The Work and Holiday visa provides a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for Singapore participants to experience a working holiday in Australia. It is also an opportunity for cultural exchange and building closer cultural ties between Singapore and Australia.
The following Frequently Asked Questions provide further details about the Work and Holiday Arrangement with Singapore.
For more detail on the requirements of the Work and Holiday visa please see the Department of Home Affairs website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I apply for a Work and Holiday visa?
- How many Work and Holiday visas are available to Singaporeans each program year?
- What can a Work and Holiday visa holder do in Australia?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- Is there an age limit for a Work and Holiday visa?
- What will I need to provide in my application?
- How much does the visa cost?
- How are the participants selected?
- Where can I find more information on Australia’s Work and Holiday visa?
- Can Australians apply for a Work and Holiday visa to Singapore?
- How can I show that I meet the functional English requirements?
- Will I have to attend an interview as part of my application for a Work and Holiday visa?
- What are my rights in Australia? What sort of protection am I offered in Australian work places?
- I have multiple degrees or qualifications. Should I only provide my highest qualification?
- Can I apply for a Work and Holiday visa if I am not in Singapore?
- What is the standard processing time for a Work and Holiday visa?
- How long will my Work and Holiday visa be valid for?
- Can I apply for a second Work and Holiday visa?
- My work and Holiday visa has been granted. Can I use an ETA to travel to Australia for a holiday before I start my Work and Holiday visa?
From 1 July 2019, applicants from Singapore must lodge online through ImmiAccount. Paper applications will not be accepted from that date.
There is an annual limit of 2,500 places for Singapore citizens. Once this number is reached no further visa applications will be accepted until the following year. The program year runs from 1 July to 30 June.
There is no limit on the number of second Work and Holiday visas that can be granted in any program year. See Question 18 for more information on eligibility for a second Work and Holiday visa.
The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa allows participants to engage in cultural exchange and tourism. In addition, the visa allows the holder to:
- first enter Australia any time up to 12 months from the date of grant;
- stay in Australia for 12 months from their date of first arrival;
- work for the 12 months duration of their stay, but generally for no longer than six months with any one employer;
- study for up to four months;
- leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid;
- acquire eligibility to apply for a second Work and Holiday visa by completing three months of 'specified subclass 462 work'.
General eligibility requirements for a Singapore Work and Holiday visa are that applicants:
- hold a valid Singapore passport;
- are at least 18 but have not turned 31 years of age at the time an application is lodged;
- will not have a dependent child with them while in Australia;
- have enough money to support themselves on a working holiday (about AUD 5,000);
- have an onward travel ticket out of Australia, or have access to sufficient funds to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of their stay in Australia;
- have not previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) or Working Holiday visa (subclass 417);
- hold a tertiary qualification, or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university study;
- have functional English (e.g., have matriculated from an English speaking high school or have the equivalent to IELTS 4.5 or higher);
- meet character and health requirements; and
- are a genuine visitor.
More detailed information about this visa is available on the Department of Home Affairs website at: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-.
Yes. Applicants for a first or second Work and Holiday visa must be at least 18 but not have turned 31 years of age at the time of lodging the application.
Information about applying for a subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa is available on the Department of Home Affairs website at: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-.
As of 1 January 2019, the Visa Application Charge for the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa is AUD 485 / SGD 492.
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements for the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa can apply.
Further general information can be found on the website of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection at: Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
Australians are able to apply for a Work and Holiday visa to Singapore. The annual limit for Australians is 500.
Evidence of high school matriculation in Singapore is sufficient to meet the functional English requirement.
If you do not have evidence of high school matriculation in Singapore, you will need to provide further evidence of functional English. This can include a certificate from a specified English language test showing that you meet the English language skill requirement such as IELTS, TOEFL, OET, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Advanced English. Note that applicants must have gained a qualifying result from at least one of these tests in the past 12 months.
Aside from these formalised tests, the Department also accepts that significant experience in an academic environment where the instruction is wholly in English is sufficient evidence of your English language ability. For example, at least five years of high school or a post-secondary qualification with at least two years of full-time study where all instruction was conducted in English would be sufficient demonstration of functional English. For more details of acceptable evidence of functional English, see the Department’s website.
You will not be required to attend a face-to-face interview to support your application for a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa. However, you may be contacted by a visa officer and asked to supply further evidence in support of your application.
All workers in Australia, including Work and Holiday visa holders, are covered by the same workplace laws regarding their pay and conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman has responsibility for ensuring compliance with Australia’s workplace laws. More information is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman website on rights and entitlements for visa holders.
To be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) visa you must have completed a minimum of two years of university education. You should provide copies of each of your qualifications and academic transcripts with your application.
Yes, but you will need to enrol your biometrics at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC). For contact details of the AVAC please visit the VFS global website.
For current global processing times, please see: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards/global-visa-citizenship-processing-times. While most applications are processed within this timeframe, processing may take longer if your application is incomplete, or if you are requested to provide further information.
If you are granted a Work and Holiday visa it will be valid for first entry up to one year from the grant date. You may then stay for one year from the date you first arrive in Australia. It will allow you to leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
Work and Holiday visa holders who complete three months of 'specified subclass 462 work' may acquire eligibility to apply for a second Work and Holiday visa, provided they also continue to meet all other eligibility criteria. Detailed information on the application process and acceptable evidence of specified work is available on the Department’s website at: http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-.
No. Once your Work and Holiday visa has been granted, it will replace any existing visas you held. Your Work and Holiday visa will be activated on arrival in Australia and your 12-month stay period will begin from that date. For more information, see 'When does the 12-month stay period on your Work and Holiday visa start' on the Department of Home Affairs website.