RACC Australia

​Upcoming changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program will provide more support to the tourism and hospitality sectors still recovering from the disruptions of COVID-19.

Previously to apply for 2nd Working Holiday visas, one needed to have three months of specified work during 1st Working holiday visa and, 6 months of specified work during 2nd Working holiday visa to be eligible for 3rd working holiday visa.

WHM visa holders working in the tourism and hospitality sectors in Northern, remote and very remote areas of Australia will be able to count this as specified work, making them eligible for a second or third WHM visa.

 

Who is eligible?

This option will be available to WHMs who lodge their applications from March 2022 and will take into account work undertaken in the tourism and hospitality sectors in these areas from 22 June 2021. 

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New Announcement

• As announced in October 2020, WHMs offshore who were unable to come to Australia or had to leave early because of COVID-19 will be able to apply for a replacement visa with nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) from 1 July 2021.

• Eligible current and former WHMs in Australia will also be able to apply for a replacement WHM visa with nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) from March 2022, providing another opportunity to meet the specified work requirements for a subsequent WHM visa. 

• Former WHM visa holders who have transitioned to another visa, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa, may also be eligible to apply for a nil VAC replacement WHM visa. 

• As announced on 8 May 2021, tourism and hospitality have been added to the list of COVID-19 critical sectors. This allows all WHMs employed in the tourism and hospitality sector to work longer than six months for one employer without requesting permission and gives more flexibility to tourism and hospitality employers to meet their workforce needs. 

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Migration
Along with these Changes on 22 June 2021, Chef is also included in the 'Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List'.

Different states and regions are also incentivizing the Chef occupation; for example, if you take up a Commercial Cookery Course in Canberra, you may be eligible to get up to 20 additional PR points. 

 

If you seriously want to consider a career in Chef, you can talk to our Education Team and book a Free Consultation Scholarship, Study options, and Migration pathway with a Hospitality and Chef related Occupation.
Book your Free Consultation via this link:
www.racc.net.au/migration-agent-education-agent