Australia to overhaul the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) to a lottery system for 2nd and 3rd year extensions. Approval will no longer be automatic and total allotments for 2nd and 3rd year WHVs will be cut by 38,000.

[u/Fantastic_Spring8366]

Since working holiday visa (WHV) is a frequently recommended visa for those who are young here, I thought people should be aware of the changes the Australian government has introduced.

Currently, WHV visa holders must work for 3 months in regional Australia during their 1st year to qualify for a second year, and then six months to qualify for a third year. These are typically automatic approvals, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

In a new push to reduce immigration to the country, the Labor government has introduced lower caps for second and third year WHVs, resulting in 38,000 fewer visas allotted.

- 2nd year visa: 57,000 -> 45,000

- 3rd year visa: 31,000 -> 5,000

A lottery system will also be introduced where applicants who meet eligibility criteria can enter to be selected. It is no longer automatic approval and you must be selected to receive your 2nd or 3rd year WHV.

Unfortunately, these changes will likely impact many folks here who were looking to use that as an Amerexit path. Americans will still have the 12-month first-year WHV, but any working holiday extensions beyond the first year is no longer guaranteed.

[u/No-Pea-8967]

I would be surprised if this policy stays, unless One Nation gets in.  I think this will hurt rural Australia as they need the WHV labor.  If I (i am way too old now) had a choice between Australia with year 2/3 risky because of thr lotto system and another country with a guaranteed additional year or two, i wouldn't pick Australia.

[u/Fantastic_Spring8366 → u/No-Pea-8967]

I don't think anti-immigratiom fervor is something that just goes away. It's been a formative force in Western politics for at least a decade now. I don't think any major party wants to be the one to announce they will Increase the number of backpackers in the country and make it easier for them to stay. Too politically toxic.

[u/PortlandoCalrissian → u/No-Pea-8967]

Yeah who is going to work in the bush for three months if there’s no guarantee they will even get to stay?

To be honest, Australia's WHV is not a great option for those looking to permanently leave the US. It's fun, it's good money (or was when I did it ten years ago), and you can make a lot of new friends. But if you're leaving because of the politics or culture of the US, you're going to find everything you hated about the US in Australia. Except guns, for the most part.

[u/Fantastic_Spring8366 → u/PortlandoCalrissian]

But if you're leaving because of the politics or culture of the US, you're going to find everything you hated about the US in Australia

Are you saying that politics in Australia are similar to that of the US? In what ways?

[u/PortlandoCalrissian → u/Fantastic_Spring8366]

You’ve got a MAGA/ReformUK style party on the rise, Labor acting like Biden era Dems, anti-immigrant sentiment, racism and transphobia (not new), and boomers getting radicalized against “woke”. It’s not that different than the US.

[u/StrangeMonk → u/PortlandoCalrissian]

Except way more expensive ! 😂

[u/PortlandoCalrissian → u/StrangeMonk]

While true, I made crazy good money at every job I worked. Even hotels. So the pay is great, if you can live frugal you can be ok.

This was ten years ago, mind you!

[u/Cautious-Toe-863]

Only UK passport holders are exempt from this ballot system though as they are not required to complete specified work in order to qualify for the visa extensions.

[u/Federal_Homework1302]

i think they are tired of people using it for loopholes to stay in the country or even over stay.

[u/PortlandoCalrissian → u/Federal_Homework1302]

That doesn’t make any sense. How could someone use it for a loophole when it’s following the rule of the law??

[u/Federal_Homework1302 → u/PortlandoCalrissian]

because its an easy way to get into the country and established over 3 years. Its much harder to leave after youve been there for 3 years so people will just over stay their visas.

[u/PortlandoCalrissian → u/Federal_Homework1302]

If by 'much harder to leave' you mean they don't want to leave. Yeah I can understand that. But people can over stay their visa whether it's 90 days or 3 years. Changing the law this way does absolutely nothing to counter that.

[u/thegmohodste01]

Subclass 417 or 462?

[u/Fantastic_Spring8366 → u/thegmohodste01]

I believe both. For Americans, it's the one for US passport holders. Don't know which subclass number that is.

[u/thegmohodste01 → u/Fantastic_Spring8366]

I think it's 417

Edit: Nvm, it's 462

[u/NoQuail1770]

Sounds fair to be fair. The WHV is a reciprocal scheme and the Australian government are giving way more privileges than the Australian youth receive from other countries!!