When I decided to go to Australia and started to put it into practice, I got information from various people’s blogs and cafe posts on the Internet, but I was at a loss as to where and what to prepare and how to prepare.
Actually, it’s been over a year so my memory is vague, but I still remember the overall framework, so I want to write it down.
The first thing you need to do is apply for a visa.
The first thing you need to do for a working holiday is to get your visa approved. (working holiday 1st visa – subclass 417)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417%EF%BB%BF
-This is possible through the Australian Immigration website.
If you go to the website to apply for a visa with the idea of going on a working holiday to Australia, you will be at a loss as to where to start and how to apply. (At least I did.)
but,
There is a well-explained video from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you watch this video and follow it step by step, you can easily apply regardless of your English proficiency.
(To apply for a visa, proof of balance is required. Proof of balance: You must prove that you have the minimum amount in your bank account to live in Australia. An amount of approximately 5 to 6 million won is in your bank account. You just have to prove that you do.)
In my case, I had to stop by the bank, so I received an English balance certificate from the bank. It is also possible through the Internet, such as Kakao Bank. If you search for English balance certificates, you will find many people kindly providing explanations.
The cost including fees is approximately $520AU (increased to $640AU since July 2023).
If you successfully applied for a visa, the Immigration Office will request a health form.
It is easy to understand if you think of the health form as a physical examination for visa approval.
The hospitals that accept visa physical examinations are as follows.
Seoul (cost)
Gangnam Severance Hospital (190,450₩) –
https://gs.severance.healthcare/gs/patient-carer/appointment/visa/australia.do
Sinchon Severance Hospital (181,900₩) –
https://sev.severance.healthcare/sev/patient-carer/appointment/visa/australia.do
Sahmyook University Seoul Hospital (161,000₩) –
https://visa.symcs.co.kr/app/reservation/regForm1.do
Busan (cost)
Haeundae Paik Hospital (180,000₩) –
https://www.paik.ac.kr/haeundae/user/visa/create.do?menuNo=500028
※For the visa physical examination, you must receive a health form! Sometimes you may think that you need to apply for a visa after receiving a physical examination, but this is not the case.
After receiving the health form, you must submit the results of the physical examination to the Immigration Department at the hospital to confirm whether or not your visa has been approved.
The time it takes for visa approval cannot be confirmed because it varies from person to person and situation to situation, but you should be aware that it may take approximately two weeks or longer. (Of course, it often happens quickly. In my case, my visa was approved 3 days after the physical examination.)
After receiving the physical examination, I received an email informing me that it had been submitted to the Immigration Service, and 3 days later I received this email.
If you receive a result of Granted, it means that your visa has been approved.
The visa has a validity period of one year from the moment of entry into Australia. If your visa has been approved, the first preparation for your working holiday in Australia is complete!
I’m not the type of person who makes detailed plans, so I prepared frantically, but seeing as I’ve been living here in Australia without any problems so far, I don’t think there’s any need to feel overwhelmed when it comes to preparation 🙂 I had to struggle a little more than others. All you have to do is do it.
If you feel like going, apply and think about it!