What is the Best Way to Work and Travel Australia As a Canadian?

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Can a Canadian work and travel in Australia?

So, if you stumbled upon this post, you may be wondering if you can extend a stay in Australia by working as you travel. Fair question given the cost of travelling through the massive country. Not to mention the long flight times. Well, if you are a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 35 years old, then I have great news for you! The Australian Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417), is a visa designed for this AND Canadians are eligible. This visa means that work and travel in Australia is definitely something that is quite accessible for Canadian citizens.

So, what is this visa all about then?

Am I Eligible for a Working Holiday Visa?

• Canadian applicants must be between the ages of 18-35 years old.
• You will need a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your stay. So rather than the standard six months, it would need to be valid for at least a year. Canada has these nice, new ten-year passports so that should not be too difficult to achieve.
• You cannot have not previously had a visa under Subclass 462. More information on what that means here. 
• There cannot be any dependent children accompanying you.
• You must have a suitable amount of money to support yourself ($5000) and buy a return ticket home.
• Applicants must be of good character. So, no more convicts allowed.
• You cannot have outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
• Luckily, you do not need to have work lined up for this visa ahead of time. You can show up and find a job there.

What Can One Do with a Working Holiday Visa?

• Someone on a working holiday visa is able to leave Australia and re-enter during the same year. Since multiple entries are permitted, you are able to also explore other countries and return to Australia.
• You are able to work during the visa but not with the same employer for more than 6 months.
• This visa allows for tourism. So, feel free to wander around and take in the sights. You are only here once (Or maybe twice but more on that in a bit).
• If you want to, you are allowed up to four months of study.
• Most importantly, you can remain in Australian for up to 12 months.

The expectation on this visa subclass is that you are mostly travelling Australia and working as needed to supplement your travels.

How Much Does a Working Holiday Visa Cost?

$450 AUD at the time of writing.

How long does it take to get a Working Holiday Visa?

The Australian government lists processing times as being up to 35 days but myself and my travel companions were able to get ours approved much sooner. However, do not rely on that. Apply in advance of your expected departure. You will have one year from the approval date to enter the country, so applying early should not hurt.

Are Canadians only eligible for one working holiday visa?

Not necessarily but some restrictions apply. If you think that you may want to spend a second year in Australia then you must complete three months of farm work during your first visa. For more information check out the Australian government’s website under specified work.

How can you get a working holiday visa for Australia?

The application process can be completed online and is actually quite simple to do yourself. The application can be found on the Australian government website. Simply, make an immiAccount. Or, for a detailed application guide, check this out.

What if I want to work in Australia and then travel to another country for a bit?

You can! The working holiday visa (Subclass 417) allows for multiple entries into Australia. For instance, you could work for four months in Australia and then spend a month travelling New Zealand. If you wanted to come back to Australia afterwards, as long as your visa has not expired, you can!

What do I need before I can apply to Work and Travel?

• A passport that will be valid for the duration of your trip. Canada has started offering ten-year passports which could be a good option. That way if you opt for a second year, it will be ready to go. This process can take time so it’s good to get a head start on this if you need to. Go to your local post office to pick up an application form. For more information on passport renewals head over to the passport Canada website. Also, scan your passport and have it saved somewhere accessible to you in the event it gets lost.
• The visa will cost $450 AUD (At time of writing). This will have to be paid in full before your application will be processed.
• You will need to prove you have funds to support yourself while in Australia and to return home. The Australian government suggests $5000. While this is not necessary to complete the application, it would be a good idea to have all or most of it ready. Or, at the very least, a solid plan for saving it up. You definitely do not want to cut your work and travel short by running out of money before securing a job.

And that’s that. If you’re within the age brackets and able to save you can definitely spend a year down under.

Are you burning with curiosity? Have more questions? Either leave them in the comments or email me. I am happy to help.