Hi!

I will be moving to Australia in November. I want to get a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa as a UK passport holder. I have read that there is a 6 month limit for holding full time employment in the same location and for the same employer under this visa, but when reading the exemptions to this I can see an exemption will be given if you "undertake work that is critical to your employer, and have attached a supporting letter from your employer to your request."

Does anyone know how strictly this is enforced? If I were to get a full time job would an employer simply need to submit a letter to say that my work is critical and the exemption would be granted? Any advice appreciated!

You have the basics correct, but there's a bit more to it than that.

If you're not working in an industry that has a blanket exemption from the 6 month rule (ie no need to apply for permission), you can apply for an exemption on the basis that your work is critical to your employer. There is no guarantee that the exemption will be granted, and both you and your employer will need to provide information about your employment and duties. Your employer would need to explain how being required to terminate your employment after 6 months would negatively affect their business to a critical level. The Department of Home Affairs can and would verify this information.

Handy hint: your employer saying you're fantastic at your job and it would be a faff to replace you wouldn't cut it. But if they can demonstrate that your continued employment is critical to the business, then you'd probably be fine. Enjoy your time in Oz