Further to the News Flash – WHV Scams that we posted on Nov 26, another article has appeared in the SMH titled Blitz on Working Holiday Visa Scam.

This is another review on the crackdown by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the widespread fraud in the working holiday visa program.

The working holiday visa (subclass 417) allows people to extend their stay in Australia by a year if they can prove they have worked in a rural area for three months. Applications are lodged online but have been abused by people selling Australian business numbers linked to farms so backpackers can falsely claim they worked on farms.

If you are tempted by these offers, we strongly suggest that you reconsider. The consequences are high and if you are ever interested in applying for a GSM visa as a pathway to permanent residency to Australia, this would severely impact your application.

We have previously covered the type of work that you can do to get another 1 Year WHM here.  There are also other options available – check out the GSM page or contact us for further information.