Four major changes are going into effect 1 July 2019 for Working Holiday makers in Australia. Let us break down what this means for workers and employers:
- Third-year visa for subclass 417 and 462 visa holders
- Working holiday makers on their second year can extend their visa for another year. To be eligible, they must have worked in a specified job for 6 months in a specified regional area.
- Work more than 6 months for the same agricultural employer
- Since 5 November 2018, it is possible to work more than 6 months for the same employer in the agricultural sector.
- Jobs included are:
- “- The harvesting and / or packing of fruit and vegetable crops
– pruning and trimming vines and trees
– general maintenance crop work
– cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts
– immediate processing of plant products
– maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce
– immediate processing of animal products including shearing, butchery, packing and tanning
– manufacturing dairy produce from raw materials.” (06/11/2018 Homeaffairs)
- “- The harvesting and / or packing of fruit and vegetable crops
- Workers will be able to stay with an employee for up to 12 months.
- Increasing the age limit to 35
- Canadians and Irish can now apply for a first or second-year Working Holiday until they turn 35. Previously the age limit was 31 for Canadians and Irish. For all countries, the age limit remains at 31.
- Additional regional areas added
- See here for more information regarding postcodes added https://www.australia-backpackersguide.com/eligible-areas-second-year-visa-australia/
ProcessWorx based in Perth, Western Australia, is personally dedicated to helping small business with HR support, HR advice and farm safety. If you require HR support, HR advice, farm safety please contact ProcessWorx on (08) 9316 9896 or email enquiries@processworx.com.au
