Subclass 417 Working Holiday and Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visas are subject to condition 8547, limiting most visa holders to working for any one employer for a maximum of 6 months.
In recent years (especially during the COVID period) a number of exemptions to this limitation were introduced to keep visa holders working and Australian businesses operating.
At the time of publishing, 417 and 462 visa holders do not need permission to work beyond the 6-month limit if they are employed in any of the following:
- different locations for the same employer, as long as work in any one location does not exceed 6 months
- plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
- natural disaster recovery work anywhere in Australia
- critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, tourism and hospitality, anywhere in Australia
- certain industries including, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in Northern Australia only
Immigration provides definitions of the type of work that is acceptable, including specific jobs in critical sectors and postcodes for Northern Australia. Natural disaster recovery work is expected to be in the direct aftermath of the event. These are not open to interpretation, and working in breach can mean possible cancellation of your visa, sanctions or fines against your employer, or potentially ruin future visa applications.
Don’t just rely on the Immigration website. AVIE’s Corporate Services team can guide visa holders and employers through the 8547 requirements, clarify exemptions, and submit a request for permission if required.