Which Visa Do I Need to Travel to Australia?

Before you can go backpacking around Australia, you’re going to need to apply for a visa. This can be quite a daunting task, there are a crazy number of options and for the most part they’re all numbered in a nonsensical manner. It isn’t as bad as it seems though, and here they are in layman’s terms.

Due to the nature of visas and the way the Aussie immigration department works, information can become outdated rather quickly. As far as I’m aware this is all currently correct. Either way, the first place you’ll want to look, and probably the best resource you’ll find on the whole visa issue, is the Australian Department of Immigration’s own website.

From this page you can simply fill out the “Find Visa” box on the top right side of your screen. Select your country, nationality and purpose and the search will return a number of suggestions based on what you entered.

If you’re looking to emigrate to Australia permanently, or live and study in Australia, then you’ll need to find the correct information regarding these streams. As the purpose of this guide is for backpacking around Australia, I’m going to assume you’re not Australian and you’re looking to take some time out to travel around. If you’re Australian, you don’t need a visa, so I don’t know why you’re reading this 🙂

The two most common options for international backpackers are:

• Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
• Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

Some nationalities aren’t eligible for either of these visas though, and will require a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). A couple of other options are available but 99.9% of the time one of these three options is what you’re looking for.

This can be confusing, you now have to make a choice from three different visa classifications, but which one is right for YOU? Let’s have a look at what each individual visa requires and grants.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

In explaining the subclass 417, you should first take a look at this document.This is a paper form for the visa application, although you can also apply online using this link. The pdf document outlines a few requirements for the subclass 417 visa. A working holiday visa (subclass 417) is a visa for young people and allows you to stay in Australia and enter employment for up to one year.

You must be outside Australia when you first apply for a working holiday visa.

While visiting on this visa you may work in Australia, but you can only remain with each employer for up to 6 months. You may also study in Australia for up to 4 months. This visa allows you to leave and enter Australia as many times as you require in the 12 month period which commences when you first enter Australia.

Visa Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old, but not over 31 years old.
• You will not have a dependant child with you at any point during your stay in Australia
• You hold a passport from an eligible country.
• You have not previously held a working holiday visa (subclass 417).
• You have enough money to support yourself (about 5000 AUD).
• You can purchase a flight home at the end of your stay.

Which nationalities are eligible for a working holiday visa?

You’ll need to have a passport from one of these countries to be eligible to apply for a working holiday visa (subclass 417).

• Belgium
• Canada
• Republic of Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
• Republic of Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom.

How much will the visa cost?

The subclass 417 visa has a standard visa cost of 420 Australian Dollars (AUD), with a non-internet application fee of an extra 80 AUD. This brings a paper application cost up to $500 or $420 for an online application.

The same cost applies for your 2nd working holiday visa (subclass 417) which is an extension of your original visa, and can only be obtained under specific circumstances.

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

As with a working holiday visa, it would be advisable to read this document first.The biggest difference between a working holiday visa and a work and holiday visa is the eligible countries. In addition to the different countries being eligible, there are also other visa requirements, similar to the subclass 417.

Visa Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old, but not over 31 years old.
• You will not have a dependent child with you at any point during your stay in Australia.
• You hold a passport from an eligible country.
• You have not previously held a working holiday visa (subclass 417).
• You have enough money to support yourself (about 5000 AUD).
• You can purchase a flight home at the end of your stay.
• You must have a supporting letter from your government
• You must meet educational and linguistic requirements

The points in bold are additional to those required for a working holiday visa (subclass 417), and proof must be provided. Required proof based on each individual country can be found in the application form on the immigration website.

The countries which are eligible to apply for a work and holiday (subclass 462) visa are:

Eligible Countries

• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Chile
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Poland
• Thailand
• Turkey
• the USA
• Uruguay

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Unlike the working holiday and work and holiday visas, a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) does not enable you to work whilst you travel around Australia. This means that you’ll need to bring anything you intend to spend, with you. The visa period can vary between 3, 6 and 12 months.

Visa Requirements

• No age limit
• Must be travelling to Australia as a visitor
• For business visitor activities, or
• To visit family and friends
• The cost of a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) ranges between 130 and 335 AUD.

There are numerous other ways to acquire a visitor visa. These are:

Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)

This visa will allow you

• to visit Australia
• Enter Australia for business visitor purposes
• as many times as you want, for up to a year
• and stay up to three months for each visit

The visa carries a service cost of 20 AUD for online applications.

The link above details which passport holders are eligible for this visa.

eVisitor (Subclass 651)

This visa will allow you

• to visit Australia
• Enter Australia for business visitor purposes
• for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period.

This is a free visa.

The link above details which passport holders are eligible for this visa.

Hopefully this guide has helped clear up any questions you might’ve had about which visa you needed to travel to Australia. If not, you can always leave a comment or get in touch with me via social media and I’ll see if I can help you out that way 🙂

If you’ve settled on your visa, you should check out this post on how to apply for your visa, and then go and enjoy your year (or 2) backpacking!