Published on 24 June 2024
New Work and Holiday Maker Visa Agreement Between Australia and the Philippines
Australia and the Philippines have strengthened their bilateral ties with a new agreement under the Work and Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program, which was part of a broader Strategic Partnership signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the Philippines, HE Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the Prime Minister’s visit to Manila on 8 September 2023. This partnership was announced publicly by the Prime Minister. The arrangements will allow up to 200 young Filipino and Australian passport holders each year to enjoy a 12-month holiday in each other’s country.
Following this diplomatic milestone, the Australian Government introduced new regulations through the Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Amendment (The Philippines) Instrument (LIN 24/041) 2024. These regulations significantly modify the Work and Holiday visa program. The amendment was formally executed by Patrick Bryson, acting as a delegate for the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, on 21 June 2024.
Key Points
Effective Date: 1 July 2024
Purpose: Allow Filipino nationals to apply for the Subclass 462 visa by including the Philippines as an eligible country. Define the educational qualifications required for Filipino applicants.
Applicants must meet one of the following educational criteria: Hold a tertiary qualification or have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate or post-secondary education.
What is the Visa 462 (Work and Holiday Visa) in Australia?
Visa 462, also known as the Work and Holiday Visa, is an Australian visa for younger people from eligible countries who want to have an extended holiday while being allowed to work part-time. This visa encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and eligible countries.
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) and hold a passport from a country that has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia. This visa allows them to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, work in Australia typically limited to the same employer for up to 6 months (subject to certain conditions), study for up to 4 months, and leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
Eligibility requirements often include meeting educational qualifications, having functional English, and showing proof of sufficient funds to support oneself on arrival in Australia. Different countries may have additional specific requirements or caps on the number of visas issued annually.
Implementation and Finalisation Details
With the legislation to enable the program starting on 1 July 2024, both countries are now completing the necessary administrative work to implement the arrangement.
Once all arrangements are finalised, the Department of Home Affairs will publish the start date and additional details on its website. This will include guidance for Filipino passport holders on obtaining a Letter of Concurrence (LoC) from their Government.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Please note that visa regulations and policies can change, so it’s important to stay up to date with official government sources for the most accurate and current information.
To discuss your visa options further, please call us on +61 8 6557 6779.