11/06/24
Working Holiday Maker Visas – Employment Limitations
Working holiday makers (WHM) are an important employee source for hospitality venues.
A WHM must hold a valid working holiday visa in order to work in Australia. There are several conditions which are attached to a working holiday visa and this may include condition 8547. This condition limits the amount of time a person can be employed by one employer to a period of 6 months.
As of 1 January 2024, an employee who holds a valid working holiday visa subject to condition 8547, may work for an employer for more than 6 months provided the employee is undertaking work in “critical sectors, including … tourism and hospitality, anywhere in Australia”. For the purposes of this exemption, tourism and hospitality work includes “hospitality workers, such as in hotels or other accommodation facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars and casinos”. (See Department of Home Affairs - click here).
This exemption will continue to apply until the Federal Government decide otherwise. Members who employ a WHM should ensure they check the Department of Home Affairs website regularly to ascertain if the exemption has ceased to apply or not, and/or check the employees current work rights via VEVO on a regular basis.
Please see the Department of Home Affairs website for more information – click here.
Members may wish to speak with the Department of Home Affairs should they have any queries.