What visa do I need to visit Western Australia?
For an extended trip, your best option is securing a Working Holiday (WH) visa. Such visas allow you to stay in Australia for up to two years and you have the legal right to work and earn a living.
There are two types of WH visas, known as Subclass 417 and Subclass 462.
The main difference between the two is that for a Subclass 462 visa you need to meet certain education requirements and be proficient in English, while Subclass 417 does not come with such requirements.
Working Holiday visas are available to young people aged 18-30 from a limited number of countries. For citizens of Canada, France and Ireland the upper age limit is 35.
What sort of jobs can I get in Western Australia?
If you don’t mind hard work, you could look for a temporary job in the mining industry. For those of you who want to be closer to nature, there’s always a need for hard-working youngsters in the region’s many farms. No experience needed.
On the other hand, Western Australia is experiencing a boom in tourism and there are plenty of jobs in this industry. Most don’t require much experience, either and they’re quite fun.
Do I need a background check to visit or work in Australia?
Yes, Australian law is strict when it comes to allowing people into the country.
For the purpose of a visa, you can apply for a police check from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) online, and the first document you’ll need is a valid passport from an eligible country.
As part of your application process for the Visa, you need to submit to a character assessment test to prove that you don’t pose a risk to the local community. Among other things you will be asked whether you have a criminal record and you’d better answer truthfully.
To be granted a visa you must not have criminal convictions totaling more than 12 months in prison on your record. Another thing is that you need to present a background check from any country where you resided for more than 12 consecutive months.
In most circumstances you’ll also have to get a background check for employment as well. So if you are working in Western Australia (WA), you can opt for a police check Western Australia from an online service provider like the ANCC or Equifax. Just look up online background check agencies, fill in your ID details and they’ll deliver your background check straight to your email.
Unfortunately, getting your WH Visa will take much more time, which is why you need to apply for it well in advance of your trip.
Article written by Sean
(Photo by pedrosz via Flickr)