Applications for WHV to Australia — Documents and requirement rules

Applying for a WHV to Australia is generally a quick and straightforward process. However, there are some requirements to be aware of.

As of 2024, you need to:

• Provide the pages of your current passport (scanned) showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
• Provide evidence you have enough money for your stay in Australia. This is usually AU$5,000 or the equivalent in your home currency.
• Show that you have enough money (an additional AU$1,000 is recommended) to buy a ticket to leave Australia at the end of your stay, or that you already have the return ticket.
• Be prepared to get a medical exam or police certificate if you are asked to provide one, based on the answers you give in the application form (many applicants won’t have to do this step).

For proof of funds, you might be wondering what exactly constitutes evidence that you have enough money—kind of vague, isn’t it?

The following types of proof are generally considered acceptable:

• Your most recent bank statement or a screenshot of your bank account
• A statement from your bank representative (with proper letterhead, stamp and signature)

If your documents are not in English, they must be translated. Passports are usually printed in the language of your country of citizenship and in English, so your passport is unlikely to be an issue.

However, your bank account may not be in English. In this case, you must attach a translation of your proof of funds, merged into the same document as the original statement, screenshot or letter.

You aren’t required to use a certified translator, but the professional must specify the following information on the translation document:

• Full name
• Address
• Phone number (with area code)
• Education and experience as a translator

If you need help translating your documents, pvtistes.net has partnered with Altius Language Services to save you 10% on your translations.

Finally, note that you may be asked to provide proof of funds at the border, as well as in your application. Whilst many applicants are not asked again, some are checked at the border and can run into issues if they no longer have a minimum of AU$5,000 in the bank—you’ve been warned!