Planning on spending a little bit longer working in Australia? One of the most important things to remember is to extend your working holiday visa. 

If you’re not sure how to do this or don’t know which documents you’ll need, don’t worry. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visa extension in Australia. We’ll cover everything from essential eligibility criteria to how the process works. 

Whether you’re looking to clear up some questions or simply want to make sure you’re fully prepared, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out more. 

What Is a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

A working holiday visa is a temporary visa made for young adults who want to work in Australia. It allows you to stay in the country for a period of 12 months, allowing you to get a job at the same time. 

Many people who vacation in Australia may choose to apply for this type of visa as a way to continue experiencing the country.

The department of home affairs states that those applying for this visa must have a passport and be aged between 18 and 30 years old (35 for some countries). You also cannot be accompanied by any dependent children in order to apply. 

How to Qualify for a Working Holiday Visa Extension in Australia

If you’re coming to the end of your working holiday visa, you may be looking at an extension. However, there are certain things you need to keep in mind in order to qualify. 

First, you must still be within this age limit to be granted an extension. Just because you were within the age limit when you first applied, doesn’t mean you’ll be accepted for your second visa if you’re now above the limit. 

If you’re applying for your second working holiday visa, the department of home affairs also requires evidence of three months of completed specified subclass 417 work. For a third working holiday visa, this needs to be six months of proven work. 

You must also hold a substantive visa or have one that expired less than 28 days before your application. 

How to Extend Your Visa in Australia

Now that you know a little bit about working holiday visas and the eligibility criteria, let’s take you through the steps involved with visa renewal in Australia.

• Step 1: Check your eligibility to first make sure you can extend your visa. 
• Step 2: Prepare your current visa details, passport information, proof of the 417 work you completed and any health insurance details you may have. 
• Step 3: Submit your application via your ImmiAccount on the department of home affairs website. Take your time and remember, there’s an application fee you must also pay. 
• Step 4: Wait for approval and keep in mind that processing times may vary. 
  

As long as you follow these steps, the process should be as smooth as possible. 

Documents Required for a Working Holiday Visa Extension

There are a number of key documents required for an Australian visa extension. Without them, you may not succeed in extending your stay. Here’s a breakdown of some of them: 

• Passport: This is a given and easily the most important document. Just make sure it’s valid when it comes to the renewal of your visa. 
• Proof of employment: This can include your payslip, an employer reference or bank statements. Mainly anything that can prove you completed the work. 
• Current visa details: Whether you’re moving onto your second or third working holiday visa in Australia, you need to provide the information from your previous visa. 
• Health information: You should include any information on your most recent health checks, as well as documents outlining any health insurance. A valid OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) policy is required for all those on the working holiday visa, as per the 8501 condition. Get an OVHC quote online for the best health cover for you.     
  

Once you have all these documents, you should be able to move onto extending your visa. 

Your Guide to Extending Your Working Holiday Visa in Australia

And there you have it. Everything you need to know about extending your working holiday visa in Australia. As long as you understand the different eligibility requirements, have all your relevant documents ready and follow our guidance, things should be smooth sailing. 

On one final note, we’d recommend getting ahead of the game with this one. If you’re planning on sticking around in Australia, start the process of visa renewal early. That way, you can avoid any unnecessary complications and continue to enjoy your working holiday.