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.
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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.
Merry Christmas everyone.
I’ve included a link to that article. It looks like they’re getting through the the applications very fast at the moment which is good news for when the age increases.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/dec/26/australias-tourism-body-wants-to-lift-working-holiday-visa-age-limit-to-50
When I see news like this it makes me question why they would wait up to 2 years to make the changes after EIF… Don’t want to get ahead of myself but this is a positive thing for us I hope
Hope everyone had a good Christmas and if you’re like me, hope it’s the last one in the country you are in. 🙂
Merry Christmas Dan
Hopefully in the next few months we will all be able to apply for our visas and celebrate!
I actually just read an article in the guardian and Australia want to increase the age limit to 50 haha!?
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade/U.K.-pushes-Indo-Pacific-trade-deals-to-next-year-as-dissent-grows
UK government asleep at the wheel
The government also said it would be done by July 2022 but alas it wasn’t. You have to take everything they say with a grain of salt
To be fair, it was in the media but nothing in the government websites stated July 2022 but I know what you mean, a lot of kicking the can!
I have just emailed scrutiny@parliament.uk and expressed strong urgency on the visa changes to happen. Worth putting it out there so they know people want it to happen asap
You’re right Jonny, it was the media (including this site) that was claiming July 2022. When you do a bit of digging you find they provided no evidence to support this and it was just speculation.
That’s a good idea. I’ll email them too.
Looks like the final working day of 2022 yielded no results in the UK parliament
An arduous wait lies ahead
Hey, the 2nd readings for both bills are on 9th January.
The government’s have said they expect the deal to EIF in the first quarter of 2023 so by 31/03/23.
I’m leaving the UK in January and travelling around South East Asia and hoping the changes will be made while I’m travelling.
It’s frustrating we have to wait but fingers crossed over the next couple of months everything is finalised.
Need it to get done ASAP. Been waiting since December last year
I don’t know what you mean by soon. But within the next few months would seem to be realistic from my understanding of things.
I don’t see this getting done anytime soon based on how everything else has been handled
I don’t want to get anybody’s hopes up but it’s worth keeping in mind that the UK and Australia don’t actually need the FTA to enter into force for them to increase the age on the WHV. The Procurement and Trade bills are required to allow trade to be carried out under the terms of the FTA but the visa age increase is an additional component of the deal that doesn’t require any new legislation. Look at the increases for Italy and Denmark in July.
Just something to think and maybe contact your local politician about.
I didn’t know this! Is this why the visa age change could take a long time then?
Why wouldn’t they just change it once the deal goes through?
Well explained there Charles. It’s just the when we are all eagerly waiting for nkw
I agree, it is wonderful because this has had zero impact on the FTA.
First, he’s an MP which means he’s in the House of Commons. The HoC has already passed the Aus/NZ Trade Bill. So his vote against it did nothing.
Second, the UK cannot pull out of this deal now without becoming a pariah. They will cause serious damage to their negotiating power in any deals they are currently working on and any they may want in the future. Their opposites from potential trade partners will be able to come to every negotiation able to demand very favourable terms as they will be able say that the UK has a record of pulling out of deals and can’t be trusted.
This trade deal is happening. The only thing we need to be interested in now is when.
Losing hope – in the link you shared It says only one voted against it?
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/23188805.tim-farron-mp-votes-trade-deals/
Some UK ministers have voted against the Australia FTA. Wonderful…
I’m 31 and I’m in australia just now on a working holiday visa. Could I do my 88 days and apply for my second year?
Hi Daniel, which passport do you hold? If you are from UK the FTA has not entered into force yet… so you wont be able to apply for a second year until it is the case. Cheers
The second reading of the Procurement Bill in the HoC is also set for the 9th of January. Looks like the government decided they needed a nice long holiday before they did any more work on either of these bills haha.
Yep very disappointed
HOL second reading is booked for 9th January
Was hoping for before Xmas! Best case we’re looking at is probably Feb at this rate! Snails pace
Right I understand now.
Let’s hope it gets through on Monday
There are two bills currently tabled that will allow the British Govt to ratify the FTA when one of them is passed: The Trade Bill and the Procurement Bill. The former started in the HoC the latter in the HoL. Once a bill is passed by one house it has to then be passed by the other before getting royal assent.
The Trade Bill is the furthest along as it was passed in the HoC this week and is now going through the same process in the HoL.
Thanks Charles
Just to clarify, house of commons stage is before house of Lords? How can the FTA be ratified at the house of common stage?
Posted on the 9th. Might explain why things have jumped forward a bit this week:
“Mr Farrell is also heading to London over the weekend, and hopes that come Monday he will be watching the House of Commons finally ratify the Australia-UK FTA, which has been delayed by Britain’s extended bout of political turmoil.”
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/australia-in-six-month-sprint-for-an-eu-trade-deal-20221209-p5c4y3
Well, I think there’s no need to lose hope as this will definitely get done. Just not before Christmas by the looks of it. If anything now is the time to have more hope than ever before.
Hey Guys,
Big thanks to those of you posting updates and info, I’m another eagerly awaiting the age change and have been viewing this page often. In regards to the readings in the house of lords, do we know how many of those are required? The 2nd being scheduled for 9th Jan, do we think that is the final reading and final remaining stage of this process?
Thanks again to all of you, as Ellie said it’s comforting to know there are so many of us in the same position 🙂
Thanks all for sharing info on this page!
Yep.
Hence my username. This is dragging on
I’ve just found this thread and I’ve found it really useful. Fingers crossed the age limit increases in the first half of next year..
Yes definitely ! Thanks guys for sharing !