Working holiday visas are a rite of passage for many young Aussies, and the UK is a popular destination. There are a few things to think about before travelling halfway around the world though, so before booking a flight and saying your goodbyes, take a look at this guide to working holiday visas for the UK.
Australians can live in the UK visa-free for up to six months as a tourist. However, if you’re looking to do any paid, unpaid or volunteer work in the UK, you will need a working holiday visa. There are a variety of visas available on the UK Government website.
However, the most common types of working visas for Australians include:
Skilled work visa (tier 2) | You can apply for this type of visa if:
You can stay in the UK with this visa for up to five years. You may renew your visa as many times as you like as long as you’re eligible to do so. |
Youth mobility scheme visa (tier 5) | If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 you may be approved for this visa as long as you meet the following requirements:
You can stay in the UK for up to two years with this visa and you can only use this visa once in your lifetime. If you turn 31 during your stay, you can continue to stay in the UK until your visa expires. |
Information correct as of 23/12/2020 |
GOV UK has a helpful tool to determine which visa you should apply for, based on your circumstances.
There are two ways of applying for this visa – you can submit an application through the UK Government, or have an agency do it for you. Provided that you have all the correct documents, the application shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes.
Depending on the specific visa you’re on, applications from Australia will require:
Source: Gov.UK (2020). Guidance: Apply for a UK visa in Australia. Accessed 19 February 2021.
Most applications are processed in 15 days, but it can take up to 30 days. As such, it’s a good idea to apply early, even if you’re itching to book a flight during sales! Any visa will require you to follow the country’s laws for the duration of your stay, though the laws in the UK are similar to that of Australia.
Comprehensive travel insurance is advisable when going abroad. No one wants to think about the worst-case scenarios when stepping into an exciting new country, but it’s good to have a backup plan regardless.
When getting travel insurance, it’s a good idea to look out for:
There are a few things you’ll probably want to sort out as soon as you arrive in the UK if you haven’t done so already.
If you work in the UK, you will need a National Insurance Number to be paid, pay tax, and more. National Insurance is the UK’s answer to Superannuation, funding state pensions and other services such as maternity allowances and bereavement benefits. Visit GOV.UK to find out how to apply for a National Insurance Number.
All visa applicants staying in the UK for longer than six months are issued a biometric residence permit (BRP), a legally required form of identification that functions as your proof of right to stay and work in the UK. It will also give you access to any public services and benefits that you may be entitled to.
You’ll need your BRP to open a bank account and to enter and exit the UK.
Once your visa application is approved, you’ll receive a validity sticker and a decision letter, which will tell you which UK post office branch you should collect your BRP from. You will typically be given 10 days to collect your BRP.
Looking for single trip travel insurance? Compare providers here for a great deal.
Opening a UK bank account can mean you can have easy access to your money, without incurring expensive international drawing fees from using your Aussie one. It’s also a necessary task for when you begin working.
There are five ways you can set up a UK bank account:
The working holiday visa is designed so you can supplement your travels by earning an income. You are permitted to do any kind of work, with few exceptions. If you really want to travel, consider the types of jobs you are applying for. Many casual and short-term jobs often involve hospitality, but these are easier to pick up and drop when it suits your travel plans.
Many working holidaymakers arrive in London and line up a job, forgetting about the ‘holidaying’ part of the visa. Although there’s no requirement to ‘holiday’ as such, you could be missing out on experiencing other parts of the UK – there’s certainly more to explore than just the capital.
The UK is very densely populated compared with Australia, so there are plenty of towns and cities only a short train or ferry ride away. A few not to miss would be the City of York with its stunning minster and Roman heritage in the north of England, and the Lake District National Park a few clicks to the west. If stunning architecture sparks your interest, visit Oxford University and Edinburgh Castle. Where nightlife is concerned, the cities of Newcastle and Belfast give a taste of British pub culture.
There’s so much to explore in Britain and, compared to Australia, everything is so close by. From the glamour of London to having a real Guinness in Ireland; there are too many accents to count and more than a few pubs for each. It may be a good idea to plan some trips to make sure you get to do some exploring. Perhaps set yourself a working limit, before taking to the road.
When your visa is close to expiring, it’s time to leave UK shores. Here are a few things you’ll want to sort out before your flight.
During your stay, you won’t have to submit a tax return as your employer should be taking the right contributions out using your National Insurance Number. However, upon leaving the country, a P85 form needs to be filled in so your tax is adjusted and National Insurance payments stop.
The UK financial year starts on 6 April and ends on 5 April, so this will be the period covered on the P85 form. Finally, you can apply for a tax refund if you think you’ve overpaid. Speak to a qualified financial expert (e.g. an accountant) if you are unsure of how to proceed.
You will also have to report your overseas earnings with the Australian Tax Office when you return. For rules and offsets that you may need to be mindful of, read more on the ATO website.
When you arrive home, something to remember is re-enrolling to vote. While you don’t have to while working in the UK, voting in Australia is compulsory and not doing so can lead to a fine. To get back on the roll, go the Australian Electoral Commission web site. Please note that you can only enrol if you have lived at your address for at least one month, according to the AEC.
A working holiday in the UK is a great way to travel and work with minimal restriction. If you haven’t already looked at travel insurance for the UK, now’s a great time to do so! It only takes a few minutes to compare travel insurance quotes from our range of partners with our free comparison service. And the best part is, it costs the same as going direct.
If you’re travelling to multiple destinations, check out our comprehensive guide to travel insurance by destination instead.