Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas (subclasses 462 and 417) allow you to:
- have an extended holiday in Australia and
- supplement your funds with short-term employment.
WHM visas are granted with mandatory condition 8547 attached. This limits work with each employer to a maximum of 6 months.
Under condition 8547: “the holder must not be employed by any 1 employer for more than 6 months, without the prior permission in writing of the Secretary.”
This condition applies to all WHM visa holders, unless your work falls within one of the exemptions mentioned below.
You can check your visa details and conditions in your WHM visa grant letter, VEVO or the myVEVO app.
For more information, visit Visa condition 8547 - 6-month work limitation.
When you do not need to request permission to work with the same employer
Working Holiday Makers do not need to ask permission to work for the same employer in Australia for more than 6 months if they work in any of the following:
- different locations, and work in any one location does not exceed 6 months
- plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
- critical sectors. This includes agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, and tourism and hospitality, anywhere in Australia
- certain industries. This includes fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in Northern Australia only (see website for a definition of Northern Australia)
- natural disaster recovery work anywhere in Australia
Your work must fall within one of the exemptions above if you wish to work for the same employer for more than 6 months while holding your WHM visa.
When you can obtain permission to work with the same employer
We would only consider granting you permission to work for longer than 6 months with the same employer if:
- you have applied for a visa that allows you to work full time or
- your employer indicates that your work is critical to them.
In these two situations you must ask for our permission using this form.
After you request permission to work with the same employer for more than 6 months
After you have submitted a request for approval to work longer than 6 months for the same employer, you can continue working for the same employer until you receive a written outcome of your request. You must submit your request before the initial 6-month period lapses.
Due to the high volume of requests, the department is not able to provide individual confirmation that we have received your request. If you are still waiting to receive a written outcome for your request, and your employer has queries, you can refer them to this web page for confirmation you can continue working for them until a decision is made.
If your work is exempt or we give you permission to work longer than 6 months, you can work with the same employer for the rest of your visa.
For more information see: Applying for permission to work longer than 6 months with one employer.
You should submit a request to work with an employer beyond 6 months at least 2 weeks before the expiry of the 6 months. Note that you:
- must receive written permission from us before extending your employment
- cannot include more than one visa holder’s request in this form
- must attach a letter of support from your employer if your ongoing employment is critical to their business.
