How To Get A Third Year Working Holiday Visa In Australia

Gabby Boucher

January 18th, 2024

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9 minute read

If you've completed your first and second year Working Holiday Visas in Australia, you can extend your stay for a third year! I can't imagine why any traveller would NOT want to stay in Australia longer, thanks to the country's spectacular landscapes, loveable locals, great wages, adventurous, nature-focused lifestyle, and the list could go on and on. 

Talking about visa logistics can seem tedious, but it has to be done. It's worth taking the time to familiarise yourself with every single aspect of your Australian visa application process. You want to ensure you meet all the requirements and follow every step correctly. Don't miss the opportunity to spend up to 3 years embracing Australia on a Working Holiday!

We're going to get down to the nitty gritty details regarding third year Working Holiday Visas for Australia. Topics include:

• What do I have to do to be eligible for a third Working Holiday Visa?
• How long can I stay in Australia on my third year Working Holiday Visa?
• How long does it take to get a third Working Holiday Visa?
• How much does it cost to apply for a third Working Holiday Visa?
• How to apply for a third year Working Holiday Visa
• What can I do on my third Working Holiday Visa?
• Can I apply for PR after a Working Holiday visa in Australia?

What do I have to do to be eligible for a third Working Holiday visa?

To be eligible for a third year Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you have to meet all the requirements and follow the application steps as outlined by Immigration. The most distinct rule for this particular visa is that you must have completed 6 months of regional work during your second year Working Holiday Visa. And of course, you must have completed a first year WHV and a second year WHV before you get the third year. You can't skip any steps! Here are some more details about the general requirements and regional work rules for the third year visa. 

Third year Working Holiday Visa requirements

To be eligible for a third year Working Holiday Visa, you must meet these requirements:

• Hold a valid passport from one of the eligible countries (See the full list for the 417 visa and the 462 visa)
• Have successfully completed and followed all requirements for a first year WHV and a second year WHV in Australia
• Prove that you have at least $5,000 in savings to support yourself during your stay
• Have completed 6 months of specified work (more details below)
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 (exact ages may vary based on nationality, double-check the eligibility pages linked to above!)
• Meet health and character requirements
• Not have any debts to the Australian government
• Not have had any previous visas denied
• Must sign the Australian values statement

6 months of specified work

During your second year WHV, you will have to complete 6 months of specified work. This is the same process as doing 3 months of specified work on your first year WHV to apply for your second year. You just have to commit to 6 months instead!

With your third year visa application, you'll need to provide evidence of your employment, including legitimate payslips and employer information. Most specified work takes place in regional areas, which encourages backpackers to travel beyond the touristy cities and give back to rural Australian communities. You may not have to travel to remote regions if you choose to work in emergency or recovery for bushfires, floods, and COVID-19. 

Here is a summary of the specified work that allows you to get a third year Working Holiday Visa:

• Tourism and hospitality in regional Australia
• Construction in regional Australia
• Plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
• Fishing and pearling in northern Australia
• Tree farming and felling in northern Australia 
• Flood recovery work in affected areas
• Bushfire recovery work in affected areas
• Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors anywhere in Australia

Find more detailed information about specified work for 417 and 462 visas.

Before you take any job, it's super important to double-check that its location counts for the specified region. Those links that I just included have a list of valid postcodes for different areas including "regional Australia", "northern Australia" and "affected areas" for natural disasters. If your 6 months of specified work is not in a valid postcode, it won't count and you won't get your third year WHV!

How long can I stay in Australia on my third year Working Holiday Visa?

A third year Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay in Australia for another 12 months. Both the first and second year visas are 12 months as well, so completing all 3 visas will add up to a cumulative 3 years in Australia. Note that if you leave Australia during your 12 months, the time doesn't pause. 

How long does it take to get a third Working Holiday Visa?

Processing times vary for each individual visa, but most Working Holiday Visas are granted within about 20 days for 417 visas and 80 days for 462 visas. About 50% of 417 visa applications are processed in just 1 day, and 50% of 462 applications are processed in 16 days. The more complete your application, the quicker it can be processed. So just make sure your application is as detailed and accurate as possible, However, every case is different and there is no exact formula to determine how long your visa will take. 

You can use the Immigration website's Visa Processing Times Tool to check standard processing times for your visa.

Bridging Visas

If you submit your third year visa application at the end of your second year visa, you'll be put on a bridging visa while your third year application is processed. Bridging visas have their own set of rules, so be sure to read your letter from Immigration in-depth to see what your Bridging Visa entails. 

How much does it cost to apply for a third Working Holiday Visa?

A third year Working Holiday Visa costs $635 AUD. You pay this fee when you submit your application online. Check Australia's Immigration website regularly for updates as the price may change. But as of January 2024, it's $635 for the third year WHV. 

If that price seems steep, I promise you it's 100% worth it! Having the opportunity to work in Australia means you'll easily be able to make money to cover those visa costs and fund your travels and adventures. While living and travel costs can be high in Australia, wages are proportionate and very high when compared globally. So on an Australian wage, you can usually live super comfortably and even put away some savings with our budget travel tips.

How to apply for a third year Working Holiday Visa

Apply for your third year Woking Holiday Visa via the online application through the Home Affairs website. You should already have an account from your first and second year Working Holiday Visas, so just follow the same process. 

You can be either inside or outside Australia when you apply for a third year WHV. If you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Your 12 months begins from the day you enter Australia. 

If you apply inside Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted. Your 12 months begins from the day your visa is granted. 

What can I do on my third Working Holiday Visa?

A third year Working Holiday Visa gives you an extra year to stay in Australia and work, study, or travel. In terms of work, you are allowed to do any type of work as long as you don't stay with an employer for longer than 6 months. This is because a WHV is supposed to be temporary! If you wish to work with one employer for longer, you'll need a work visa. You can also study for up to 4 months. If you wish to study for longer than that, you'll need a student visa. 

On your third year WHV, you can also travel around Australia or to other countries. You can leave and enter Australia as many times as you want, but your 12 month stay doesn't pause when you leave the country. Our East Coast travel itineraries are the perfect way to travel around Australia while you're on your visa! Pick an itinerary that suits your time frame and have a blast exploring the coast and meeting other travellers.

Can I apply for PR after a Working Holiday visa in Australia?

No, you cannot apply for permanent residency after your third year Working Holiday Visa. But you can apply for other visas that will put you on the path to residency! Permanent residency, or PR, is often the goal for travellers who spend 3 years in Australia and fall in love with this amazing country. Even if you want to make Australia your home and you've been here for 3 years, a Working Holiday Visa is meant to be a temporary visa only.

Once your third year WHV is finished, you can apply for another type of visa that will allow you to stay in Australia longer. Some options include a student visa, a sponsored work visa, or a partner visa if you've started a genuine relationship with an Aussie. Work sponsorship is the most common path to PR, especially if you're on a third year WHV as you've had 3 years to build connections and gain work experience. I recommend booking an appointment with a registered immigration agent to discuss your options if you have your heart set on permanently moving to Australia!

Check out our complete collection of Working Holiday articles to help you plan your time Down Under!

Our travel experts are available 24/7 to help you plan your trip to Australia. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

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