The Philippines to Offer Australians Work & Holiday Visas
Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippines to establish a reciprocal Work and Holiday Visa program. Both countries will offer up to 200 Work & Holiday visas each year to young citizens of the other country.
The agreement was announced following a recent visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Manila earlier this month, where he met with the Philippine President.
The Australian and Philippine governments have not yet agreed on a start date. But it generally takes countries around 1-2 years to implement these kinds of agreements after signing a MOU.
If all goes well, these visas could perhaps become available around 1 July 2024. (This would be at the start of the next Australian financial year, when changes to Work and Holiday visa arrangements are often implemented – but at this stage that’s just a guess.)
The Australian and Philippines governments will release further details at a later date.
What we know so far about the Philippines Work and Holiday visa for Australians
The Australian government has not provided much information yet about how these visas will work. But the Philippines government has released some details about the contents of the MOU.
So far, we know that the Philippines will offer Work and Holiday visas to Australian citizens who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Aged 18-31 years old
- Have completed tertiary education (university) or at least two years of undergraduate/post-secondary education
- Be in good health and of good character
- Have travel/health insurance covering the entire stay
The same requirements will apply to Filipinos applying for an Australian Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
Like other Work and Holiday visas, this visa will be valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed. It is valid for multiple entries into the country. Visa holders will be able to undertake short-term work and study while on holiday in the other country.
Working Holidays for Aussies will provide further details about how Australians can apply for a Work and Holiday visa for the Philippines once applications are open.
Other new Work & Holiday visa agreements
The Australian government recently launched a new Work & Holiday visa agreement with Papua New Guinea.
Australia has also agreed to launch a Work & Holiday visa program with India, but this is still in the works.
You can see here for a full list of countries that have working holiday visa agreements with Australia.
Hi. Good day. How is it 18-31 years old when you check the subclass 462 from the website, the age limit there is 18-30 years old? I am asking because I will be 31 this march. And if this will open in july, I am one of the few who will not be qualified. Can you confirm if it is really max age limit 31? that would be very awesome.
In general, you can apply until the day of your 31st birthday. So the age range is 18-30 inclusive. However, note that this visa is not yet being offered and unfortunately it probably won’t be up and running before March. 🙁
Thank you for your response sir. Would probably try a student visa. Although it’s very expensive, I don’t have a choice.
For the requirements, there’s no IELTS or any english requirements posted for filipino that given by the government. do you think the english is one of the requirements for filipino?
You can check the Australian government English language requirements here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462#Eligibility
There does not appear to be an exemption for Filipinos so “a relevant approved English language test or assessment” may be required to come to Australia with a subclass 462 visa.
Having “undertaken relevant education” also meets the English language requirement, so perhaps (for example) if you’ve studied in English at a university for multiple years, that could be sufficient. I’m not 100% sure though, sorry.
Hi! If one obtains a Work and Holiday visa, is it possible for an employer to sponsor them for a residence visa?
It may be possible to get sponsored by an employer down the track, but this wouldn’t have anything to do with the Work and Holiday visa. It’s not a case of “transitioning” from one visa to another – you’d need to meet the requirements for whichever visa you’re applying for.