|
Australian Visa Information: Electronic Travel Authority : Gap Year Working Holidays : Student Visas
|
|
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITIES: (ETA) (updated 01 April 2008)
An ETA is issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in real time through the web if applying direct using the Internet, or through travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world.
Internet ETA’s are currently available for:
Tourists and Short Stay Business travellers, multiple visits with a maximum stay of three months per visit.
In both cases the visa has a 12 month validity from date of the grant of the ETA or to the expiry date of your passport, whichever is the earlier. You may enter Australia up until the last day of the validity of the ETA and may then stay in Australia for up to three months. Employment is prohibited.
Travelling with Family
All family members must have a visa or ETA to travel to Australia. The Internet ETA system can be used to apply for an Internet ETA for members of your family travelling with you provided they also fall within the ETA eligibility criteria. Even if your children travel on your passport they will need ETAs. When you apply, you will need to enter the passport details exactly as for your own passport, replacing the name, date of birth, sex and country of birth with your children's details as they appear in your passport.
Internet ETA Documentation
To apply online for an Internet ETA you will need: A current, valid passport for each traveller, and a valid credit card (cost is $20 Australian Dollars.) Your application will be processed while you are on-line. You will be informed of the result of your application before leaving the Internet ETA system.
As part of the application/approval process, you will be issued with a reference number. This number applies only to ETAs issued through this online ETA system. If you have been issued an ETA through an Australian *DIAC office (*Department of Immigration and Citizenship) or by a travel agent or an airline office, you will not be able to use the public online ETA web site to check your ETA.
Where you want to check your ETA issued using the public ETA web site, you will need the reference number. You will be given the option to print out the confirmation screen with the reference number when you apply for your ETA. Note that this print out has no official status and will not be accepted by either airline staff or border protection authorities in Australia.
Note: Important: changes to ETA application processing from April 2008
From 21 April 2008, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship is implementing changes to the ETA system. The department will continue to process most ETA applications instantly; however, in a small number of cases, some additional processing will be required. If your ETA cannot be issued immediately please check back 12 hours after you apply to confirm whether your application has been successful. Please apply for your ETA as early as possible prior to travel to allow sufficient time for your application to be processed.
nths with stays of up to 3 months on each visit, and can be used for single or multiple entry travel.
Payment of the charge does not guarantee that the application will be successful. The Service Charge is applied to recover the cost of running this service. As successful and unsuccessful applications use system resources, the charge is non-refundable.
Visitor ETA conditions
Valid for visits to Australia for tourism or to visit friends or relatives
Valid for multiple visits within 12 months from date of issue
Maximum length of each visit is three months
You must not work while in Australia
Short Validity Business ETA conditions
For visits to Australia for business meetings, conventions and conferences
Work is not allowed; except for a very short period to undertake work not able to be done by any Australian citizen or permanent resident
Valid for multiple visits within 12 months from date of issue
Maximum length of each visit is three months
Not for acting, musical performances or commercial film making; in these cases, apply for an Entertainment visa. See: Entertainment visa (subclass 420)
Generally, people seeking paid employment in Australia should apply for:
Temporary Business Entry Long Stay (subclass 457) visa, or other appropriate class of visa
Important: You may not be permitted to enter Australia unless you are in good health & have no criminal convictions.
Important! ETA’s cannot be granted, or extended, in Australia.
Extended Visits to Australia (over three months)
If you are travelling to Australia for more than 3 months you will need a subclass 676 visa. The main purpose for your visit with this visa is usually for holiday, recreation or to visit family and friends. It can also be used for other non work purposes such as study for less than 3 months.
Working Holidays (Gap Year Visits)
British backpackers (under 30) can visit Australia for a 1 year stay.
You can also extend your stay. Cost: Working Holiday Visa Cost
Tax File Number
If you are going to Australia for a working holiday you will need to arrange a tax file number before you start working in Australia, as most employers will require your Australian tax file number before you are allowed to start work with them. You can actually work without a Tax File Number but you will be paying the top rate of tax - which his very expensive. With a tax file number, you will be taxed at a much lower rate (about 29% of income) You can start work without a Tax File Number as you have 28 days in which to obtain one. Its not difficult to obtain - simply visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) (they have offices in all major cities) and complete the forms. Note that you will also have to provide current identification such as passport, driving licence etc. You can also apply for your tax file number online before you leave the UK. Also, when you apply for your tax file number online, the tax file registration system compares this information with the information you provided from your working holiday visa application which is held on the DIMIA systems
To apply for a Tax file number online:
Australian Taxation Office website.
Tax Returns
The Australian financial year ends on 30th June and you have to complete a tax return for the year ending 30th June, and you usually will get a refund. The Australian tax system is a bit more complex than the UK tax system and it can be a good idea to get a tax specialist (HR Block) t odo your return. They are not expensive and usually charge abut £150 ( Approx £65)
Working Holiday Extensions:
To be eligible for an extension working holiday makers must have worked as a seasonal worker in Regional Australia for a minimum of three months while on their first Working Holiday visa to be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa which allows an extra 6 month stay. Applicants also need to demonstrate that they continue to meet the requirements for a Working Holiday visa. These include, but are not limited to :
1. Being aged between 18 and 30
2. Having no dependents; and
3. Being a citizen of a country named in the working holiday maker reciprocal arrangements
(Seasonal work is defined as: picking fruit, nuts and other crops, pruning and trimming vines and trees, general maintenance crop work and other work associated with packing or processing the harvest. Regional Australia includes anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the ACT.)
If you intend to apply for a second Working Holiday visa, you will need to provide evidence that you have worked for a minimum of three months as a seasonal worker in regional Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa.
Information about harvest work opportunities in regional Australia can be found at the Harvest Trail Website
Australian Embassies in UK: (Note: they do not allow personal visits or appointments)
England
Australia High Commission,
Australia House,
The Strand,
London
WC2B 4LA
Tel: (020) 7379 4334
www.australia.org.uk
Ireland:
Australian Embassy
Fitzwilton House
Wilton Terrace
Dublin 2
Tel (01) 6761517
www.australianembassy.ie
Student Visas
Is quite complex and you should proceed from here direct to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for a full explanation of the different types of visas, rules and applications.
More Information on Student Visas can be obtained here:
Further information on all types of Australian Visas can be found HERE:
|
|
