2 days ago
EXCLUSIVE I was excited to come to Australia on a working holiday visa - but here's what they DON'T tell you
A British traveller has shared one of the biggest struggles she's been faced with since moving to Australia that 'no one talks about'.
Alice Carter moved Down Under four months ago, swapping London for Sydney, but has been left fearing she'll be forced to return to the UK after struggling to find a job.
Despite plenty of experience, the former social editor has been unable to land a role in her chosen field due to the restrictions on her Working Holiday visa.
'It's been such a struggle and no one talks about it,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
UK passport holders between the ages of 18 and 35 qualify for Working Holiday visas, which allow Brits to live and work Down Under for up to three years.
As of July 2024, Brits no longer have to complete three months of farm work to apply for a second or third visa - but they cannot work for the same employer for more than six months.
Ms Carter said she believed her most recent role as social editor at UK publication The Independent made her an ideal candidate for social marketing and strategy roles in Australia.
But she has found herself in the same position time and time again where prospective employers have 'really liked her', but can't offer her a job because the visa limitations mean they will have to fill the position again in just a few months.
While the rule is explained to applicants in the fine print, what isn't explained, according to Ms Carter, is how reluctant companies are to hiring anyone on a working holiday visa.
Ms Carter said employer after employer has been wary of hiring her as she is unable to commit to a contract of longer than six months.
'I've just got off another interview and she said she really loves me and then she finds out I have my working holiday visa and then she tells me no,' she recalled in a video shared to TikTok.
'That's probably the 12th time that's happened where I've gone through a whole interview or started an interview and they've really liked me and I've really liked them.
'Then they say they can't offer the job due to my visa.'
Ms Carter said she always makes it clear on any job application that she is a Working Holiday applicant
The former social editor, who has worked with brands including Marie Claire UK, Depop and clothing brand TM Lewin, admitted she is considering returning home because she can't find work.
Ms Carter's video was flooded with comments from other Brits who had found themselves in the same situation.
One viewer said the same thing 'is constantly happening to me... starting to think Aus is no longer the dream'.
Ms Carter replied: 'Sorry to hear! I've been here four months and I can't even get hospitality, thinking to have to go home too.'
Another commented: 'Who the hell came up with the name of it like why's it called WORKING holiday if none of us can get any damn work, like???'
'It's a nightmare, I've managed 12 months at a place through a recruitment company and then working for the company itself but I'm now in the job hunting part again, job ends in two weeks and I'm dreading it,' another wrote.
'Just keep applying stay persistent I was the same you'll eventually get one that one employer who will give you a chance,' a third said.
According the the Department of Home Affairs, the rule is intended to 'provide a temporary opportunity to work while exploring and enjoying the country'.
It argues that 'tourism and travel should remain the primary focus of the visa holder's stay' and that work should only be for a 'temporary and secondary income source during a holiday'.
However, as many visitors like Ms Carter are finding out, rather than limiting work to six months, the rule is preventing any work at all.
Brits on Working Holiday visas are not subject to the six month work limitation if they work in plant and animal cultivation, natural disaster recovery, and critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, tourism and hospitality, anywhere in Australia.
Certain industries in Northern Australia, including fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, are also exempt.
In certain situations Working Holiday visa holders can ask the government for permission to extend the limitation.
You do not need to ask permission to work with the same employer for more than six months if you work in different locations, including working from home, but work in any one location must not exceed six months.
