What is a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia?
A Working Holiday in Australia is more than just a trip, it’s your chance to live, work, and travel across one of the most beautiful and exciting countries in the world. Picture this: swimming in the clear waters of Queensland, hiking in the red outback, or enjoying the cafes and nightlife of Melbourne. You can do all this while earning money and meeting people from all over the world. Each year, over 200,000 young travellers from more than 45 countries come to Australia a WHV. It’s popular with people from the UK, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Ireland, and Italy, just to name a few. Whether you're here to improve your English, take a break after studies, or just want an epic adventure, this visa is made for you. You can: Live in Australia for up to 12 months Work and earn money while travelling Extend your visa for a 2nd or even 3rd year (if you meet the conditions)
of heading off on a gap year can feel overwhelming. That’s why OZ Travel Mates is here to guide you every step of the way. Our "Essential Kit" provides everything you need for a smooth arrival, including a SIM card, Tax File Number (TFN), superannuation setup, and a city e-book. For a more tailored experience, our "Welcome to Melbourne" offers extra support, like consultations, packing lists, airport pickups, and accommodation arrangements. Australia offers two types of working holiday visas: the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. The one you can apply for depends on your home country. Ready to make the most of your Australian adventure? This guide has everything you need to know about applying for a working holiday visa and getting the most out of your time Down Under!
Key fact about Australia
Capital City: Canberra
• Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Language: English
• Population: Approximately 26.9 million
• Transport: Extensive public transport network, including trains, buses, ferries, and light rail
systems in major cities
• Land Area: 7.68 million km² - about 13.9 times larger than France
• Area Code: +61
• Time Zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time
(ACST), Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), with daylight saving time observed in
some states (AEDT, ACDT) • Climate: Ranges from tropical in the north to temperate and arid in the south • Unique Wildlife: Home to kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, and diverse marine life including the Great Barrier Reef • Great Barrier Reef: The world's largest coral reef system, a UNESCO World Heritage site • Iconic Landmarks: Sydney Opera House, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Great Ocean Road, and the Twelve Apostles • Cultural Diversity: One of the most multicultural countries, with significant communities from all over the world • Indigenous Culture: Rich heritage from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with traditions and cultures that have existed for over 65,000 years
The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)
are temporary visas that allow young travellers to visit, work, and study in Australia. The
visa is available to individuals aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for citizens of France, Ireland,
Canada, Italy, Denmark, and the UK).
The visa is typically valid for one year, but it can be extended for up to two more years if
you meet certain requirements. After your visa is granted, you must enter Australia
within one year.
The specific visa available to you (417 or 462) depends on your country of citizenship,
and these visa programs are usually reciprocal. This means young Australians can also
travel and work in partner countries with similar arrangements.
As of July 2024, the visa costs $650.
If you work while on a Working Holiday Visa, your earnings are taxed at 15% if your
income is below $45,000 per year. Additionally, your employer will pay superannuation
(a retirement contribution), which is 11% of your salary. You can access your
superannuation when you leave Australia, but keep in mind that it is taxed at a rate of
65%.
Once you’re granted a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa, you’ll have 12 months
to enter Australia. From the day you arrive, your visa allows you to stay for up to one
year, with the option to apply for a second or third-year visa if you meet the
requirements.
During your working holiday, you can:
• Explore Australia’s beautiful landscapes and cities
• Take on short-term jobs to help fund your travels
• Study for up to 4 months
• Leave and re-enter Australia as often as you like while your visa is valid
While on a working holiday, there are no restrictions on the type of work you can do, and
you don’t have a limit on how many hours you can work per week, unlike student visa
holders. However, you can generally only stay with the same employer for up to six
months.
The Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa allows young travelers from eligible countries
to live, work, and explore Australia for up to 12 months. It’s one of the most popular visa
options due to its straightforward application process and fewer requirements
compared to other working holiday visas.
Countries Eligible for the Subclass 417 Visa
Citizens from the following countries can apply for the subclass 417 visa, provided they
meet age and other basic requirements:
Countries Eligible for the Subclass 417 Visa
Country
Age Limit
Other Require-
ments
Belgium
18–30 years
Must not have previously held the visa
Canada
18–35 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
Denmark
18–30 years
Must hold a valid passport
Estonia
18–30 years
Must not have children with you
Finland
18–30 years
Must not have previously held the visa
France
18–30 years
Must not have children with you
Germany
18–30 years
Must not have held the visa before
Ireland
18–30 years
Must hold a valid passport
Italy
18–30 years
Must be from an eligible region
Japan
18–30 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
Latvia
18–30 years
Must be from an eligible region
Lithuania
18–30 years
Must hold a valid passport
Luxembourg
18–30 years
Must not have previously held the visa
Malta
18–30 years
Must not have children with you
Netherlands
18–30 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
Norway
18–30 years
Must hold a valid passport
Sweden
18–30 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
South Korea
18–30 years
Must hold a valid passport
United Kingdom
18–30 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
Canada
18–35 years
No previous Working Holiday visa holders
Estonia
18–30 years
Must not have children with you
Finland
18–30 years
Must not have previously held the visa
Germany
18–30 years
Must not have held the visa before
Requirements to Apply for a Subclass 417 Visa
If you're thinking about applying for a first-year Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417),
here’s what you need to know:
• You must be between 18 and 30 years old when you apply (or up to 35 years old if you're
from certain eligible countries).
• You need to have at least AUD 5,000 in savings, plus enough money to buy a return
flight home.
• You should be in good health.
• You’ll need to agree to the "Australian Values Statement."
• Your application must be made while you're outside of Australia.
You won’t be eligible for this visa if:
• You’ve previously held a subclass 417 or 462 visa, no matter which passport you used.
• You’re traveling with dependent children.
• You or a family member have unpaid debts to the Australian government.
• You’ve had a visa cancelled by Australia before.
• You have a serious criminal record.
For complete information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website
The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa allows citizens from 29 countries, in addition
to those eligible for the subclass 417 visa, to live and work in Australia for up to a year.
While the subclass 462 visa is similar to the subclass 417, there are a few extra
requirements. These might include specific educational qualifications and proof of
English language skills. In some cases, applicants also need a letter of endorsement
from their home government.
The Australian government places annual limits on how many subclass 462 visas can
be granted to applicants from each eligible country. Although these limits are typically
high, countries like Indonesia, Ecuador, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Mongolia, Thailand,
Turkey, and Switzerland often hit their quotas quickly.
These quotas reset every year on July 1st, so if you're from a country with high demand,
it's a good idea to apply early in July to increase your chances of securing a visa and
government approval.
Nationalities that can apply for a subclass 462 visa
Eligible citizens from the following countries can apply for an Australian Work and
Holiday visa:
Nationalities that can apply for a subclass 462 visa
Country
Age Limit
Specific
Require-
ments
Annual Quota
Argentina
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
3,400
Austria
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
Brazil
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
Chile
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
3,400
China
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
5,000
Czech Republic
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
Ecuador
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
100
Greece
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
Hungary
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
Indonesia
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
4,612
Israel
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
2,500
Luxembourg
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
100
Malaysia
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
1,100
Mongolia
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
100
Papua New Guinea
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
100
Peru
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
1,500
Poland
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
1,500
Portugal
18-30
Must have a secondary school qualification or higher
500
The Australian government will add India and the Philippines to this list in the near future.
What you need to apply for a subclass 462 visa
To apply for a first-year Australian Work and Holiday (462) visa, you would need to meet
the following requirements:
• Be aged 18-30 at the time of your application
• Have at least AUD5,000 in savings, plus enough money to buy a plane ticket
home from Australia
• Have a tertiary qualification (e.g. a university degree) or have completed at least
two years of undergraduate study – note, exact requirements vary by nationality
• Speak English at a level considered at least “functional”
• Be in good health
• If you’re from one of the countries where this is required, have a letter of support
from your government
• Agree to the “Australian Values Statement”
• Be outside of Australia at the time of your application
You cannot get this visa if:
• You have previously held a 417 or 462 visa in Australia (even if you applied using
a different passport)
• You would be accompanied by dependent children
• You or a family member have outstanding debts to the Australian government
• You have a substantial criminal record
• You have previously had an Australian visa cancelled
See the Department of Home Affairs website for full details.
You can apply for your Australian Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa online. This
earliest date you can apply is up to a year before you intend to arrive in Australia.
Use the links below to the Department of Home Affairs website for full instructions and
to apply for:
• Your first Working Holiday (417) visa
• Your first Work and Holiday (462) visa
To apply:
1. Login to HomeAffairs
2. Go to “Apply”
3. Create an account “Create an ImmiAccount”
4. Click the first link of the table “First Working Holiday Visa”
5. Complete the form (about 15 min).
6. Pay online $650 non-refundable (price as at July 2024)
7. Once payment is made, you will receive a Transaction Reference
Number (TRN) that you need to keep – You can track and follow your application
online through your immi account
Processing time
The timeframe for obtaining a visa is quite variable. It is sometimes granted within
minutes or less than 24 hours, but in other cases it can take a month to a month and a
half, or longer.
Once it is granted you will receive an email with the attached document. We recommend that you print it.
To qualify for a second-year Australian Working Holiday visa, you need to complete a
minimum of 88 days (approximately 3 months) of "specified work" during your first visa.
For a third-year visa, you must complete at least 179 days (around 6 months) of
"specified work" during your second year in Australia.
The required number of days includes weekends and days off, provided you work fulltime hours for at least 5 days a week during your employment. You can also
accumulate the necessary days by combining multiple shorter periods of "specified
work" to meet the requirements for extending your visa.
At OzAssist, we can help simplify your search for "specified work" through our
comprehensive farm job listings. These listings are available as a standalone option by
subscribing to our plan or as part of our Work Assist package. This service is designed
to make your job search easier and more efficient, supporting you in meeting your visa
extension requirements.
From 1 July 2024, UK citizens are exempt from the specified work requirement.
During your Australian working holiday, you’re free to do almost any type of work. But
only jobs in approved industries and locations can be counted as “specified work” for
the purpose of extending your working holiday.
Most “specified work” jobs are in hospitality or primary industries, and must be in
regional or remote areas.
Here’s the full list of approved “specified work” for 417 and 462 visa holders:
Industry
Eligible work locations
Tourism and hospitality
Northern Australia Remote and very remote Australia
Plant and animal cultivation
Regional Australia (417 visa) or Northern Australia/specified regions (462 visa)
Fishing and pearling
Regional Australia (417 visa) or Northern Australia (462 visa)
Mining (417 visa only)
Regional Australia
Tree farming and felling (462 visa only)
Northern Australia
Construction
Regional Australia (417 visa) or Northern Australia/specified regions (462 visa)
Bushfire recovery work
Declared bushfire affected areas
Natural disaster recovery work
Natural disaster affected areas
Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors
Anywhere in Australia
Many backpackers choose to work on farms (for example, picking fruit) or in hospitality.
Some examples of jobs that count as specified work in tourism and hospitality include:
• Chefs
• Waiters
• Bartenders
• Hotel receptionists
• Tourist guides
• Outdoor activity instructors
• Tourist transport services
• Museum or gallery workers
• Conference and event organizers
Most types of specified work only count if you are employed in a regional or remote
location.
Most of Australia is classified as regional or remote, except for:
• Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast & Wollongong
• All of the ACT (Canberra)
• Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast
• The Melbourne metropolitan area
• Perth and surrounding areas
There are specific postcodes that are considered remote and very remote Australia.
You can find the full list on the Department of Home Affairs website, along with a
complete overview of all the specified work conditions and requirements.
Congratulations on securing your Working Holiday Visa! Your Australian adventure is
just around the corner, and it’s time to get everything sorted for an unforgettable
experience.
1. Celebrate Your Big Win!
First things first—take a moment to celebrate! This is a huge milestone, and you’ve
earned it. Pop some champagne, blast your favorite music, and share the exciting
news with your loved ones. You’re officially on your way to living the dream in
Australia!
2. Plan Your Adventure
Here’s where the fun begins: planning your journey. Dive into YouTube travel vlogs,
read inspiring blogs, and create a bucket list of must-see places and must-do
experiences. Whether you want to kick things off with work or jump straight into
exploring Australia’s stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and incredible outback, this is
your time to dream big.
3. Get Your Practical Stuff Sorted
While the planning is thrilling, there are a few essential tasks to tackle:
• Book Your Flights: Use flight comparison tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights
to score the best deals.
• Sort Out Travel Insurance: Popular options for backpackers include Chapka
and World Nomads. If you book any of our services, we’ll hook you up with a
discount on World Nomads insurance!
• Boost Your Savings: You’ll need at least $5,000 AUD in your bank account for the
visa, but it’s a good idea to save extra. Australia is packed with once-in-a-lifetime
experiences, and having a financial cushion ensures you can fully enjoy your trip
without stress.
• Plan Your Accommodation: Start with a hostel—it’s an affordable and social way
to settle in. Plus, it’s a great place to meet fellow travelers. Check out our
Melbourne Arrival Essential for access to partner hostels that will make your
arrival smooth and enjoyable.
• Other To-Dos: Cancel unnecessary subscriptions, notify your bank about your
travel plans, and get your documents in order.
4. Reach Out to Us
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. We’re here to make your
transition to Australia seamless. The more prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy
the experience.
Explore our tailored services, like the Quick Start Kit which includes everything you
need to hit the ground running, or the Melbourne Arrival Essentials, which offers
comprehensive pre-departure support. With us by your side, you’ll arrive in Australia ready to make the most of your adventure.
Your Australian journey is just around the corner, and we’re excited to help you make
it extraordinary!
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