While it is true that most Work & Travel travellers have usually just finished school, vocational training or university, this does not automatically mean that this visa is only suitable for people under 30. With some careful planning, it is still possible to spend a gap year in Australia on a Working Holiday visa even after turning 30. Under Australian immigration law, people aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). This simply means that the visa application must be lodged before the applicant’s 31st birthday. Once the subclass 417 visa is granted, you have a further 12 months to enter Australia – meaning you could still head off on your Work & Travel adventure at the age of 32.
Taking a break from everyday life, leaving everything behind at home, starting a new chapter and experiencing new adventures – this is something many people dream of. Australia offers a range of opportunities to do exactly that. The simplest and most straightforward option is undoubtedly a Working Holiday visa. But isn’t that only for people in their twenties? That is what many people assume when they think of Work & Travel.
If you are considering taking a break or spending a year abroad after completing your studies or even after several years of professional experience, a Working Holiday visa can still be a suitable option.
For those who have missed the ideal timing for a Working Holiday visa, there are still other alternatives available. If your main focus is travelling and you do not require work rights, a tourist visa can be an option, allowing stays of up to 12 months at a time.
If you would like to work and continue your personal development, a student visa may be a suitable alternative. Australian student visas also grant limited work rights (40 hours per fortnight). You do not need to be enrolled at a university to apply for a student visa – enrolling in a longer English language course in Australia can already be sufficient.
