Working Holiday visa
Simpler requirements · reciprocal countries
For passport holders from countries with a reciprocal arrangement — including the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada. No English test or study requirement.
Australian Working Holiday Maker Program
Working Holiday Visa Australia417 & 462 Made Simple
Subclasses 417 & 462 · work, travel & extend
Live, travel and work across Australia for up to a year — and extend to a second or third year by doing specified regional work. Which subclass you get depends on the passport you hold, not the one you choose.
✓ Work & travel 12 months
✓ Extend to 2nd & 3rd year
✓ Study up to 4 months
✓ Multiple entries
417 or 462 — your passport decides
The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) let you do almost exactly the same things in Australia. The difference is who can apply: your country of citizenship determines which one is open to you, and the 462 carries a few extra requirements.
Work and Holiday visa
Extra requirements · more countries
For passport holders from a different set of countries — including the USA, Spain, China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Adds English, education and, for some countries, a ballot.
Extend your stay
Specified regional work
Complete the required specified work in a designated regional area on your first visa to qualify for a second year — and again for a third year.
417 vs 462 — the key differences
Both give you the same work and travel rights once granted. These are the differences that decide eligibility before you apply.
| Feature | Subclass 417 | Subclass 462 |
|---|---|---|
| Passport countries | Reciprocal group — UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and more | Different group — USA, Spain, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and more |
| English requirement | Generally none | Functional English required (e.g. IELTS 4.5) for most countries |
| Education requirement | None | Often 2 years of university study or a post-secondary qualification |
| Ballot | No | Yes for China, India and Vietnam — you must be selected before applying |
| Age at lodgement | 18–30, or 18–35 for eligible countries (including Canada, Ireland, UK, France, Italy, Denmark, and from 1 July 2026 Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea) | |
From 1 July 2026 your age is assessed at the moment you lodge — not when a decision is made. If you are approaching the upper limit, the deadline is 11:59 pm AEST the day before your 31st (or 36th) birthday, and there is no discretion. Getting the timing and country rules right is exactly what we check first.
Key eligibility requirements
Beyond passport and age, both subclasses share a common core of requirements — assessed at the time you apply for your first visa from outside Australia.
The basics
- A passport from an eligible country for your subclass
- Aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for eligible countries) at lodgement
- Applying from outside Australia for your first visa
- No dependent children accompanying you on the visa
Money & travel
- Sufficient funds — the Department looks for around AUD $5,000 to support your arrival
- Enough money for a return or onward fare
- Health and character requirements, including a health examination for some countries
462 extras
- Functional English evidence for most passport countries
- Tertiary education evidence — commonly two years of university study
- Ballot selection first if you hold a Chinese, Indian or Vietnamese passport
What you can do
- Work for the same employer up to 6 months (extensions possible in some cases)
- Study for up to 4 months
- Leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like while the visa is valid
Second & third year: specified work
The Working Holiday Maker program rewards regional work. Complete the specified work on one visa and you unlock the next.
Second-year visa
- Complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in a designated regional area on your first visa
- Eligible work includes plant and animal cultivation, fishing, tree farming, mining and construction
Third-year visa
- Complete 6 months of specified work during your second-year visa
- Must be done after 1 July of the relevant program arrangements — record-keeping matters
Specified-work rules, eligible postcodes and industries change — and incorrect or unverifiable evidence is a common reason second and third-year applications are refused. Keep payslips, employer details and dates from day one; we can review your evidence before you lodge.
Our professional fees
Fixed fees, payable in two instalments. Consultation fees are credited towards our agreement if you engage us.
| Service | AUD (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & assessment — online | $190 |
| Face-to-face consultation — Melbourne or Adelaide | $290 |
| Working Holiday visa application — 417 / 462 (first year) | [FEE] |
| Second or third-year visa application | [FEE] |
Professional fees only. The Government Visa Application Charge, English tests, health checks and police clearances are additional — current government charges are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. See our full fee schedule.
Government costs & the rules
Figures below apply from 1 July 2026. The application charge is non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
| Item | Detail (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge — first visa | $840 |
| Second & third-year visa | $1,000 |
| Funds to show on arrival | Around $5,000 |
| Age at lodgement | 18–30, or 18–35 for eligible countries |
| Work for one employer | Up to 6 months |
Processing times vary by country and subclass and change regularly; 462 ballot countries have their own timing and caps. Current published times are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can calculate the exact charge for your circumstances with the official Visa Pricing Estimator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 417 and 462 visa?
Both let you work and travel in Australia for up to a year, but eligibility differs by passport. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is for reciprocal countries like the UK, Ireland and Germany, with no English or education requirement. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is for a different country group like the USA, China and India, and usually adds Functional English, tertiary study, and for some countries a ballot.
How much does a working holiday visa cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the application charge for both the 417 and 462 is AUD $840 for a first visa, and AUD $1,000 for a second or third visa. The charge is non-refundable even if the application is refused. You should also budget for health checks, any English test, and around AUD $5,000 in funds to show on arrival.
What is the age limit for a working holiday visa?
The standard age limit is 18 to 30 at the time you apply. For eligible countries it is 18 to 35 — including Canada, Ireland, the UK, France, Italy and Denmark, and from 1 July 2026 also Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea. From 1 July 2026 age is assessed at lodgement, so you must apply before your 31st or 36th birthday with no exceptions.
How do I get a second or third year working holiday visa?
You extend by completing specified work in a designated regional area. Three months (88 days) of eligible regional work on your first visa qualifies you for a second year, and six months on your second visa qualifies you for a third. Eligible work includes farming, fishing, tree farming, mining and construction — keep payslips and employer records as evidence.
What is the 462 ballot and who needs it?
For certain high-demand countries — currently China, India and Vietnam — the subclass 462 uses a pre-application ballot. You register, and only if selected can you lodge a visa application, with a limited window to do so. The age requirement applies both at ballot registration and at lodgement, so timing matters if you are near the upper age limit.
Can I study on a working holiday visa?
Yes, you can study for up to four months on a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa. This makes it a flexible option for a short course alongside work and travel. If you want to study longer, you would generally need to move to a Student visa (subclass 500) instead.
Can a working holiday visa lead to permanent residency?
Not directly, but it can be a starting point. Time in Australia on a working holiday can help you build connections, and specified regional work experience may support a later move to a skilled or employer sponsored visa. Any pathway to permanent residency depends on your occupation, age and qualifications, which we can assess for your situation.
Ready for a year in Australia?
Tell us your nationality and age — we will confirm which subclass you qualify for, whether a ballot or English test applies, and how to time your application so you don't miss the age cut-off.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not migration advice. Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704 — verify on the OMARA register.