Hungary-Australia: Work and Holiday Agreement
March 4, 2016
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By: Chris Spentzaris
The Work and Holiday program has had great success in Australia for a number of years, both for young Australians looking for a gap year abroad, and also by providing young adults around the world with an opportunity to work and see Australia. Many Work and Holiday visa holders in Australia who have skills in great need in Australia often go on to be sponsored by employers on 457 visas, and ultimately obtain permanent residence in Australia. Others enjoy a gap year in Australia and go home sharing their adventures and experiences. The program has seen great benefits for regional Australia, with Work and Holiday visa holders filling a much needed demand for seasonal workers.
On 24 February 2016, Hungary and Australia entered into a Work and Holiday agreement, which will allow 200 young Hungarians each year to visit and work in Australia for one year. Australians will also be able to benefit mutually from this agreement. Hungary joins many other Asian, European and North/ South American countries who benefit from the arrangement.
The program is made up of two visas: the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, and the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa. Both visas allow adults under the age of 31 to live and work in Australia for one year, with the possibility of a further one year extension for 417 visa holders engaging in specific types of work, such as mining, cultivation and construction, among others, in regional Australia. Importantly, visa holders can only work for any one employer for up to 6 months, although there are some exceptions to this. For example, visa holders working for an employer in Northern Australia may have their work rights extended for a further 6 months.
At the moment, although the agreement between Australia and Hungary has been signed, the visas are not yet available. Please see the Australian Department of Immigration & Border Protection’s website for updates on when the visa will be available.
For a list of passport nationalities that can apply for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, see the Australian Immigration website.
For a list of passport nationalities that can apply for the Work and Holiday (462) visa, see the Australian Immigration website.
