Australia is a dream destination for all backpackers. The amazing landscapes, the once in a lifetime obtainable experiences, the many outdoor activities are some absolute wonders. What more! The country has almost all of the adventures that a young and energetic mind is searching for. So, if someone says they are looking forward to backpack in Australia – there is nothing to worry about. Even more, if someone says they want to renew backpacker VISA that is absolutely normal.
No one will be able to experience all the fun things Australia has to offer in 12 months. So, you might need to get a renewal. And this ultimate guide will settle all the questions that you have on getting your backpacker VISA renewed.
Who are backpackers in Australia?
Backpackers are generally young tourists who travel around the world. The large and rugged backpacks they carry around make the name visible. There are a countless number of backpackers visiting Australia every year.
The Australian backpacker VISA allows you to stay in the country and travel while working. So, you can earn some money that you will need for your trip.
If you renew the backpackers’ VISA after completing 88 days of farm work, you get the chance to stay and travel while working for an extended period. This is one of the most fantastic opportunities if you have NOT had enough of the mind-blowing experiences Australia has to offer you!
Why do you need to renew backpacker VISA?
The main reason that you will need to renew the backpacker VISA is when you have not traveled the whole country. If you think there is much you can do with another year, you should apply for a renewal.
But if you think that you could do some more work. Or if the place you worked is expecting you to stay a little longer, you can also apply a renewal.
The main requirement is that you should be able to prove those that you showed in your initial VISA application. There are a few more things to verify your eligibility as well.
It is not easy as you think and is not harder either!
But we shall talk about those later in this article!
Can you renew the backpacker visa?
The most important question that many people have is whether you can renew backpackers VISA. People think that they are not eligible even to apply. And therefore, before anything, we will have to clarify the answers to this question.
The answer is a simple YES! Well, if you have not done anything wrong while staying in Australia, you can!
You can apply for a renewal in your temporary Australian VISA. And you can work and travel just as much as you did in the first year. If you are not sure about this, why not get free VISA advice from a registered Australian Visa consultant.
What are the options to renew VISA?
You can either apply for a second-year VISA by leaving the country or while in the country.
Say you have left the country. When you get an approval for the second year VISA, you can enter Australia within a year.
But if you are still in the country, the VISA will automatically be updated on the expiry date of your first VISA.
If you are not turning 31 years at the end of the first VISA, you are eligible to apply. So, there are no age restrictions in the options provided to you.
For more details on the second year working holiday VISA, you can refer to the official website. The official website of Australian immigration and home affairs have up to date information in renewing working VISA.
So, visit their website through https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/second-working-holiday-417.
Am I eligible to renew the backpacker visa Australia?
If you have all the requirements in the first VISA application plus the three months of regional work, you can apply.
You should not have any criminal convictions during the first year. And you have to meet the health requirements as well.
Other than that, you need to submit the following documents.
- Employment contracts
- All the payslips of your specified work
- Piecework agreements
- Bank transactions
- Earnings and payment summary to show gains for a financial year
- Tax returns
- Superannuation statements
- Employer references in a letterhead
- Deduction agreements
These stand as evidence for your stay and work covered in the first year.
You should always be careful to submit the relevant details. The Australian government will heavily punish any abuse in the efforts to get forge certificates.
When should I submit my application to renew the backpackers’ VISA?
The average processing time takes four to six weeks. So, you will have to apply at least 28 days before the expiry date of your first VISA.
But getting a head start on your application will keep you on the safe side. There is nothing to worry about. You can apply while being in Australia. The one and the only requirement is to be in the country to activate it.
But if you were outside Australia when applying to renew backpackers VISA, then you have to enter the country.
How much will it cost?
To renew backpackers, VISA is the same as getting a first backpacker’s VISA. The only difference is, having entered Australia with a subclass 417 VISA previously.
The price of renewal is as same as the price of the original VISA. So, are you have not yet finished the first year but are already planning to extend the stay? Well, start saving some funds today!
The cost to get a renewal is mentioned as AUD 485. But, note that this amount could change with the time of applying.
So, you should keep track of the records mentioned on the official website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/second-working-holiday-417
Things to consider before applying to renew backpackers VISA Australia
The main thing you should consider is your eligibility. You should have a minimum age and other requirements.
But other than that, you need to have completed three months of specified work. This means that you need to have undertaken one of the specified jobs in a regional (less populated) area.
A list of regional work is given below:
- Plant and animal cultivation
- Fishing and pearling
- Tree farming and felling
- Mining
- Construction
- And others
The below jobs are considered ineligible:
- Ship/boat building
- Social service activities
- Architecture
- Nanny jobs
- Wine tasting
- Manufacturing jobs
- Cooking or catering
- Cleaning
- Maintenance
- Maintaining animals for tourist/ recreational purposes
- Book-keeping
You really have to be aware of what is considered as specified work. You should also be careful that you avoid the much-populated regions. The areas that are populated are not considered as regional Australia.
For example, the main cities, such as Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, are not a part of regional Australia. But regions such as South Australia, Tasmania are considered local in the entirety.
So, if you were to select a less populated region, then you are basically on the safe side.
If you are after professional migration advise on how to renew Australian backpacker visa, contact our visa agents via Australia Visa Lawyer
