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.
Australia pays exceedingly well
I don’t know too many people here who are poor or broke. Everyone has a very high standard of living
From what I’ve seen, the jobs over there pay over twice what they do here. Even basic shop work is more money there than here!
Losing Hope: I hope so too! 🙂
Jonny: Are you from the UK? How did you find Australia, is it as nice as people say? Also, my friend is a warehouse supervisor and on about $70k, now I’m a supervisor in a supermarket and on nowhere near aS much as that 🙁
Yeah I’m from UK, Newcastle upon Tyne
I absolutely loved Australia, so laid back and it’s got everything anyone would need!
I did my farm work and I loved the experience! Got to meet so many different people from all over the world and I was making about $1500 per week & considering you can’t spend your money in the outback I was able to save plenty!
When are you thinking of heading over?
Ah cool. Don’t think I’ve heard of anyone anywhere that’s had a bad experience of working in Australia!
Pretty much as soon as the visa age changes, I’m applying for the visa. So hopefully that won’t take too long to be granted then I’ll try and book flights out ASAP.
I want to get the 1st one applied for soon as so I don’t leave it too late to get my 3rd one before I turn 36 if that makes sense.
My friend said if I look for work close to where he is, I could possibly stay in his and his wife’s spare room if I struggle to get sorted myself. I’d rather do it on my own for the experience, but it’s good to know I won’t be totally homeless
I have done my 1st working holiday in Australia already and getting a job was so easy!
This is great news to hear work is available and I can’t wait to get there! I’m staying positive with the visas and hopefully by next month we will know what’s happening!
My best friend went to Australia on 6th November 22, took 2 weeks holiday. In the meantime he applied for 9 jobs I think and had interview offers for 8 of them before taking the one he wanted within a few days.
He’s on really good money.
He just says it’s completely different over there compared to the UK.
Australia is awash with with jobs right now, and the pay is very high.
I hope this deal enters into force very soon, and that you all find work and happiness!
What kind of work is your friend doing, Dan?
Great to hear this kind of news!! Haha
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/australia-reviews-visa-system-as-it-grapples-with-worker-shortage-after-strict-covid-rules-12777750
Review published February!! Let’s get some movement by then!
Definitely looks like it could be promising for the visa changes to happen fairly quickly if Australia are crying out for workers! Fingers crossed!!
Thanks Charles. I have sent an email to him also.
I tried to make a bigger post about this but it’s still awaiting moderation for some reason:
The Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs is Andrew Giles. I suggest we all contact him regarding when the age change will happen. The more people he hears from the more it will be in his mind.
It’s the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) we’re asking about for anyone unsure.
https://www.andrewgiles.com.au/contact/
He is also on Twitter
OK email sent
Just a sea change, I have lived here in Australia my whole life and am bored now. Other than that Australia in my opinion is a much better place to live, the pay is much higher, weather is better etc
Australia is a great place to live. Weather, pay, lifestyle is amazing all year round
It’s very frustrating we have had to wait this long with no clear information of deadline in sight.
I am curious though Losing Hope, why do you want to come to the UK?
I’m just clinging on to hope now, as it’s all I’ve got.
I live with parents at 31 years old, I work a dead end job with no qualifications. Can’t afford to move out and live on my own on just over minimum wage. Credit rating absolutely ruined so will never get a mortgage in my lifetime.
My goal now is to get a WHV (hopefully 3) and pray, and I mean pray I can get sponsorship or the likes to get permanent residency there.
I hate my life at the moment and although Australia might not be for me, I’ll always be wondering what if should I choose not to at least try.
https://www.ft.com/content/d81f6e4c-7716-44c2-a745-2b7a74089ede
UK missed its deadline to close all FTA’s in 2022
Haha, that’s a bit misleading. From the article:
“Britain’s government is poised to miss its target to seal deals covering 80 per cent of its trade with the rest of the world by the end of 2022.”
“… instead the UK has so far only made deals covering just over 60 per cent of its global trade, according to government officials.”
With regard to the UK-Aus FTA we knew a couple of weeks ago that it wouldn’t be going through until 2023.
I agree with Jonny. I think EIF will be sometime between January 9th and the end of March. Some non-emergency bills have gone from second reading in the HoL to Royal Assent on the same day so you never know.
This is the things now, it’s all going to depend on the time between the remaining stages.
Second reading we know is on 9th of January then hopefully the committee stage following shortly after.
The report stage and third reading are usually on the same day.
On other bills, do we know if the considerations for amendments and royal assent to be at the same time?
Fingers crossed that’s what happens. I do think the next couple of months are going to be big for finding out more details and hopefully we get the good news we’re all hoping for.
Looking at what we know, I think the trade deal with enter into force by March 2023 but don’t quote me on this.
Let’s hope so aye Johnny… Fingers and toes crossed
🙂
So, as long as there’s no ammendments to things we could be looking at very early 2023 for the visa changes?
Not trying to get my hopes up but do you guys think things kind of looking promising?
Hey guys, does anyone know if on the new visas there is the same rule of only working for one employer for a maximum of 6 months? Or does this change?
I think I read there was no limit, but I could be wrong if someone want’s to correct me?
They have relaxed the rules until 30/06/2023 so depending when the new rules come into force will determine if this will apply to the new visa 🙂 hope this helps
To add to what Jonny said: From what I understand the two changes are the age increase and the removal of specified work for British citizens. However, it is possible for employers to apply for an exemption if they want to keep you for longer than six months.
I have a proposal for everyone:
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs is Andrew Giles. I propose that we all contact him asking something along the lines of:
“How long after the the UK-Australia FTA enters into force will the age increase to 35 for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) be made for British citizens?”
Maybe we should also mention that there are a lot of us keen to come and work in Australia. Given what Bradley learned from the British Government – that the visa changes will be at Australia’s discretion – Andrew Giles should have the most accurate information. It will also be good for him to realise that there are people out there who want these changes to happen ASAP. Never underestimate the power of a noisy minority!
So there you go. Tweet him, email him, call him and ask your friends and family to do the same. You never know, a little bit of effort on our part might make all the difference and have us all where we want to be in a month or two.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewjgiles
Email: andrew.giles.mp@aph.gov.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewGilesScullin
Electoral Office Telephone: +61 (03) 9497 9783
Parliament Office Telephone: +61 (02) 6277 7770
Done 🙂
It’s also worth noting that some bills can go from Second Reading in the HoL to Royal Assent in less than a week. So that’s something else to remain optimistic about.
Definitely 🙂
I’ve just trawled through all the bills currently tabled in the House of Lords and the first one they will be working on when they return from their holiday is the Trade Bill. I’m taking this as another positive sign. If there are no amendments made to the bill in the HoL it could go through much quicker than it did in the HoC.
Where I did my research:
https://bills.parliament.uk/
Hi Charles,
I also noticed on the UK gov website the most recent update on 9/12/22 and quotes:
Once the FTAs take effect, businesses and citizens all around the UK can start to feel the benefits, including:
new rules making it easier for Brits to live, travel and work in Australia and New Zealand.
No mention of it being within 2 years etc
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/australia-and-new-zealand-trade-bill-explainer/australia-and-new-zealand-trade-bill-explainer-web-version#:~:text=The%20Trade%20(Australia%20and%20New,its%20own%20independent%20trade%20policy.
Interesting. I had a bit of a dig on the “Benefits of the FTA” page that links to and couldn’t find anything regarding the 417 visa. Hopefully it’s a good sign.
Everything is still “if” and “maybe”. This is really becoming farcical
I didn’t speak to a member of the government just someone who works in the deptartment of immigration call center. They couldn’t really tell me more than the information they were given.
As you’re in Australia maybe you could ask your local politician what’s going on. They might give some more clarity to the situation and it would be very helpful for us all to know what they say.
I called the Australian immigration office yesterday. They couldn’t tell me much but did say that the visa changes will happen within two years of December 2021. I’m taking that as another good sign.
I got through to someone immediately. Should anyone else wish to call them to show more people are interested their numbers are:
In Australia
Phone: 131 881
Outside Australia
Phone: +61 2 6196 0196
I think I used extensions 1 then 3.
According to the website you can contact them “Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm your local time”. So anyone in the UK shouldn’t need to worry about time differences.
Thanks for calling them Charles! At least it gives us confidence the changes will happen in 2023.
I will try and give them a call as well and see if I get the same answer 🙂
Cool, thanks Jonny! I’m interested to hear what they tell you.
An email someone (I think it was Bradley) received from the British government implied that the decision on the date of the changes was mostly up to Australia. Given how desperate they are for workers at the moment I’m expecting it to work in our favour.
I agree Jonny. I’m also optimistic it will happen soon after EIF.
We just need to stay positive and hope both governments agree that the visa changes happening fast are a good move on both parties. 🙂
I’m from Australia. That change of age to 50 won’t happen anytime soon (if at all). The tourism board has no voice in Australia. They cried during the harsh lockdowns here in Australia and still nothing was done. I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Lets concentrate our efforts into the 35 age increase. That’s what’s important
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1713930/Ian-Botham-Brexit-George-Eustice-Australia-trade-deal-economy
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1713930/Ian-Botham-Brexit-George-Eustice-Australia-trade-deal-economy
One positive article about the UK australia FTA
Thanks for sharing 🙂