Key Points
- The Australian Work & Holiday Visa for Filipinos will begin on 1 July 2024.
- Filipino passport holders aged 18-30 can apply, provided they meet specific criteria.
- Applicants must apply from outside Australia and meet educational and financial requirements.
As per a new , Philippine passport holders will be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday Visa starting 1 July 2024.
This change is formalised in the Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Amendment (The Philippines) Instrument (LIN 24/041) 2024, which updates the previous legislation (LIN 21/019)
In a recent episode of "Trabaho, Visa, atbp.," Registered Migration Agent PJ Bernardo answered frequently asked questions about this visa.
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
- Have a passport from an eligible country.
- Be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive).
- Apply from outside Australia.
- Not be accompanied by dependent children.
- Apply on your own (you can’t include family members in your application).
- Have at least Functional English.
- Have enough money (usually about AUD 5,000) for your initial stay, plus the fare to where you are going after leaving Australia.
- Meet education requirements:
- Have a tertiary qualification from a university, college, or training centre, or
- Have completed 2 years of undergraduate university study.
What Can You Do with This Visa?
- Do short-term work and/or study in Australia to help pay for your holiday.
Duration and Application Fee:
- The visa duration is 12 months.
- The application fee is AUD 635.00.
Things to Watch Out For:
Mr. Bernardo mentioned that it is not yet clear if the 200 slots available are exclusively for Filipinos, given that this is a reciprocal arrangement between Australia and the Philippines. Clarification will be needed from the Department of Home Affairs, which is expected on 1 July when the information is posted on their website.
Another important aspect to watch out for is the requirement of a letter of support. Mr. Bernardo explained, “Partner countries here are 29, but for 12 of these countries, the Australian government requires a letter of support from the respective government. Currently, the countries included in that requirement are comparable to the Philippines in terms of economic size, like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. So we don’t know yet, and we need to wait.”
According to the Home Affairs website, "both countries are now completing the administrative work needed to apply the arrangement in the coming months. We will publish a start date and other details on this page as soon as all arrangements are finalised. This will include advice to Filipino passport holders on how to get a Letter of Concurrence (LoC) from their Government."
Clarification from the Australian government is also needed regarding the character and health requirements, according to Mr. Bernardo.
This new opportunity opens up exciting prospects for young Filipinos looking to work and travel in Australia.
Registered Migration Agent PJ Bernardo Credit: Registered Migration Agent PJ Bernardo
Disclaimer: The general explanation and information provided are for guidance only. For additional information and advice tailored to your specific situation, consult with a lawyer or a registered migration agent in Australia.
