You’ve made the most of your Australian adventure: the beaches, the road trips, the mates you’ll know for life, and a few lessons you didn’t see coming. So what’s next?
If your visa is coming to an end and you’re wondering how to stay longer and turn all that experience into a proper career, this one is for you. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Study Destination Australia for a free online webinar, just for the Irish Around Oz community.
From Backpacker to Professional: Start Building Your Career in Australia
- When: Thursday 5 November 2026, 6pm Melbourne and Sydney time (AEDT)
- Where: online, so you can join from anywhere
- Cost: free
- Who: education experts from Study Destination Australia, with a live Q&A
Why now? The rules changed on 2 October
From 2 October 2026, most people have to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) from outside Australia, unless they hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption. That includes people on a working holiday visa. You can read the details on the Home Affairs Student visa page.
In plain English, you can’t leave it until the last week of your working holiday visa any more. If study is part of your plan, you need to start planning early. That’s exactly what this session is for.
What you’ll learn
- How to turn your Australian experience into new career opportunities
- Study pathways that could help you work towards your professional goals
- How to make the most of the skills, qualifications and experience you already have
- Practical next steps to plan your future in Australia
- A live Q&A to get your own questions answered
No pressure, just honest information about what’s possible. Even if you’re not sure what you want yet, it’s a good place to start.
What time is that for me?
| Where you are | Thursday 5 November |
|---|---|
| Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart | 6pm |
| Adelaide | 5:30pm |
| Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast | 5pm |
| Darwin | 4:30pm |
| Perth | 3pm |
| Ireland | 7am |
Who it’s for
- You’re on a working holiday visa and want to stay on after it ends
- You have a trade, a degree or work experience from home and want to build on it here
- You’re weighing up study, a new career, or heading home, and want the facts before you decide
Still sorting out the basics? Our guides to the working holiday visa, regional work and the 88 days and your working holiday tax refund have you covered. And if you decide home is the next step, here’s our moving back to Ireland guide.
Save your spot
Free, online, and exclusive to the Irish Around Oz community. Thursday 5 November, 6pm Melbourne time.
This webinar is run in partnership with Study Destination Australia, and Irish Around Oz may receive a referral fee when you register through our link. The session gives general information about study and career pathways. It isn’t migration advice, so for advice on your own visa situation, talk to a registered migration agent.