Did you know that Greek citizens are eligible for a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa in Australia? Commencing from 1 July 2019, reciprocal work and holiday arrangements between Australia and Greece came into effect. Under this scheme, 500 places are available each year for Australian and Greek citizens to visit each other’s respective countries for work, travel and cultural exchange opportunities.

Under these arrangements, Greek citizens who are aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a Greek working holiday visa Australia.

In this article, we take a closer look at how long you can visit Australia as a work and holiday visa Australia Greece visa holder, the benefits of applying for a Greek working holiday visa Australia, the key criteria for grant of a working holiday visa Australia Greece, as well as what the work and holiday visa Australia Greece allows you to do.

How Long Can You Visit Australia As A Work And Holiday Visa holder?

As a Greek working holiday visa Australia holder, you can visit Australia for up to 12 months. You will then have the option of applying to extend your working holiday visa Australia Greece for an additional 12 months, provided you have completed at least 3 months (88 calendar days) of specified work in your first year as a work and holiday visa Australia Greece holder. To meet this requirement, you will need to have performed specific work tasks in a selected field or industry in a specified area of Australia for which you have been remunerated in accordance with Australian workplace requirements.

Following significant changes which were enacted from 1 July 2019, Greek citizens now also have the added option of applying for a third year Greek working holiday visa Australia, provided you have completed a minimum of 6 months of specified work in a specified area of Australia during your second year Work and Holiday Visa, or during the period when you held a Bridging Visa which was in effect and which was granted when you applied for your second year Work and Holiday Visa. To qualify, the additional 6 months’ work must be performed on or after 1 July 2019.

What Are The Benefits Of Applying For A Work And Holiday Visa?

As a working holiday visa Australia Greece holder, you could potentially remain in Australia for a total period of up to three years, subject to satisfying all eligibility requirements for a first, second and third year work and holiday visa Australia Greece. Apart from the added time this allows you to spend travelling around and exploring Australia and the many great things to see and do, if you are thinking about potentially settling in Australia for a more extended period, or even permanently in the future, having this extra time means you can truly experience what it is like to live and work in Australia, so that you can decide whether this is an option that you would like to pursue.

There is another benefit, and that is you can use the time on your Greek working holiday visa Australia to prepare and qualify for a further visa down the track, such as an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. To be eligible for this temporary residence visa, you will generally need to have a minimum of 2 years skilled employment experience in a skilled nominated occupation.  You could use the time on your working holiday visa Australia Greece to gain this work experience (subject to prescribed work limitations that apply to the work and holiday visa Australia Greece, as discussed below).

Or, you may consider applying for a Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) or Subclass 190 Skilled (State Sponsored) visa, which are both points-based permanent residence visas for which you can gain additional points by gaining Australian skilled work experience whilst you hold a Greek working holiday visa Australia. There are also skilled regional visa options on offer, which provide pathways to permanent residency in Australia.

Additionally, to receive nomination approval for State Sponsorship, a minimum period of residence in a specified State or Territory in Australia may be required. As a working holiday visa Australia Greece holder, you are unrestricted in where you can reside in Australia and you can therefore settle for the minimum period required in the relevant State or Territory where you intend to apply for State Sponsorship in the future.

What Are The Key Criteria For Grant Of A Work And Holiday Visa?

To qualify for a work and holiday visa Australia Greece, you will need to:

  • Be a genuine visitor with your principal purpose being to spend a holiday in Australia;
  • Have enough funds for your travel fare to depart Australia and to support yourself during your stay in Australia (approximately $5,000);
  • Have a good immigration history;
  • Not have previously entered Australia on a Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa or a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa (if you are applying for your first year);
  • Have complied substantially with the conditions of your previous Work and Holiday Visa (if you are applying for your second or third year);
  • have tertiary qualifications, or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate university study;
  • Have Functional English;
  • Provide a letter of support from an approved nominated agency if you are applying for your first year; and
  • Meet health and character requirements.

What Does The Work And Holiday Visa Allow You To Do?

As a Greek working holiday visa Australia holder, you can work for the same employer for up to six months on each working holiday visa Australia Greece (this restriction can be waived in limited circumstances). Note there are exceptions to this provision. For example, changes announced extend this maximum period to 12 months if you perform agricultural work (plant and animal cultivation) for an agricultural employer. Other temporary changes have been enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can also travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis and undertake study for up for four months on each work and holiday visa Australia Greece.

Get More Information

Learn more about the Working Holiday Maker visa, including the Greek working holiday visa Australia and changes that have been enacted, in the following articles:

Working Holiday Maker Program Changes

Changes to the Working Holiday Maker Visa 2019

Subclass 417 And 462 Working Holiday Visa Changes

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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about your eligibility for a working holiday visa Australia Greece and how you can apply for a work and holiday visa Australia Greece.

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Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are interested in applying for a visa in Australia, including a Greek working holiday visa Australia, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this. There are several terms that are defined in the migration law. Detailed advice about these is beyond the scope of this article and we would therefore recommend that you seek further information in this regard.

For up to date advice on your eligibility for a working holiday visa Australia Greececontact PAX Migration Australia, a leading immigration service providing advice on a range of visas, including a work and holiday visa Australia GreeceContact us for a no obligation discussion on how we may be able to assist you to achieve your migration goals in Australia.

Sources/Links

Australian Government – The Hon David Coleman MP – Former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – Monday, 25 March 2019 – Media release – Australia and Greece to commence reciprocal work and holiday arrangements