Working Holiday visas are commonly used by young travellers who want to experience Australia while working to help fund their stay.
Important
This article is general information only.
Workinitiatives does not provide migration advice, legal advice, visa eligibility assessments, or visa application support.
Visa requirements, eligible countries, age limits, costs, and conditions can change. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent before making visa decisions.
What is a Working Holiday visa?
A Working Holiday visa allows eligible passport holders to have an extended holiday in Australia and work during their stay to help fund their trip.
Depending on your passport country, you may need to apply under one of these visa subclasses:
Visa subclass | General description |
Working Holiday visa, subclass 417 | For eligible passport holders from certain countries |
Work and Holiday visa, subclass 462 | For eligible passport holders from certain countries, with some additional requirements |
Your passport country usually determines whether you apply for subclass 417 or subclass 462.
The Department of Home Affairs states that a first subclass 417 Working Holiday visa allows eligible people aged 18 to 30 to have their first extended holiday in Australia and work to help fund their trip. Some eligible passport holders may have a higher age limit depending on country arrangements.
The Department of Home Affairs states that a first subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa allows eligible people aged 18 to 30 to have an extended holiday in Australia and work to help fund their trip.
What can you do on a Working Holiday visa?
A Working Holiday visa may allow you to:
live in Australia temporarily
travel around Australia
work while you are in Australia
study for a short period
leave and re-enter Australia while the visa is valid
apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa if you meet the requirements
You must follow the conditions attached to your visa.
First Working Holiday visa
A first Working Holiday visa may be available if you:
hold a passport from an eligible country
are within the required age range
meet health and character requirements
have enough money to support yourself when you arrive
meet the relevant subclass 417 or subclass 462 requirements
have not previously held certain Working Holiday Maker visas, depending on the subclass
For subclass 462, some applicants may also need to meet education, English, or government support requirements depending on their passport country.
Second Working Holiday visa
A second Working Holiday visa may be available if you meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
Depending on your subclass and passport country, this may include completing a required period of specified work in an eligible industry or location.
Specified work rules can vary between subclass 417 and subclass 462, so always check the official Department of Home Affairs requirements for your specific visa subclass.
Third Working Holiday visa
A third Working Holiday visa may be available if you meet the requirements after holding a second Working Holiday visa.
For many applicants, this may include completing a longer period of specified work.
For subclass 462, the Department of Home Affairs states that applicants generally need to have completed at least 6 months of specified work to be eligible for a third Work and Holiday visa.
Working Holiday visa work conditions
Working Holiday visa holders can usually work while in Australia, but work conditions may apply.
For example, there may be limits on how long you can work for the same employer unless an exemption applies.
You should always check your visa grant notice or use VEVO to confirm your exact visa conditions.
Study while on a Working Holiday visa
Working Holiday visas may allow short-term study while you are in Australia.
If your main goal is to study in Australia, a Student visa may be more suitable.
Where to check official information
Use the Department of Home Affairs website for the most accurate and current information about:
Working Holiday visa, subclass 417
Work and Holiday visa, subclass 462
eligible passport countries
age limits
first, second, and third visa requirements
specified work requirements
visa conditions
application costs
processing times
Seeking migration advice
You may want to speak with a registered migration agent if:
you are unsure whether subclass 417 or subclass 462 applies to you
you are close to the age limit
you want to apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa
you are unsure whether your work counts as specified work
you have had a previous visa refused or cancelled
you want to stay in Australia longer after your Working Holiday visa
you want to explore employer sponsorship, student, skilled, or permanent visa pathways
You can use Migration Marketplace to browse migration specialists and book a consultation.