
• Work several short periods of work in any combination of full-time, part-time or “piece rate” work, amounting to five days per week over six calendar months.

What is the “piece rate”
The so-called “Piece Rate” is a contract in which you are paid according to your speed. In this case, you do not receive a fixed wage, but are paid according to your work speed. In this case, your employer must specify each day individually on your pay slip, so that you can count it for your 179 days.

Can I split my working days or change employer
You don't have to do your six months “Specified Work” all at once or with a single employer. Feel free to spread the work over the period of your stay in Australia. You can also work more than the required minimum of six months. However, all work within the second Working Holiday Visa will only count towards the application for the third Working Holiday Visa.

Count for a full-time (or casual/piece rate) job where you work at least 5 days a week
Do you work full-time or in another employment relationship and work at least as much as a full-time employee in the same industry? Then you can count your 2 days off per week for a 5 day work. So in this case one week counts as 7 days for your specified work days.

In order to be able to apply this rule, it is important to consider the respective industry. For example, if you work in mining and a normal shift operation provides 2 weeks of work and 2 weeks of free time, you can even count the complete 2 weeks of free time to your 179 days as well.

Details about the respective industry and the usual times that are worked there can be found in the respective award of the industry.

Example 1: 6 months full-time work without break
Sven works full-time from December 1 to May 29th (6 months) for a construction company in rural Victoria as a construction worker, a total of 179 calendar days. Sven works five days a week (Monday to Friday) during this entire period and receives the correct legal wage.

Completed: Sven has met the mandatory six-month work requirement.

Example 2: Working two days a week
Melissa works in her second working holiday year from February 1 to July 29th (6 months) two days a week in a winery where she tends the vines and picks grapes from February 1 to July 29th. The work in the vineyard is a permitted special work and she receives the correct legal wage.

The work is over six months, but she has not worked the required number of hours as a full-time employee would during this time. That means that after six months, Melissa hasn't worked the 179 days.

Not qualified: After six months with 2 days of work per week, Melissa comes up to 48 days. With just two days a week, she wouldn't finish her 179 before the second year is over.

Example 3: Working as a “casual” employee
Marcel is not employed full time but as a “casual” worker. Therefore he works irregular hours every week. (But gets a higher minimum wage)

Marcel works on average 8 hours a day and 4 days a week. So in total 32 hours per week. A full-time employee in the same industry works about 40 hours per week.

Not fulfilled: Marcel comes up with 104 days after six months of 32 hours work a week. To reach his 179 days he needs 45 weeks (approx. 10,5 months).

Is there anything I need to be aware of in terms of pay

Some Third Working Holiday applications have been rejected in the past because the government felt that people were not paid according to the minimum wage. So make sure that you get paid at least the legal minimum wage.

The minimum wages in Australia are specified in so-called awards. Depending on the type of employment (full-time, part-time or casual) the wage can vary.

To know the legal minimum wage to which you are entitled, you must also know your industry.

The minimum wage in Australia is 19.84AUD per hour since 1.7.2020 if you are employed full-time or part-time. If you work as a casual employee, you get at least 25% extra on top of the minimum wage, which is 24.80AUD per hour.

>>> Here you can find the current minimum wage and further information on your rights as an employee <<<

Employment records for the 179 days of Specified Work

In order to apply for your Third Working Holiday, you will need your work certificate. No matter which certificate you use, make sure that you can find your employer's ABN on it. Without your employer's ABN the proof cannot be checked and will be rejected. Therefore, make sure that you collect the evidence directly. If you do not automatically receive a pay slip, ask your employer explicitly. By law he is obliged to provide you with a pay slip.

Possible proofs of employment are:

• Payslips
• Bank statements proving the incoming payments
• Payment summaries (PAYG) – This is an overview of your pay for the entire tax year
• Working Holiday Visa Employment Verification

The proof of completed days must then be scanned and uploaded together with your visa application.

Pay slip employed as “Casual”

Example Pay slip employed on a “Piece Rate”

Problems with your employer

Often there are employers who do not comply with the current laws. This is a terrible situation, because in connection with the 179 days, some employers take advantage of you with no mercy.

Don't let yourself be forced into such a difficult situation, because in the end you may not even get your days approved for the work you have done, because you have fallen below the minimum wage or your employer does not give you the necessary proof.

If you have problems with your employer, then you should report them to Fairwork. Fairwork is an government authority that can help with all matters concerning work, minimum wage, unpaid wages and other problems with your employer.

Important: If you are with a farmer who does not adhere to the legal regulations or just keeps putting you off, do not be afraid to leave! In the end you are the one who suffers. I have already met backpackers who worked on a farm for 2 months without money. If you see the abuse, act fast.

>>> Click here for Fairwork and an overview of how they can help you with problems. <<<

Special aspects when applying for the Third Working Holiday Visa in Australia

The application for the Third Working Holiday Visa is completely identical to the Application for the first and second Working Holiday Visa.

Additionally there is a table where you have to enter your worked days. There you need the ABN of your employer, the start and end date and a short description of the activity.

When should you apply for the Third Working Holiday Visa for Australia:

1. Applying while you are in Australia: If you want to use your Third Working Holiday Visa immediately after your second one, you should apply for it at least one month before your second Working Holiday Visa expires. You do not need to provide proof of funds when applying within Australia. If the processing takes longer than your second visa is valid, you will automatically be issued a Bridging Visa.

Special conditions when applying within Australia: While you are waiting for your visa you have to stay in Australia! Only after you received your Third Working Holiday Visa, you are allowed to leave and enter Australia as often as you like.

Bridging Visa: During the time of the Bridging Visa you are allowed to stay in Australia legally and continue working until you receive a decision for your Third Working Holiday.

2. Applying from outside Australia: If you are outside Australia or do not wish to seamlessly follow on from your second Working Holiday Visa, you must apply from outside Australia. In this case you will need to provide proof of payment of AUD 5000. In addition, you will need money for the onward flight or an already booked flight from Australia at the end of your visa. Once your Third Working Holiday Visa has been approved, you will have another year to travel to Australia. Please note that you must apply for your Third Working Holiday at the latest on the day before your 31st birthday.

What is the processing time for the Third Working Holiday Visa in Australia

The applications for the Third Working Holiday Visa in Australia are checked very often. Therefore, the processing time is quite long and might take more than 2 month. If you are in the country, you will get a bridging visa for the time when your second visa finishes and the third is not approved yet.

The current processing times for the Third Working Holiday Visa can be found here:

• Processing times Subclass 417
• Processing times Subclass 462

Visa Application Guide: A step by step guide to apply for your Working Holiday Australia visa can be found here.

Do I need a health check for the Third Working Holiday Visa in Australia

When you're already in Australia, you don't need a health check.

If you are currently outside Australia and have been in a tuberculosis risk country for more than 3 months, you may need to have a new health check. Is this the case, you will be notified by e-mail from the Australian Immigration Service.

My visa application for the Third Working Holiday in Australia was declined

Your visa application has been rejected or there was a question and you do not know what to do?
Exactly because of this situation we started a cooperation with a certified visa agency.

>>> Book now your appointment for visa assistance for your Australia Visa* <<<

What else might interest you:

• Best health insurance for your third working holiday
• Working Holiday Visa Guide for everyone
• Melbourne: 11 Places to visit before you die
• Best credit cards for your working holiday in Australia

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