Volunteer work activities will not be counted as eligible work to qualify for a second Working Holiday visa, the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Michaela Cash announced on 1 May 2015. The change is an attempt to prevent Working Holiday visa holders from being exploited by unscrupulous employers that are underpaying them and remove the incentive for visa holders to accept substandard employment conditions.
Under the current regulations, existing holders of the Working Holiday visa may extend their stay in Australia by a further 12 months if they undertake at least three months work in certain industries in regional Australia.
The actual implementation date has not yet been determined. It is expected it may take some time for the change to be introduced.