New legislative instruments were registered yesterday to pave the way for volunteer and other work in bushfire affected areas to count towards “specified work” for Subclass 417 - Working Holiday visas and “specified Subclass 462 work” for Subclass 462 - Work and Holiday visas for second and third Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas. An issue, however, has arisen as to when this work will apply and to whom.

An announcement by the acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs yesterday will provide benefits to the bushfire affected areas with changes to how long Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) can work for any one employer, and making amendments to allow volunteer work and some construction activities in these regions.

Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visas are subjects to varying caps of the number of visas that can be granted each program year, the exception being the United States of America which has no cap. For those countries that do not require evidence of government support, their citizens will need to be vigilant if there is high demand for this visa as they may be prevented from being granted one if the cap is reached. Luckily there is a webpage available that monitors their availability.