Australia’s Working Holiday (subclasses 417 & 462) program offers young travelers the opportunity to explore the country while funding their adventures through short-term employment. Recent changes have extended the age limit for certain nationalities, allowing more individuals to take advantage of this unique experience.
Table of Contents
Age Limit Increased to 35 for Some Nationalities
Countries with age increased
This is great news for travellers over 30 years old from a few countries! Indeed, the age eligibility for applying for an Australian Working Holiday Visa expanded to 35 years for some nationalities!
- In 2018, Working Holiday Visa Australia age limit increased to 35 years for Canadian and Irish citizens.
- In 2019, it was France that announced the same change !
- Since 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia has also increased by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age. Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark.
- And finally, since July 2023, the age limit increased to 35 years for UK passport holders!
Migration Act Extract
Those changes can be seen in Schedule 1—Countries or regions, passport conditions and age requirements in the instrument Migration (Arrangements for subclass 417 visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/051) 2022 and Migration (Arrangements for subclass 417 visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/047) 2023.
It is also noted on the immigration website under the ‘age condition’ for a WHV.
Australian legislation clearly defines the age limit for Working Holiday visa makers :
(2) The applicant:
(a) holds a working holiday eligible passport of the kind, or of one of the kinds, specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister for the purposes of this subclause; and
(b) is aged at least 18 and no more than:
(i) 35; or
(ii) if a younger age is specified in the instrument mentioned in paragraph (a) for the kind of passport the applicant holds—that younger age.
Therefore if no age is specified, it means that the age limit is 35 years old.
Other partner countries (such as Germany) are still in the process to amend the bilateral Working Holiday Maker agreement expanding the eligibility age to 35.
In Summary: 🧑🎓 Who Can Apply Up to Age 35?
As of 2023, citizens from the following countries can now apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) up to the age of 35 (inclusive):
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Denmark
For all other eligible countries, the age limit remains at 30 years.
For UK Passport Holders 🇬🇧
The UK – Australia Free Trade Agreement has entered into force and the age limit for UK passport holders has been increased to 35 since July 2023.
With the agreement, UK passport holders are able to:
- apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive since 1 July 2023
- can be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without having to meet any specified work requirements. These arrangements apply to all Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa applications lodged by UK passport holders on or after 1 July 2024.
UK passport holders, including those who previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa using a different eligible passport, do not have to meet the specified subclass 417 work requirement when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa on or after 1 July 2024.
More info : UK – Australia FTD
Key Points About the Age Limit
- Application Timing: You must apply for the WHV before your 36th birthday.
- Visa Granting: It’s acceptable if the visa is granted after you turn 35, as long as the application was submitted before your 36th birthday.
- Multiple Visas: Eligible individuals can apply for up to three WHVs, each requiring specific regional work (UK passport holders exempted).
Extending Your Stay: Second and Third WHVs
People currently on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia (subclasses 417 or 462) and over 30 years old, are eligible to apply for a second or third year visa if they are from France, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Denmark and UK.
For Subclass 417 visa holders, you’re eligible to apply for a second year if you have completed three months (or 88 days) of specified work in regional areas of Australia during your first year visa. This work often includes farming, fishing, mining, and construction. Holders of a second Subclass 417 visa can apply for a third year by undertaking six months of specified work in specified regional areas during their second year.
For Subclass 462 visa holders, a second year is possible if you complete three months (or 88 days) of specified work in northern Australia in certain industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. As with the 417 visa, a third year is possible for 462 visa holders who complete six months of specified work during their second year.
Benefits of the WHV Program
- Work Opportunities: Engage in various short-term jobs to fund your travels.
- Cultural Exchange: Experience Australian culture firsthand.
- Travel Flexibility: Explore Australia’s diverse landscapes and cities.
- Extended Stay: Possibility to extend your stay up to three years with additional regional work.
Countries need to wake the fuck up and realize that there is no need to limit people willing to work by age. On top of that 30, sometimes 35…like what? I would understand maybe 50 due to health concerns. There are bunch of people who got stuck in their cubicle after college and want to explore world while getting cash only to realize being “too old” in their 30s.
If I have been on the working holiday visa 1st year when I was 21 but not completing the farm work and now I’m 30 looking to apply for the 2nd year is this a possibility of happening?
Hi AJ, yes if you hold a UK passport 🙂
Hi dose anyone no how long it is before you can apply for pr after being sponsored heard it was 2 years and dropping to 1 year thanks
Finally, after almost a year of having my visa, I’m flying out to Brisbane this coming wednesday!
I’m both scared and excited at the same time ahhhh
Hi,
I completed a 1 year WHV back in 2012/13. I did not complete any regional work back then.
Is the requirement for 3 month regional work still set to be removed on July 1st 2024? I am now 34 and looking to apply for a 2nd WHV.
Hi Marc
Yes you should be able to apply after 1st July. Cheers
Hi how is it before you need to apply for second visa couple months before first 1 runs out ?
Hi I’ve landed in Brisbane and have a job next couple of weeks how dose it work with working for the same company for more than 6 months as this job is long term also how long is it before I apply for my 2nd year visa and how do I do it thanks
Hi Tony,
From 1 January 2024, until further government decisions, you can work for the same employer in Australia for more than 6 months without asking permission if your work is:
in different locations and work in any one location does not exceed 6 months
in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
in certain industries, including aged care and disability services, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in northern Australia only (see Northern Australia)
natural disaster recovery work
in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, anywhere in Australia
in the critical sector of tourism and hospitality anywhere in Australia.
Hi peeps am moving to Brisbane on
30th Jan on my 417 just wondering what travel insurance to take out with me Gona be gone for at 3 years or can I just take short term cover until I get there and then sort it in ozz thanks
HiTony, you can check https://www.australia-backpackersguide.com/travel-insurance-australia/
Hi there!
In your article you said:
„Other partner countries (such as Germany) are still in the process to amend the bilateral Working Holiday Maker agreement expanding the eligibility age to 35“
Can you give me some more information on how you know that Germany is already in the process of amending the age limit? I can‘t find anything about that online, it would be amazing!
Thank you!!!
Hi Deniz, other countries are discussing the age limit but nothing has been decided or published so far.
Hi, I’m 32 and from England I haven’t done a working holiday and Australia before, if I apply for the Australian working holiday visa now, would I still be required to do the farm work to extend the visa in the future?
Hi Bill, no as you will need to renew after the new rule enters into force in July 2024. Cheers
Hi, i am a uk citizen and currently 33 years old. I want to apply for the work holiday visa next year, i will be 34 then. When the first visa is issued i will have 12 months in oz and if i am happy there id like to renew it but i will be 35 years old then. Am i allowed to stay for 3 years on a whv consecutively so long as i arrive before im 36 or if i turn 36 in oz i wont be allowed to renew for a 3rd year whv as ill be to old?
Hi Adam, you can apply up until your 36th bday. So once you apply, you have 12 months to enter Australia and then you can decide to renew (but before you turn 36). Cheers
Hi, i’m italian, i have now 35 years old, can i apply for the work holiday 417 now and travel to Australia with 36 years old?
Hi there, yes you can apply until your 36th bday. Once approved you ll have 1 year to enter Australia (you can enter even if you are 36). Cheers and enjoy 🙂
Hi! Thanks for that article!
I’m 31 and Spanish and Brazilian citizenship.
Do I still have any possibility of working visa?
Couldnt find at Aussie government website.
Hi Isabela, You must be aged 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) when you apply.
If you apply for the visa while you are 30, but turn 31 before the government have made a decision, they can still grant you the visa if you meet all other requirements.
Visa granted finally!! I will be working in construction my occupation isn’t on the list can I still aim to getting PR ?
I’ve been checking this site every few days to see if your visa had been granted Tony, glad it finally has!
I’m also looking into PR without any skilled related things – been doing some research but getting mixed answers, with some saying it’s easier than people think while others say it’s almost impossible without a skill on the list or a shed tonne of money.
Hopefully we get sorted mate good luck
I’m praying we do. For a better life, aye!?
Hi everyone! Just been reading through out old messages and stresses about the visa! My 2nd visa got granted in July and I have just booked my flight, landing at the end of Feb! Hope everyone has sorted out their visas and have the best time down under!
Hi everyone has anyone got a email address I can use to contact anyone to chase up my visa as I have been waiting 2 months thanks
Anyone’s visa taking so long ?
I applied for whv on 2nd July they asked for police certificate after I declared a drink driving conviction which is 7 years old and 3 penalty points which are 2 years old I submitted certificate on 9th July which is clean haven’t heard anything since any info peeps please thanks
Hello
I applied for the visa 1st year on immi website, completely upload and payment and i have an email with a ‘granted’ letter and it just says ‘granted’ on my immi account.
I assume this means i now have the visa? Seemed odd because i literally applied and it took no time at all, literally happened instantly as soon as i paid!
Cheers
Hi James. Haven’t been on here in a while. Yes, it does mean you have your visa. Mine took 10 seconds! I had to check as well as I didn’t think it would be approved so quick – a facebook group I’m on saying it was likely auto-approved by the system which I guess means it wasn’t passed on to a human for further inspection.
Can I get a second year visa at 36 if I get my first year at 35 ?
If I get my first year in July 2024 ages 35 can I get my second year ages 36 in 2025 ?
Just says further assessment on immi account
Anyone applied for whv with police certificate submitted mine on the 2nd then uploaded certificate on the 9th July still waiting for response what yas think ??
Anyone no how to get in touch for update on whv I applied on 2nd had to apply police certificate heard nothing as yet or you think it’s a back log thanks peeps
Hi Tony, try through your immiaccount or Vevo. Cheers
Do you no how long it can take to be granted thanks
Hi Tony, really depends, can be a few hours up to a few weeks …
Hi I have applied for whv I declared a drink driving conviction which is 7 years old and 3 penalty points they asked for police certificate I have sent back which is clean as a whistle dose anyone no how long it will take to process and will I be ok for visa ??
Youll be fine mate 2 weeks roughly when i had applied for my 1st visa with a certificate
Hi Adam, it says it on the immigration website and it also says it on the visa itself.
Awesome. One last question, do you need to show proof of the 5k (Aus Dollars) and enough for a return flight in your bank account when applying for the visa or just when you enter Australia?
Hi Adam, you will need to show proof of the funds when applying for the visa. No need to have a return ticket though. Cheers