All visas under the Working Holiday Maker program come with a work limitation condition attached. This is condition 8547. Condition 8547 limits the visa holder from working for one employer for more than 6 months unless permission has been given in writing from the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).

From 1 January 2024, a wide variety of exemptions have been provided to enable individuals to work for a single employer for more than 6 months without obtaining permission. The exemptions cover the following types of work:

• in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
• in aged care and disability services, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in northern Australia only
• natural disaster recovery work
• in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, anywhere in Australia
• in the critical sector of tourism and hospitality anywhere in Australia.

How do I calculate the 6-month period?

The 6-month period starts on your first day of employment and covers full-time, part-time, casual, shift and voluntary work. Regardless of the number of hours you work each day or week, the 6-month period starts on your first day of work.

What if my employment is not covered by an exemption and my employer wants me to work beyond the 6 months?

If your work is not covered by an exemption, you will need to apply for permission to work beyond the 6 months and you should do this before the 6-month period lapses.

Contact our team if you need any assistance with your working holiday maker program or any other visa and migration services.