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Worried about the background check?
Everybody makes mistakes, and maybe yours was the type that shows up during a routine background check. Legal systems vary widely throughout the world and so does what’s considered an offence, a violation, a crime, etc.
If you were charged with a crime or convicted, you are supposed to declare it when answering the character declarations in your online application. The key is to provide details and explain your situation, as each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Many WHV applicants who were involved with the legal system have had their application approved. From the feedback we get from other travellers, we notice that some applications are processed normally but, occasionally, applicants are required to provide additional details. For instance, an applicant received this:
Request Details
Other Requirements
Please provide details:
1. The offence for which you were convicted and the date of the conviction.
2. A personal account of the events leading up to and including the offence – your statement
should include the reasons for the offending behaviour, rehabilitation received and any other
relevant information, such as sentencing remarks.
3. Whether a fine was imposed by a court for the offence and for what monetary amount.
4. Whether a period of detention or periodic detention was imposed for the offence and for
what period of time.
5. Whether a sentence was imposed by a court for the offence and for what period of time
(“sentence” includes any form of determination of the punishment for an offence).
6. Whether a suspended sentence was imposed by a court for the offence (for example,
required to undertake community service).
7. Any additional information that relates to the offence.
Applicants may need to provide detailed written statements and sometimes character references to support any application in which criminal convictions are declared. In many cases, applicants with criminal convictions can still be referred to the specialist Visa Applicant Character Consideration Unit (VACCU) for more detailed scrutiny.
It may be tempting to lie to avoid potential issues during the WHV application process, but note that it will create even more problems later on:
- It’s impossible to know what databases the Government of Australia can access during a routine background check or how thorough these background checks are, so your criminal offence, violation, etc. may show up anyway. In this case, your WHV will be denied because you lied on your application—forget about the WHV or even visiting Australia in the near future.
- When travelling abroad, you will often be asked upon entering the country if you’ve ever been denied a visa. Let’s say you want to apply for a WHV for another destination—your initial lie on your Australian WHV application may be a deal breaker.
Bottom line is, make the right choice. And if you were involved in the legal system—and not as a legal professional…—make sure to apply for your WHV at least 6 months ahead of your planned departure date. Processing times can be longer if you’re asked to provide additional documents, letters, police certificates, etc.
(19) Comments
Hi, should we also enter if we have lived for more than 3 consécutive months within The EUROPE? I am an EU citizen.
Or do they mean 3 consécutive months outside of EUROPE
Thanks
Hello, 3 consecutive months in any country in the world , outside and inside Europe. 🙂
I am currently a PR holder in Australia. My wife is a UK passport holder. Can she apply for the 417 visa and attach my bank statement as proof of funds as she would be living with me during her time in Australia?
Hi Danyal, do you guys have a joint bank account?
If not, Australia doesn’t specify that having a guarantor is allowed, so you will probably need to send her the money. Then she’ll get a bank statement and can return the money to you.
To be honest, we’re not sure if they even look at the bank statements Working Holiday makers provide (especially when they process applications in 5 minutes) but I don’t want to encourage you to provide your bank statement and risk your wife’s visa being denied.
Hi Julie! Do you know if the expiry date on your passport has to be within a certain range when applying? (ie not going out of date within 6 months) Thanks a mill!
Hi Sarah, as long as your passport is valid throughout the processing of your application, it’s all good (more info here: https://pvtistes.net/en/passport-iec-working-holiday-canada/ (Case #4) 🙂
Hi Julie, this error message keeps on appearing “Based on the passport details, ___ is not eligible to apply using this online service. Ensure the passport details have been entered exactly as they display in the passport. The application will not be able to continue. Further information about eligibility is available on our website.” even though I already tripled check my details.
Hi KC-Lyn, what is your country of citizenship? 🙂
Hi Julie, thanks for all this information!
I’m in the process of applying for the visa but I noticed I do not have a copy of my highschool transcript anymore. Is this document required or will they ask me to submit a copy?
Hello, if you apply to the 417 visa, you don’t need to provide a highschool transcript 🙂 If you apply to the 462 visa (it depends on your country of citizenship), you might have to provide that type of documents: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462#Eligibility
So you don’t have to send a visa photo or anything? I’m confused?
Hi Josephine, indeed they don’t ask for a picture but as you have to scan your passport, they see your picture on it 🙂 You’ll get an e-visa with no picture on it.
Petite question, j’ai suivis le tuto corps et amés pour avoir l’erreur “Based on the passport details, CHIKER ADHAM CHAHINE is not eligible to apply using this online service. ”
Je ne sais quoi faire j’ai bel est bien check, toutes les info sont bonnes, si quelqu’un peux m’aiguiller svp
Salut ! Tu es sûr d’avoir choisi le visa 417 et pas le 462 ? Tu dois aussi vérifier que tu n’as pas fait d’erreur dans ton numéro de passeport. Reprends bien le tutoriel en français point par point pour voir si tu ne t’es pas trompé quelque part : https://pvtistes.net/dossiers/tutoriel-pvt-australie/
Hi,
thanks for the article! I have a question, maybe you can help: I applied for the visa one month before turning 31 and I was requested to do the health examinations. Unfortunately I only got an appointment in six weeks from now and will be 31 when I get the results. Will I still be eligible for the 417 visa?
Thanks so much 🙂
How did it go? I might be in a similar situation. Much appreciated.
Hi, it says in the article you can’t arrive in Australia before your 1st WHV is granted. On the Australian Immigration website it says
“You can apply for a visitor visa to come to Australia while you are waiting on an application outcome so long as the temporary visa matches your intentions”.
I’m waiting on my WHV to be granted but I’ve been granted a visitor visa also. Do you know if there would be any problems if I waited for my WHV while in Australia on my visitor visa?
Useful article, thank you! I was wondering if you’ve received any more information about if a screenshot of your account is accepted?
Hi! According the feedbacks in our facebook groups, a screenshot (in english) is accepted. 🙂
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