On a Working Holiday in Australia? Why Not Get Some Training Along the Way!

If you're on a Working Holiday visa in Australia, you're probably already working in a café, pub, restaurant or hotel somewhere around the country. Whether you're pulling beers in a country pub, serving brunch at a busy café by the ocean or making coffee in the outback, hospitality work is one of the most common ways travellers earn money while exploring Australia. But did you know you can also use this time to gain a nationally recognised qualification?

You Can Study While on a WHV — Here’s How

Working Holiday visa holders are allowed to study in Australia for up to four months. That opens the door to short, practical courses that align perfectly with your work, such as the Certificate II in Hospitality.

This qualification can be completed in as little as three to four months and is often delivered through a work-based training model, meaning you don’t need to stop working, relocate or sit in a classroom. Access Recognised Training Australia are specialists in work-based training and have developed a program that works seamlessly from anywhere in the country.

Use Your Current Job as Your Training Ground

If you’re already employed in a hospitality job, your current café, bar or restaurant may be able to act as your training venue. With support from your employer acting as your workplace supervisor and an assessor from Access Recognised Training Australia, you can complete assessments on the job, meet with your trainer online and gain a formal qualification without disrupting your work schedule or travel plans.

It’s a flexible, practical and smart way to get more out of your time in Australia.

What Happens After Your Visa Expires?

Completing a short course during your WHV stay doesn’t just boost your skills and confidence on the job. It can also help open more doors once your current visa expires. Some travellers use it to extend their employment options or show commitment to an employer. Others simply enjoy walking away from their working holiday with more than just memories and a payslip.

If you’re working in a regional or remote area, it may also support conversations with your employer and/or a registered migration agent about longer-term options. Some regions operate under the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), which in certain cases can open up extra employment pathways for eligible workers after their current visa finishes.

Whether your goal is to stay in Australia longer, work in hospitality back home or step into a more senior role, a nationally recognised qualification is a valuable step in the right direction.

Yuki's Story: Hospitality + Training + Future Options

One example is Yuki, a traveller from Japan who spent her working holiday as a barista in Tennant Creek. With the support of her employer, she enrolled in the SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality while continuing to work full time. She didn’t need to attend a campus or give up her job. Instead, with support from her employer, she used her café as her training ground, accessed her training and assessment materials online, met regularly online with her assessor and is on track to finish within 4 months.  

Also, because Yuki's employer is a registered DAMA business, she is now considering her future employment options, which she is doing with the support of a registered migration agent.

Is This the Right Move for You?

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to grow your skills, stand out to employers or make the most of the opportunities available while you're here, completing a short hospitality course like Certificate II in Hospitality could be the perfect addition to your Australian working holiday.

You’ll finish with a nationally recognised qualification, valuable new knowledge and a real sense of achievement, all while keeping the freedom to work and travel.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Reach out to Access Recognised Training Australia to learn more about how you can enrol in the Certificate II in Hospitality and begin your study journey, wherever in Australia you happen to be.

Just a reminder, this article provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. If you’re considering extending your stay or applying for a different visa, please speak to a registered migration agent or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.