Government Announces Extension of Working Holiday Visa Conditions Amid Migration Strategy Reforms

In a recent announcement, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs outlined the extension of the relaxation of visa condition 8547. This decision is part of the broader Migration Strategy reform, with a particular focus on the Working Holiday program.

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs has extended the relaxation of visa condition 8547 for Working Holiday Visas during the ongoing reform process outlined in the Migration Strategy. As part of this initiative, a forthcoming discussion paper will examine various aspects of the Working Holiday program, such as eligibility criteria, visa conditions, and specified work requirements.

Further details on the reform process are expected to be released in early 2024.

Extended employment without permission

From 1 January 2024, until further government decisions are made, Working Holiday Makers have the flexibility to work for the same employer in Australia for more than 6 months without seeking permission if:

• The work occurs in different locations, and the duration of work in any single location does not exceed 6 months.
• The work involves plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia.
• The work falls within specific industries, such as aged care and disability services, fish-ing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, limited to northern Australia only.
• The work is related to natural disaster recovery and commenced on or after 17 Febru-ary 2020.
• The work is in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care, childcare (effective from 4 April 2020), or tourism and hospitality (effec-tive from 8 May 2021), and can take place anywhere in Australia.

Permission required for other situations

For situations not covered above, WHMs are required to seek permission if they intend to work for a single employer for more than 6 months. To extend the employment period, WHMs must meet specific criteria:

• Being an au pair
• Applying for another visa in Australia that allows full-time work
• Demonstrating exceptional circumstances critical to their employer

Criteria for exceptional circumstances

Exceptional circumstances must:

• Relate to an Australian permanent resident, citizen, or business
• Be out of the ordinary
• Be unforeseeable

Application Process

To apply for permission, WHMs can complete a web form available on the official website shortly.

Already Submitted Requests

For individuals who have already submitted a request for approval to work beyond 6 months for the same employer, they are permitted to continue working until they receive a written outcome of their request. 

To discuss these changes, please get in touch with our expert team at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com to arrange an online consultation. 

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