Important
This article is general information only.
Workinitiatives does not provide migration advice, legal advice, education advice, visa eligibility assessments, or visa application support.
Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent before making decisions about a visa application.
Can I just move to Australia?
If you are not an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you will usually need a valid Australian visa before travelling to Australia.
The right visa depends on:
how long you want to stay
what you want to do in Australia
your passport country
your age
your occupation
your qualifications and work experience
whether you want to work, study, travel, or settle long-term
If you are unsure where to start, use the Department of Home Affairs Visa Finder or speak with a registered migration agent.
Can I get a working visa for Australia if I am over 30?
It depends on the visa type and your passport country.
For the Working Holiday Maker program, many applicants must be aged 18 to 30. However, some passport holders may be eligible up to age 35, depending on the visa subclass and country arrangements. For example, Department of Home Affairs information for the subclass 417 visa refers to Canadian, French, Irish and UK citizens being eligible up to 35 years old in certain Working Holiday visa pathways.
If you are over the age limit for a Working Holiday visa, you may still be able to explore other visa options, such as skilled, employer-sponsored, student, partner, or other visa pathways.
Am I legally eligible to work in Australia?
A person can legally work in Australia if they are:
an Australian citizen
an Australian permanent resident
an eligible New Zealand citizen
the holder of a valid visa with permission to work
If you hold a visa, your work rights depend on your visa conditions.
You can check your visa details and work rights through VEVO, the Australian Government’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online system.
Can I get a work visa for Australia?
Australia has many visa options that may allow work.
The visa you may be eligible for depends on your circumstances, such as:
Factor | Why it matters |
Length of stay | Some visas are short-term, temporary, or permanent |
Purpose of stay | Work, study, travel, family, or skilled migration pathways differ |
Passport country | Some visas are only available to certain passport holders |
Age | Some visa categories have age limits |
Occupation | Skilled visas may require an eligible occupation |
Work experience | Some visas require relevant experience |
Employer sponsorship | Some work visas require an Australian employer to sponsor or nominate you |
English ability | Some visas require English language evidence |
Use official Australian Government visa information to explore your options.
How long does a Working Holiday visa last?
A first Working Holiday Maker visa usually allows eligible young adults to holiday in Australia for 12 months and do short-term work and study during their stay.
Working Holiday Makers can generally work in any occupation or industry, but visa condition 8547 usually limits work with the same employer to a maximum of 6 months unless an exemption or permission applies.
Second and third Working Holiday visas may be available if you meet the requirements. For many applicants, this may include completing specified work, although some country-specific arrangements may apply.
How long does it take to apply for a Working Holiday visa?
The time it takes to complete a Working Holiday visa application can vary.
You should allow time to:
create or access your ImmiAccount
complete the application form accurately
gather identity documents
prepare financial evidence
provide any required health or character documents
upload clear colour scans or photographs of documents
respond to any further information requests
Processing times can change, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website for current information before applying.
What documents are required for a Working Holiday visa?
Document requirements depend on the visa subclass and your circumstances.
For a Working Holiday visa or Work and Holiday visa, you may need documents such as:
passport
identity documents
evidence of funds
evidence of onward travel or funds for onward travel, if required
health information, if requested
character documents, if requested
police certificate, if requested
English language evidence for some subclass 462 applicants
education documents for some subclass 462 applicants
letter of support, if required for your passport country
All documents should be clear, readable, and provided in English or with an approved translation if required.
How many types of work visas are there in Australia?
Australia has many visa options that may allow work.
These may include:
Working Holiday visas
Student visas with limited work rights
Temporary work visas
Employer-sponsored visas
Skilled independent visas
Skilled nominated visas
Regional skilled visas
Permanent employer-sponsored visas
Partner or family visas with work rights, depending on conditions
The best visa depends on your individual circumstances.
Can I get more than one Working Holiday visa?
Eligible passport holders can generally obtain a first Working Holiday Maker visa only once.
Second and third Working Holiday visa applications may be possible if you meet the relevant requirements.
Depending on your passport country and visa subclass, later Working Holiday visas may require specified work or other conditions. UK passport holders have special arrangements for certain Working Holiday visa applications lodged from 1 July 2024.
Always check the official rules for your specific passport country and visa subclass before applying.
How much does a Working Holiday visa cost?
Working Holiday visa application fees can change.
Instead of relying on an old fee amount, always check the current visa application charge on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
This applies to both:
Working Holiday visa, subclass 417
Work and Holiday visa, subclass 462
What is the difference between the 417 and 462 visas?
The Working Holiday visa subclass 417 and the Work and Holiday visa subclass 462 are both part of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program, but they apply to different passport countries and can have different requirements.
Key differences may include:
Area | Subclass 417 | Subclass 462 |
Passport country | Available to eligible passport holders from specific countries | Available to eligible passport holders from different specific countries |
Education requirement | Generally does not have the same education requirement as subclass 462 | May require an education certificate or evidence |
English requirement | Generally does not require proof of functional English | May require proof of functional English |
Government support letter | Generally not required | May be required for some passport countries |
Study | May allow study for up to 4 months | May allow study for up to 4 months |
Work | Allows short-term work, subject to visa conditions | Allows short-term work, subject to visa conditions |
Your passport country usually determines whether you apply for subclass 417 or subclass 462.
Check the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
Can a work visa be rejected?
Yes. A visa application can be refused for many reasons.
Common reasons may include:
not meeting visa eligibility criteria
providing false or misleading information
providing incorrect or incomplete documents
not meeting health requirements
not meeting character requirements
not meeting English language requirements, where required
not providing enough financial evidence, where required
not responding to requests for further information
applying for the wrong visa type
If you are unsure about your application, speak with a registered migration agent before applying.
Seeking migration advice
You may want to speak with a registered migration agent if:
you are unsure which visa to apply for
you have had a previous visa refused or cancelled
you want to stay in Australia long-term
you want to work in Australia
you are over the Working Holiday visa age limit
you are considering employer sponsorship
you need help understanding your visa conditions
you are unsure what documents to provide
You can use Migration Marketplace to browse migration specialists and book a consultation.